Week 1 Mock exam questions Flashcards
L1a: What was one of the significant contributions of Alfred Kinsey to the field of sexology post-World War II?
o A. Introducing the concept of gender identity
o B. Developing the human sexual response cycle
o C. Removing homosexuality from the DSM
o D. Studying the full spectrum of human sexual behaviors objectively
Answer: D. Studying the full spectrum of human sexual behaviors objectively
Explanation: Alfred Kinsey’s work post-World War II was notable for its objective study of human sexual behaviors, including controversial topics such as masturbation, orgasm, and homosexuality. His approach moved away from moral judgments and provided a broader understanding of human sexuality.
L1a: Which of the following best describes the shift in understanding sexuality from the early 1900s to the 1940s?
o A. From biological to psychological perspectives
o B. From religious-moral to medical-psychiatric perspectives
o C. From societal norms to individual behavior perspectives
o D. From gender roles to sexual orientation perspectives
Answer: B. From religious-moral to medical-psychiatric perspectives
Explanation: During the early 1900s to the 1940s, there was a significant shift in the understanding of sexuality from a religious and moral framework to a more medical and psychiatric perspective. This period marked the beginning of sexology as a scientific study, moving away from religious explanations of sexuality.
L1a: Which feminist work in the 1973-2000 period focused on sexual violence and inequality?
o A. Simone de Beauvoir’s “La deuxieme sexe”
o B. Masters & Johnson’s research
o C. Shere Hite’s research
o D. Helen O’Connell’s anatomical studies
Answer: C. Shere Hite’s research
Explanation: Shere Hite’s work during the 1973-2000 period brought significant attention to issues of sexual violence and inequality. Her research, along with that of other feminists like Susan Brownmiller, emphasized the social constructs surrounding sexuality and the importance of addressing these inequalities.
L1a: What recent development in sexology involved a breakthrough in understanding female sexual anatomy?
o A. The discovery of the human sexual response cycle
o B. The development of the Kinsey scale
o C. The full anatomical mapping of the clitoris
o D. The removal of homosexuality from the DSM
Answer: C. The full anatomical mapping of the clitoris
Explanation: A significant recent development in sexology was the full anatomical mapping of the clitoris, completed by Helen O’Connell in 1998 and 2005. This discovery has contributed to a deeper understanding of female sexual pleasure and anatomy.
L1a: Discuss the evolution of the study of sexuality from the early 1900s to the present day. What are the major shifts and who were some key figures involved?
o A. The shift from religious-moral perspectives to medical-psychiatric perspectives, with key figures such as Iwan Bloch and Magnus Hirschfeld.
o B. The post-World War II transition to a multidisciplinary approach, with contributions from Alfred Kinsey and John Money.
o C. The 1960s sexual liberation movement, characterized by Masters & Johnson’s research on the human sexual response cycle.
o D. The rise of social-constructivist views in the 1973-2000 period, including the removal of homosexuality from the DSM and the work of Shere Hite.
Explanation: The study of sexuality has evolved significantly from the early 1900s to today. Initially, it moved from religious-moral perspectives to medical-psychiatric approaches, with foundational work by Iwan Bloch and Magnus Hirschfeld. Post-World War II, Alfred Kinsey and John Money introduced a multidisciplinary approach, broadening the understanding of human sexual behavior and gender identity. The 1960s saw a focus on the physical aspects of sex through Masters & Johnson’s work, while the period from 1973 to 2000 brought social-constructivist perspectives to the forefront, challenging earlier views and emphasizing sexual equality and violence. Key milestones include the full anatomical mapping of the clitoris by Helen O’Connell and ongoing research into female sexual arousal and pleasure.
Bullough: 1. Who were the primary proponents of sex research between 1890 and 1940?
o A) Psychologists specializing in questionnaires
o B) Social scientists with extensive field studies
o C) Physicians with expertise in bodily functions
o D) Biologists with a focus on animal behavior
Answer: C) Physicians with expertise in bodily functions
Explanation: The article explains that from 1890 to 1940, physicians were the main proponents of sex research due to their expertise in bodily functions, despite their limited specialized knowledge in sexuality.
Bullough: 2. What methodological approach did Alfred Kinsey prefer for collecting data on sexual behavior?
o A) Laboratory experiments
o B) Self-administered questionnaires
o C) Personal interviews
o D) Anthropological reports
Answer: C) Personal interviews
Explanation: Kinsey preferred personal interviews for collecting data on sexual behavior, as he believed they were essential for gathering accurate data and distrusted the reliability of self-administered questionnaires.
Bullough: 3. What was one significant criticism of the early 20th-century psychiatric studies on sexuality?
o A) They focused too heavily on statistical sampling methods
o B) They often considered homosexuality an illness
o C) They involved too many social scientists
o D) They were too transparent in their funding processes
Answer: B) They often considered homosexuality an illness
Explanation: The article notes that early 20th-century psychiatric studies, particularly those with psychoanalytic training, were flawed by biased assumptions, including the view that homosexuality was an illness.
Bullough: 4. How did Kinsey’s work impact societal perceptions of female sexuality?
o A) It reinforced traditional views of female chastity
o B) It had no significant impact on societal views
o C) It helped shift perceptions and encouraged further research
o D) It mainly focused on male sexual behavior
Answer: C) It helped shift perceptions and encouraged further research
Explanation: Kinsey’s research challenged societal views on female sexuality and encouraged further studies in the field, contributing to a broader understanding and more open discussions of female sexual behavior.
