Chapter 2: Theoretical Approaches to Studying Sexuality

Question 1

The Oedipus complex is related to which psychological theory?

a) Psychodynamic
b) Learning theory
c) Social exchange theory
d) Cognitive theory

Answer 1

a) Psychodynamic theory

Question 2

Which statement best reflects the research of cognitive theorists?

a) Fetishes develop from prior frequent masturbation with an arousing object such as feathers, leather, or lace underwear
b) The pleasure of orgasm is a powerful reinforcer for sexual desire and arousal
c) Feelings of anxiety and distress can exacerbate erectile problems
d) Intervention programs and celebrity endorsements that promote sexual consent and sexual respect for all, appears to lower rates of sexual assault on university campuses

Answer 2

c) Feelings of anxiety and distress can exacerbate erectile problems

Question 3

Social learning theory acknowledges _______ but also goes further to suggest that _______

a) Freud’s psychoanalytical theories; behaviour is learned by reading sexually explicit materials
b) The principals of operant conditioning; behaviour is learned by observing other people’s behaviours, attitudes, and outcomes
c) Classical conditioning; gender and sexual orientations are learned behaviours
d) The principles of operant conditioning; behaviour is not learned but genetic

Answer 3

b) The principals of operant conditioning; behaviour is learned by observing other people’s behaviours, attitudes, and outcomes

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of operant conditioning?

a) A person might evaluate their current sexual relationship compared to other available options for a sexual relationship
b) Viewing online pornography at work can have serious negative consequences if caught
c) There is strong evidence sexual orientation has a genetic basis
d) Worrying about the risk of an unplanned pregnancy reduces sexual pleasure for women

Answer 4

b) Viewing online pornography at work can have serious negative consequences if caught

Question 5

Which of the following sayings is consistent with cognitive theory?

a) Monkey see, monkey do
b) You say one thing but mean your mother
c) Men build society and society builds men
d) It’s all in your head

Answer 5

d) It’s all in your head

Question 6

Which biological theory of sexuality best explains Klinefelter’s syndrome?

a) Genetic theory
b) Sociobiological theory
c) Evolutionary psychology theory
d) Sexual strategies theory

Answer 6

a) Genetic theory

Question 7

Sociobiological theory suggests _______

a) Reproduction takes an equal investment from both males and females and thus there is little difference in long-term and short-term sexual strategies between men and women in heterosexual relationships
b) Reproduction takes a greater investment of time and effort from a female than from a male and thus short-term and long-term mating strategies are different between men and women in heterosexual relationships
c) Reproduction has no effect on long-term and short-term sexual strategies for men and women
d) reproduction takes a greater investment of time and effort from a male and thus the male will be less likely to engage in short-term or casual relationships incorrect

Answer 7

b) Reproduction takes a greater investment of time and effort from a female than from a male and thus short-term and long-term mating strategies are different between men and women in heterosexual relationships

Question 8

The dual control model of sexuality _______

a) Is a theory that suggests sexual response is influenced by both biological and psychological factors
b) Assumes most human sexual arousal occurs in the presence of a sex partner
c) Has been proven wrong by more current human sexuality research incorrect
d) Falls under the larger theoretical umbrella of evolutionary psychology incorrect

Answer 8

a) Is a theory that suggests sexual response is influenced by both biological and psychological factors

Question 9

Which of the following is one of the tenets of sexual strategies theory?

a) Men and women dedicate the same time to short-term mating strategies due to symmetry in parental investment
b) Short-term mating and long-term mating strategies require similar problems to be overcome
c) There are two reproductive constraints on women for short-term mating: extracting resources immediately and assessing prospective long-term mates
d) All of the above are tenets of sexual strategies theory

Answer 9

c) There are two reproductive constraints on women for short-term mating: extracting resources immediately and assessing prospective long-term mates

Question 10

Which of the following statements is not true of the sociological theory of sexuality?

a) Sexuality is heavily regulated by genes, neurons, and evolution
b) This theory highlights the importance of social institutions, such as religion in regulating sexuality
c) Sexuality is influenced by family ties and kinship
d) Culture and location of upbringing influences a person’s emerging sexuality

Answer 10

a) Sexuality is heavily regulated by genes, neurons, and evolution

Question 11

Identify the four levels of influence described by the ecological model

a) Microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, and macrosystem
b) Microsystem, intersystem, exosystem, and magnosystem
c) Introsystem, mesosystem, microsystem, and macrosystem incorrect
d) Nanosystem, microsystem, exosystem, and intrasystem

Answer 11

a) Microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, and macrosystem

Question 12

The Quiet Revolution of the early-mid 1960’s results in _______

a) An increasingly positive view that the Catholic Church was evolving into a more progressive and modern institution, especially in Quebec
b) A much greater adherence to traditional Catholic values and ideas
c) A significant reduction in the number of young Quebec men entering priesthood
d) An increase in Quebec couples rejecting formal marriage and instead live in civil unions

Answer 12

d) An increase in Quebec couples rejecting formal marriage and instead live in civil unions

