unit 10 - lecture notes

Question 1

When understanding the history of human sexuality, the Victorian era stood for what? What were the two main points made regarding the discussion of sexuality?

Answer 1

The era was known as sexual repression; how we unconsciously control ourselves.

Main Ideas:
1. Sex was bad and anything hinting to sexuality was to be avoided.
2. There was the existence of a double standard because although sex was taboo, prostitution flourished.

Question 2

When understanding sexuality within the Victorian era, how were women viewed? How were men?

Answer 2

Women - seen as having no interest and no pleasure in sex.
Men - assumed they were drained of vital fluid upon ejaculation.

Question 3

When understanding the history of human sexuality, the 1960s and 70s were viewed as what? What are the two major ideas to come from this?

Answer 3

Viewed as Revolution; fighting for the freedom for sex as well as from the rules.

Main Ideas:
1. Lots of major social upheavals during this time; birth control became widely available.
2. This was the time of the “human potential movement”; More sexual experimentation and the mentality of “if it feels good then why refrain?”

Question 4

When understanding the history of human sexuality, the 1980s and 90s are seen as what? What is the main idea to come from this period?

Answer 4

This was the reaction to the revolution of the 60s and 70s; the beginning of a desire for freedom of choice to or not to engage in a liberated sexuality.

Main Idea:
There was significant disillusionment in terms of impersonal sex; beginning to understand risks.

Question 5

When understanding the history of human sexuality, the 2000s up until now stands for what? What are the two main ideas to come from this period so far?

Answer 5

This era is of rethinking; there are mentalities of both a desire for freedom from sexual repression as well as a desire for freedom from the pressures of hookup culture.

Main Ideas:
1. Widespread hookup culture
2. Era of open marriage and polyamory

Question 6

In understanding the sexual spectrum, intersex people are in a tough position. why?

Answer 6

North American culture has categories of masculine and feminine and there are sexual scripts that are attached to them. These scripts do not fit with Intersex people and yet intersex people are often forcibly silenced regarding their experience.

Question 7

Regarding sexuality as a spectrum an article, from nature by Claire Ainsworth, is valuable for the discovery of what two genes?

Answer 7

1. WNT4 - gene that promotes ovarian development
2. RSPO1 - results in a female having both ovarian and testicular development.

Question 8

The research done by Claire Ainsworth regarding genes is important why?

Answer 8

The discoveries point to a complex process of sex determination in which the identity is a contest between two opposing networks of gene activity.

Question 9

When understanding human sexuality, what process performed by individual cells affect a person’s sexuality?

Answer 9

Microchimaerism - stem cells from a fetus cross the placenta into the mother’s body and vice versa.

Question 10

Sexual scripts inform a person of what two things?

Answer 10

1. They tell us whom or what we should find attractive
2. When and where it is appropriate to be aroused

Question 11

Sexual arousal is guided by scripts that tell us what?

Answer 11

In relation to sex, these scripts tell us who, what, where, when, and why.

Question 12

What is permissible in the world of sex?

Answer 12

What is permissible varies according to culture; it is highly culturally located.

Question 13

Historically, sexual scripts vary for men and women. Specify the difference?

Answer 13

• Men were expected to have multiple partners, be experienced, be sexually active, dominant etc
• Women were considered to be whores if they had multiple partners or enjoyed sex.

Question 14

Pornography is dangerous for 8 reasons, what are the reasons? If needed, briefly explain.

Answer 14

1. It skews sexual reality
2. Porn renders violence invisible
3. It’s addictive
4. It is the current sex education because of the rate of consumption
5. It harms relationships - real life partners will often appear less attractive
6. Women are turned into objects
7. Creates a female appearance obsession
8. Reinforces “spectatoring” - Teaches the consumer to wash themselves as part of their sexual experience

Question 15

What is the direct result of consuming pornography?

Answer 15

Sex becomes how it looks and how it’s done
rather than
how it feels and what it means.

Question 16

The Maltz Hierarchy, developed by Wendy Maltz, explores what?

Answer 16

It explores the content and meaning of sexuality.

Question 17

Wendy Maltz made two main observations when creating the Maltz Hierarchy, what are the two observations?

Answer 17

1. Sexual energy is a neutral force.
2. Depending on an individual’s cultural context and socialization, the previous observation may not have been taught

It’s either a powerful, negative energy that needs to be controlled
or
it doesn’t need to be controlled at all.

Question 18

There are 3 positive levels of Maltz’s hierarchy, what is each level called and what is something notable about each one?

Answer 18

Level +3
“Authentic Sexual Intimacy” - Much deeper emotional openness and honesty; people in the world together.
Level +2
“Making Love Manifest” - Sexual exchange is focused on pleasuring the other and the self.
Level +1
“Positive Role Fulfillment” - Sex is a physical release; positive self gratification.

Question 19

There are three negative levels of Malta’s hierarchy, what are they called and what is something notable about each one?

Answer 19

Level -3
“Violent Interaction” - Sex is a physical expression of hostility
Level -2
“Abusive Interactions” - Sexual acts can be degrading, depersonalizing, and dehumanizing
Level -1
“Impersonal Interaction” - Emotionally closed off to the other

Question 20

There are technically seven levels of Maltz’s hierarchy, one has not been mentioned. Which one is unmentioned?

Answer 20

Level/Ground 0 - NETURAL Area

Sexual experiences can become increasingly positive or increasingly negative.