Bullough: Explain how Alfred Kinsey’s background and approach differed from traditional sex researchers before him, and discuss the long-term impact of his contributions to the field of sex research.
Alfred Kinsey differed from traditional sex researchers in that he was primarily a biologist specializing in gall wasps before turning his attention to human sexuality. Unlike earlier researchers who were mainly physicians with a moralistic approach or psychiatrists with biased views, Kinsey approached sex research scientifically. He focused on classification and description rather than moral judgment, conducting personal interviews to gather data on sexual behavior. This method helped reduce biases inherent in self-administered questionnaires.
Kinsey’s work had a profound long-term impact on the field of sex research. He challenged societal assumptions about sexual behaviors, including taboo topics such as homosexuality and female sexuality. His research helped shift public perceptions, sparking discussions and debates that led to more open attitudes towards sexuality. Furthermore, Kinsey aimed to establish sex research as a scientific discipline, founding a significant library and an institution dedicated to the study of sex. Despite controversies and criticisms, his legacy endures, influencing contemporary sexual studies, public attitudes, and social movements for gender and sexual equality.
Laan: According to the article, what role does gender equality play in sexual desire, specifically in the context of the research conducted in Denmark?
A. Gender equality has no impact on sexual desire.
B. Gender equality increases men’s sexual desire but decreases women’s desire.
C. Gender equality makes the endorsement of gendered cultural scripts the sole predictor of lower desire for sex.
D. Gender equality decreases both men’s and women’s sexual desire.
Answer: C. Gender equality makes the endorsement of gendered cultural scripts the sole predictor of lower desire for sex.
Explanation: In Denmark, where gender equality is high, women who follow (endorse) traditional gender roles (gendered cultural scripts) tend to have lower sexual desire. This shows that societal norms and beliefs play a big role in influencing sexual desire in places with more gender equality.
Laan: What is the ‘coital imperative,’ and how does it affect women’s sexual pleasure according to the article?
A. The belief that sex must involve clitoral stimulation, enhancing women’s pleasure.
B. The emphasis on penile-vaginal intercourse as the primary sexual activity, limiting women’s opportunities for pleasure.
C. A cultural norm prioritizing foreplay over intercourse, increasing women’s pleasure.
D. The assumption that men should always initiate sex, reducing women’s desire for sex.
Answer: B. The emphasis on penile-vaginal intercourse as the primary sexual activity, limiting women’s opportunities for pleasure.
Explanation: The ‘coital imperative’ refers to the societal emphasis on penile-vaginal intercourse as the primary form of sexual activity. This perspective limits women’s opportunities for sexual pleasure because it often overlooks the importance of clitoral stimulation, which is crucial for many women to experience orgasm.
Laan: How does the article describe the relationship between sexual pleasure and health indicators, particularly for women?
A. Sexual pleasure has no significant correlation with health indicators for women.
B. Sexual pleasure negatively impacts health indicators for women.
C. Sexual pleasure is positively correlated with various health indicators, especially for women.
D. Sexual pleasure only affects mental health indicators for women.
Answer: C. Sexual pleasure is positively correlated with various health indicators, especially for women.
Explanation: The article highlights that recent surveys show sexual pleasure correlates with various health indicators, particularly for women. This correlation underscores the importance of sexual pleasure in contributing to overall well-being and health.
Laan: 4. What societal factors are identified in the article as contributing to the gender gap in sexual pleasure?
A. Only biological differences between men and women.
B. Primarily biological factors, with minimal societal influence.
C. Societal norms, cultural expectations, and gendered sexual scripts.
D. Economic status and access to healthcare exclusively.
Answer: C. Societal norms, cultural expectations, and gendered sexual scripts.
Explanation: The article identifies societal norms, cultural expectations, and gendered sexual scripts as significant factors contributing to the gender gap in sexual pleasure. These factors influence how individuals experience and express sexual pleasure, often limiting opportunities for women compared to men.
Laan: 5. Discuss the main reasons the article provides for why women experience less sexual pleasure and more pain during sex compared to men. Include at least three specific factors mentioned in the article.
The article provides several reasons for why women experience less sexual pleasure and more pain during sex compared to men:
1. Cultural and Societal Norms: Traditional and religious cultures often prioritize men’s pleasure over women’s, linking men’s pleasure directly to reproductive success. This societal focus on men’s sexual satisfaction can lead to neglect of women’s sexual needs and experiences.
2. The Coital Imperative: This societal emphasis on penile-vaginal intercourse as the primary sexual activity limits opportunities for women’s sexual pleasure. The lack of clitoral stimulation, which is crucial for many women to orgasm, results in a significant orgasm gap between men and women.
3. Painful Sex (Dyspareunia): A high prevalence of painful sex among women, especially young women, is noted. Many women perceive pain during sex as normal and continue sexual activity despite discomfort, often due to societal pressures, fear of partner rejection, or the belief that their partner’s pleasure is more important than their own.
4. Sexual Violence and Safety Concerns: High rates of sexual violence against women and girls contribute to negative sexual experiences. Additionally, societal messages about the importance of penile-vaginal intercourse and the stigma surrounding female sexuality can exacerbate feelings of fear and discomfort during sex.
These factors collectively create a sexual environment where women are less likely to experience pleasure and more likely to encounter pain and dissatisfaction during sexual activities.