PSYO 353 MIDTERM 1 HUMAN SEXUALITY
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
What is sexuality? - Answers - Everything that encompasses the process of
reproduction. From the biological standpoint to the psychological standpoint. Everything
that encompasses the idea of sex.
When were men and women more certain the behaviour counted as "having sex" in the
first reading - Answers - They were more certain behavior counted as "having sex"
when considering their partner's behavior outside of the relationship vs their own
What variables affected the participants answers in the study from the first reading? -
Answers - -Order (i.e. self versus partner) affected participants certainty
-Less certain for self before, rather than after rating, for partner
-Individuals consider a variety of contextual factors when making these definitional
decisions
-Not cheating/ not if it would upset them
Multidisciplinary approach to sexuality - Answers - -Physiological and comparative
psychologists (neuroscientists)
-Sexology as opposed to different disciplines
-Other fields have contributed
-Literature, art, philosophy, religion, history
Societal attitudes toward sexuality - Answers - - Ambivalent at best (shame, e.x. why
are you taking that course on sexuality?)
-Sex is an emotionally-charged issue
-Many disagree on aspects of sexuality i.e. abortion
Perspectives on sexuality - Answers - Examine from different angles
-Tendency to simplify what are very complex issues
-Caution you against this tendency because this leads to distortion and
misrepresentation of the facts
-Relationship of biological to social/ cultural factors
-Evolution as unifying principle
- Commonality of organisms
-Looking for basic principles
Productive approach to sexuality - Answers - There is information that is useful to us
there helps us to understand function and biological questions
-Limitations to cross-species findings
-Must be demonstrated in humans too
-Metaphor is dangerous
, - "unnatural" behaviours are often "natural" (in nature)
What functions does sexual behaviour serve? - Answers - Relieve sexual tension
-Emotional component: love affection i.e. "****ing" vs "making love"
Nonsexual purposes
-Self-doubts of worth/ power
-Moral or spiritual identity
Cohesive force that binds family unit (sex is for procreation, for making a family)
-Can also be a divisive force (one unfaithful partner)
Form of social communication
-Affection/ love but also anger/ hatred
Social status
-Anthropology; universals
-Cross cultural perspective; diversity of sexual that is out there
Meston and Buss (2007- archives of sexual behavior)
Why do humans have sex? - Answers - -Physical reasons: stress reduction, pleasure,
physical desirability, experience seeking
-Goal attainment: resources, social status, revenge
-Emotional: love and commitment, expression
-Insecurity: self-esteem boost, duty/pressure, mate guarding
Sexual Representations - Answers - Some of the earliest artifacts that we have when
looking at history
-More meaning attached than "just sex" (values and ideas that are assigned with sex)
i.e. Enlarged penises in statues, women with enlarged breasts, wide hips, protruding
buttocks
fertility symbols - Answers - promote fecundity within human group
-animal herds (baboons have reddening of the vagina and the vulva)
-wild & domestic
-sex had magical qualities - many other qualities prescribed to it over time
sex as a way to placate and communicate with the forces of nature - Answers - -could
offend the supernatural (taking part in acts at a certain time you should not be)
-consequences
-volcanos, floods, famine, disease
-inhibitions & prohibitions
-sex as a sacred act with cosmic overtones
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
What is sexuality? - Answers - Everything that encompasses the process of
reproduction. From the biological standpoint to the psychological standpoint. Everything
that encompasses the idea of sex.
When were men and women more certain the behaviour counted as "having sex" in the
first reading - Answers - They were more certain behavior counted as "having sex"
when considering their partner's behavior outside of the relationship vs their own
What variables affected the participants answers in the study from the first reading? -
Answers - -Order (i.e. self versus partner) affected participants certainty
-Less certain for self before, rather than after rating, for partner
-Individuals consider a variety of contextual factors when making these definitional
decisions
-Not cheating/ not if it would upset them
Multidisciplinary approach to sexuality - Answers - -Physiological and comparative
psychologists (neuroscientists)
-Sexology as opposed to different disciplines
-Other fields have contributed
-Literature, art, philosophy, religion, history
Societal attitudes toward sexuality - Answers - - Ambivalent at best (shame, e.x. why
are you taking that course on sexuality?)
-Sex is an emotionally-charged issue
-Many disagree on aspects of sexuality i.e. abortion
Perspectives on sexuality - Answers - Examine from different angles
-Tendency to simplify what are very complex issues
-Caution you against this tendency because this leads to distortion and
misrepresentation of the facts
-Relationship of biological to social/ cultural factors
-Evolution as unifying principle
- Commonality of organisms
-Looking for basic principles
Productive approach to sexuality - Answers - There is information that is useful to us
there helps us to understand function and biological questions
-Limitations to cross-species findings
-Must be demonstrated in humans too
-Metaphor is dangerous
, - "unnatural" behaviours are often "natural" (in nature)
What functions does sexual behaviour serve? - Answers - Relieve sexual tension
-Emotional component: love affection i.e. "****ing" vs "making love"
Nonsexual purposes
-Self-doubts of worth/ power
-Moral or spiritual identity
Cohesive force that binds family unit (sex is for procreation, for making a family)
-Can also be a divisive force (one unfaithful partner)
Form of social communication
-Affection/ love but also anger/ hatred
Social status
-Anthropology; universals
-Cross cultural perspective; diversity of sexual that is out there
Meston and Buss (2007- archives of sexual behavior)
Why do humans have sex? - Answers - -Physical reasons: stress reduction, pleasure,
physical desirability, experience seeking
-Goal attainment: resources, social status, revenge
-Emotional: love and commitment, expression
-Insecurity: self-esteem boost, duty/pressure, mate guarding
Sexual Representations - Answers - Some of the earliest artifacts that we have when
looking at history
-More meaning attached than "just sex" (values and ideas that are assigned with sex)
i.e. Enlarged penises in statues, women with enlarged breasts, wide hips, protruding
buttocks
fertility symbols - Answers - promote fecundity within human group
-animal herds (baboons have reddening of the vagina and the vulva)
-wild & domestic
-sex had magical qualities - many other qualities prescribed to it over time
sex as a way to placate and communicate with the forces of nature - Answers - -could
offend the supernatural (taking part in acts at a certain time you should not be)
-consequences
-volcanos, floods, famine, disease
-inhibitions & prohibitions
-sex as a sacred act with cosmic overtones
