Module 1: An Introduction to Human Sexuality Flashcards
(41 cards)
why do we study human sexuality?
- to gain factual knowledge
- to develop a positive attitude toward sex
- to clarify sexual values and ethics
- to improve communication
- to understand sexual arousal and response
- to understand sexual problems
- to enhance professional practice
- to become comfortable with the subject
what constitutes having sex?
- different ideas for different people
- penetrative sex, oral, vaginal, anal, digital, sex toys, mutual masturbation, etc.
what are some things that sex can refer to?
- anatomic sex of male or female
- anatomic structures
- behaviors
- feelings and desires
what percent of people are intersex
10%
what is the difference between sex and gender
- sex is a biologically determined aspect of someone, it refers to the anatomic reproductive structures that someone is born with
- gender is a personal identification of how one feels about themselves, this can be the same or different from anatomical sex
define human sexuality
our experiences and our expressions of ourselves as sexual beings, which are affected by our culture
define sexual values
moral guidelines for making sexual decisions in relationships
what are the three types of sexual values
- absolutism
- relativism
- hedonism
describe the absolutism sexual value system
- unconditional power and authority of religion, law, or tradition
- choices are based on what is right or wrong (determined by a higher power)
- black and white thinking
what percent of college students are absolutists in their sexual values?
15%
are absolutists more likely male or female and why?
- majority female
- women are generally expected to protect their virginity and they will bear the burden of sex (children)
describe the relativism sexual value system
- emphasizes consideration of the context of a situation when making sexual decisions
- it depends on the situation and certain conditions
what percent of college students are relativists in their sexual values?
70%
are relativists more likely male or female and why?
it is mostly equal between men and women
describe the hedonism sexual value system
- the idea that the pursuit of please and avoidance of pain provide the ultimate motivation for sexual behavior
- sensation seeking
- if it feels good, do it
what percent of college students are hedonists in their sexual values?
14%
are hedonists more likely male or female and why?
- more likely male
- societal standards of it being okay or even encouraged for men to have more sexual partners
list 8 influences on human sexuality
- education
- sexual self-concept
- values and religion
- emotions
- behaviors
- media and technology
- reproduction
- family and peers
define sexual self-concept
how to identify yourself generally, sexually, and in the context of your relationship
which two religions discusses in class generally teach that premarital sex is not okay
- Christianity
- Islam
describe how media and technology influence human sexuality
- make it easier to access information about sex
- some information may be incorrect, leading to confusion
- creates more complexity within human sexuality
- reflects society’s views on sexuality
how often are sexual choices made
- over and over
- every time you encounter something sexual
what are the five factors involved in sexual decisions
- not to decide is to decide
- decisions involve trade-offs
- decisions include selecting a positive or negative view
- decisions can produce ambivalence/uncertainty
- some decisions are revocable, some are not
describe this sexual decision factor: not to decide is to decide
- if you don’t make explicit sexual decisions about what you will and will not do, you are still choosing a course of action
- not deciding with a partner about usage of condoms = not using condoms
