Course 3 - Nature and modalities of the knowledge of reality on sexuality Flashcards
What is essentialism?
belief that certain entities have their own essence that constitutes them, necessary properties that make them exist.
What are the essentialist feminist views?
-Differentialist feminism: pure or original femininity
-Universal oppression of women
-Feminism (unified female object)
What is attractiveness according to evolutionary psychology (Essentialism and sexuality)?
Mating preferences by gender:
-Men = physical attractiveness/appearance - youth/fertility
-Women = attracted by material resource providers (financial aspects, secondary physical attractiveness)
What is sexual orientation according to evolutionary psychology (Essentialism and sexuality)?
-Biologically determined or acquired early in life: fixed and unchangeable
Ex. Several theories or research on the origin/cause of homosexuality (Genetic, hormonal, etc.)
-Inclusive fitness (among evolutionists)
What are the criticisms of the essentialization of sexuality: 2) Sexual behavior as instinctive?
Sexuality = learning: decoding sexuality, its meanings, how to behave sexually according to the context, etc.
sexual sensations do not mean anything in themselves…
How do constructivists view sexuality?
1) Rejection of the great universal ideas about sexuality
2) What is considered sexual and what sexuality means varies from culture to culture and time to time
3) Nothing in itself is sexual, it must first be named and defined as such
4) The focus of the constructivist perspective = the social and cultural aspects of sexuality rather than the individual out of context
5) Ideas that persist and endure with respect to certain themes are not automatically linked to their empirical value/worth but more to the groups/individuals who have an interest in their continuance
6) Descriptions and explanations of the world are in themselves social actions that produce a social effect
What are the elements of intrapsychic scripts?
-Fragmentary symbolic elements
-Cultural scenarios
-Elements of personal experience
-Organize into structured cognitive schemas
-Narrative, plan or fantasy sequences
-Coordinate mental life and social behavior
-Operate the recognition of sexual situations
What are interpersonal scripts?
-Are present during interactions between partners
-Are composed of ritualized sequences of acts
setting up, unfolding and maintenance of encounters
-Provoke arousal
-Coordinate the practical realization of sexual intercourse
-Interface where partners readjust to their intrapsychic scripts
What are cultural scripts?
-Collective prescriptions of what is sexually possible and impossible
-Not simple norms or rules
-Not always sexual or exclusively sexual narratives
-Constitute the background of all sexualities
-But are always interpreted by the subject
What are the 1st premises of essentialism?
1) Sexuality is inherent and natural in all individuals
What are the 2nd premises of essentialism?
2) Sexual instinct and drive are biological (in us, in our very essence) and are not culturally or socially influenced
What are the 3rd premises of essentialism?
3) Sexual drive is compared to other physiological needs related to survival (drinking, sleeping, eating)
What are the 4th premises of essentialism?
4) There are fundamental differences (in essence) between the sexuality of men and women
What are the 5th premises of essentialism?
5) Sexuality is stable and does not change according to history or culture (biological reductionism or biological determinism)
What is the 1st criticism of the essentialist view of sexuality? (ie.e The sexual drive as rooted in biology)
1.1) Being deprived of sexuality does not lead to decay or deterioration