Question 13

Which theory believes that sexuality is socially constructed and studies the inequalities of relationships between men and women?

a) Queer theory
b) Motivational theory
c) Feminist theory
d) Lesbian theory

Answer 13

c) Feminist theory

Question 14

Psychodynamic theory

Answer 14

Freud

Attempts to explain the conscious and unconscious psychological forces that underlie human personality, motivation, and behaviour

It is the theoretical framework explaining human psychosexual development

Question 15

This theory suggests that the inability to resolve the Oedipus or Electra complex will result in problems with gender-role identification, with adult intimate relationships, and with learning to delay gratification

Answer 15

Psychodynamic theory

Question 16

Freudian psychosexual stages of development

Answer 16

Oral 
Anal 
Phallic 
Latency 
Genital

Question 17

According to operant conditioning, sex is a _________ reinforcer and a behaviour that can be shaped by rewards and punishments

Answer 17

primary

Question 18

According to this theory that is based on principals of operant conditioning but recognizes importance of social and environmental factors, high levels of sexual self-efficacy have been associated with positive sexual adjustment and sexual satisfaction

Answer 18

Social learning theory

Question 19

According to this theory, people try to maximize rewards and minimize costs in any relationship

Answer 19

Social exchange theory

Question 20

According to this theory, feelings of anxiety and distress can exacerbate erectile problems

Answer 20

Cognitive theory

Question 21

This theory applies evolutionary biology to explain social behaviours

Answer 21

Sociobiological theory

Question 22

Sexual strategies theory

Answer 22

Suggests that the mating behaviours exhibited by men and women are strategic and evolved to solve specific mating problems that our ancestors faced

Developed to explain the differences in male mating styles and female mating styles

Question 23

The dual control model of sexuality

Answer 23

Each persons sexual responses involve an interaction between sexual excitatory and sexual inhibitory neurobiological processes which are influenced by neurobiological, environmental, and cultural processes

Question 24

This theory suggests that there are specific sequences of behaviours based on societal beliefs and values that individuals consider appropriate for particular sexual situations

Answer 24

Social script theory, specifically, traditional sexual script

Question 25

Consider sexual function and how this variable can be influenced by a variety of factors in a person’s life according to the ecological model

Answer 25

Microsystem - an individual’s psychological wellbeing and sexual satisfaction

Mesosystem - partner characteristics, relationship status, relationship satisfaction, etc.

Exosystem - social support of the relationship

Macrosystem - dominant culture, norms, etc.

Question 26

According to this theory, humans have three basic psychological needs: autonomy, competence, psychological relatedness

Answer 26

Self-determination theory (falls under motivation theory)

Question 27

When did same-sex marriage become legal in Canada?

a) 1997
b) 2001
c) 2015
d) 2005

Answer 27

d) 2005

Question 28

The sequence “theory - prediction - experiment - interpretation” is an example of:

a) Scientific inquiry
b) Scientific theory
c) An experiment
d) None of the above

Answer 28

a) Scientific inquiry

Question 29

People grounded in feminist theories are most likely to raise objections to what practice in Western societies?

a) Cosmetic vulvar surgery
b) Penile foreskin circumcision
c) Evolutionary theories of mate selection
d) The face-to-face position

Answer 29

a) Cosmetic vulvar surgery

Question 30

Kareem gets turned on whenever he sees a woman wearing red shoes. Describe how classical conditioning can be used to explain the development of his red shoe fetish.

Answer 30

Repeatedly pairing red shoes (neutral stimulus) with feelings of arousal (unconditioned response).

The red shoes become a conditioned stimulus and feelings of arousal become the conditioned response

Question 31

Marcus likes to spy on people through their windows as they are getting undressed and when they are showering. Even though he finds this highly arousing, he is also extremely distressed and is very worried about getting caught and possibly arrested. Discuss how classical conditioning can be used to treat unwanted sexual fetishes like the one Marcus is experiencing.

Answer 31

Instruct Marcus to imagine becoming sexually aroused by his unwanted/ problematic fetish; when he becomes aroused have him smell ammonia salt capsules or imagine the worst consequence of his behaviour for himself and his family.

Question 32

Oliver experiences rapid ejaculation which he finds very distressing. Based on the following theoretical perspectives, give one explanation for the cause of his rapid ejaculation and one treatment recommendation for each perspective.

1. Operant conditioning
2. Biological theories
3. Social script theory

Answer 32

Operant conditioning
explanation - feels good to have an orgasm even if partner is not happy
treatment - focusing on the pleasure of pleasing partner to reinforce learning techniques and/or delay ejaculation

Biological theories
explanation - hypo or hyper function of serotonin receptors
treatment - serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants

Social script theory
explanation - sexual script focused on vaginal penetration
treatment - expanding sexual repertoire

Question 33

What are three tenets of sexual strategies theory?

Answer 33

1. Men and women have evolved specific psychological mechanisms to solve problems associated with short term mating and long term mating
2. Men dedicate more time to short term mating than women do because of asymmetry in parental investment
3. There are two reproductive constraints on women for short term mating: extracting resources immediately and assessing prospective long-term mates