🥸intro to psychology review
10.3 Sexual Behavior, Sexuality, and Gender Identity
Last Updated on June 24, 2024
Sexual behavior and motivation are complex aspects of human psychology. Biological factors like hormones and neurotransmitters play a crucial role in regulating sexual desire and arousal. Understanding these mechanisms helps explain the diversity of human sexual experiences.
Research by pioneers like Kinsey, Masters, and Johnson revolutionized our understanding of human sexuality. Their work revealed the wide range of sexual behaviors and responses, challenging societal norms and paving the way for more open discussions about sex and relationships.
Sexual Behavior and Motivation
Biological regulation of sexual behavior
Top images from around the web for Biological regulation of sexual behavior
Development of the Male and Female Reproductive Systems | Anatomy and Physiology II View original
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Regulation of Hormone Production | OpenStax Biology 2e View original
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Sexual Behavior | Introduction to Psychology View original
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Development of the Male and Female Reproductive Systems | Anatomy and Physiology II View original
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Regulation of Hormone Production | OpenStax Biology 2e View original
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Top images from around the web for Biological regulation of sexual behavior
Development of the Male and Female Reproductive Systems | Anatomy and Physiology II View original
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Regulation of Hormone Production | OpenStax Biology 2e View original
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Sexual Behavior | Introduction to Psychology View original
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Development of the Male and Female Reproductive Systems | Anatomy and Physiology II View original
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Regulation of Hormone Production | OpenStax Biology 2e View original
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- Hormones regulate sexual desire and arousal
- Testosterone produced in testes (males) and ovaries (females) plays a key role in sexual desire and arousal
- Estrogen produced in ovaries (females) influences sexual receptivity and behavior
- Neurotransmitters modulate sexual motivation and response
- Dopamine involved in brain's reward system increases sexual desire and motivation
- Serotonin regulates sexual arousal and orgasm with low levels potentially contributing to increased sexual behavior
- Limbic system integrates hormonal and neural signals to regulate sexual behavior
- Hypothalamus regulates sexual behavior and motivation by integrating hormonal and neural signals
- Amygdala processes emotional responses related to sexual stimuli and is involved in sexual arousal and desire
Understanding Human Sexuality
Impact of Kinsey's sexuality research
- Kinsey Reports (1948 and 1953) "Sexual Behavior in the Human Male" and "Sexual Behavior in the Human Female" challenged traditional views of human sexuality
- Key findings revealed sexual behavior exists on a continuum rather than distinct categories, homosexual experiences are more common than previously thought, and masturbation and premarital sex are common behaviors
- Methodological limitations included a non-representative sample and reliance on self-report data
- Impact on society sparked public discourse about human sexuality, contributed to the sexual revolution of the 1960s and 1970s, and influenced subsequent research on human sexual behavior
Masters and Johnson's sexual response cycle
- Excitement phase characterized by increased heart rate and blood pressure, vasocongestion (blood flow to genitals), lubrication in females, and erection in males
- Plateau phase intensifies arousal with increased muscle tension and rapid, shallow breathing
- Orgasm phase reaches peak of sexual pleasure with rhythmic muscle contractions and release of sexual tension
- Resolution phase returns body to pre-arousal state with a refractory period in males (temporary inability to achieve another orgasm)
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Sexual orientation vs gender identity
- Sexual orientation refers to emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attraction to others
- Examples include heterosexual (attraction to the opposite sex), homosexual (attraction to the same sex), bisexual (attraction to both sexes), and asexual (little or no sexual attraction)
- Gender identity is a personal sense of one's own gender that may or may not correspond with the sex assigned at birth
- Examples include cisgender (gender identity aligns with sex assigned at birth), transgender (gender identity differs from sex assigned at birth), non-binary (gender identity falls outside the male-female binary), and genderfluid (gender identity varies over time)
- Gender expression refers to how individuals outwardly manifest their gender identity through behavior, clothing, hairstyle, voice, and other characteristics
Diversity in Sex and Gender
- Intersex individuals are born with variations in sex characteristics that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies
- Queer theory challenges traditional categorizations of gender and sexuality, emphasizing fluidity and rejecting fixed identities
- Sexual orientation exists on a spectrum, with individuals experiencing varying degrees of attraction to different genders
Key Terms to Review (25)
Serotonin: Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological and psychological processes in the human body. It is often referred to as the 'feel-good' chemical due to its association with mood, sleep, appetite, and other important functions.
Dopamine: Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in various physiological and psychological processes within the human body. It is often referred to as the 'feel-good' chemical due to its association with pleasure, reward, and motivation. Dopamine is integral to the understanding of contemporary psychology, the functioning of the nervous system, substance use and abuse, sexual behavior and gender identity, personality, mood disorders, and childhood disorders.
Hypothalamus: The hypothalamus is a small, but crucial part of the brain that acts as a control center, regulating essential bodily functions and maintaining homeostasis. It plays a central role in the interconnected systems of the brain, endocrine system, and various physiological processes.
Amygdala: The amygdala is a small, almond-shaped structure located deep within the temporal lobe of the brain. It is a key component in the processing and regulation of emotions, particularly fear and anxiety, as well as in the formation of memories associated with emotional events.
Estrogen: Estrogen is a group of steroid hormones that are primarily produced by the ovaries in women. It plays a crucial role in the development and regulation of the female reproductive system, as well as in the maintenance of various other bodily functions.
Testosterone: Testosterone is a male sex hormone primarily produced in the testes. It is responsible for the development and maintenance of male sexual characteristics and plays a crucial role in various physiological and psychological processes in the body.
Sexual Behavior in the Human Male: Sexual Behavior in the Human Male refers to the study of male sexual behavior, including the physiological, psychological, and social factors that influence male sexual activity and development. This term is closely connected to the topics of sexual behavior, sexuality, and gender identity in the context of introductory psychology.
Vasocongestion: Vasocongestion refers to the increased blood flow and dilation of blood vessels, particularly in the genital area, that occurs during sexual arousal. This physiological response is a key component of the sexual response cycle and is associated with the subjective experience of sexual excitement and pleasure.
Queer Theory: Queer theory is a critical approach that challenges traditional understandings of gender, sexuality, and identity. It examines how power structures and societal norms shape and constrain the expression of sexual and gender identities, with the goal of disrupting and transforming these norms.
Refractory Period: The refractory period is the time immediately following the firing of a neuron or muscle cell during which it is unable to generate another action potential, even if stimulated. This period is a crucial aspect of the functioning of the nervous system and sexual behavior.
Bisexual: Bisexuality is a sexual orientation characterized by emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attraction to people of one's own gender and people of other genders. Bisexual individuals are capable of being attracted to individuals of the same gender as well as those of a different gender.
Genderfluid: Genderfluid is a gender identity that is not fixed and can shift between different gender expressions over time. Individuals who identify as genderfluid may experience a range of gender identities, including masculine, feminine, or a combination of both, and these identities may fluctuate. This term is often associated with the concepts of sexual behavior, sexuality, and gender identity.
Heterosexual: Heterosexuality is a sexual orientation characterized by romantic and/or sexual attraction to individuals of a different sex or gender. It is one of the main sexual orientations, along with homosexuality and bisexuality.
Homosexual: A homosexual is a person who is emotionally, romantically, and/or sexually attracted to individuals of the same gender. This term is relevant to the topics of sexual behavior, sexuality, and gender identity in the context of introductory psychology.
Cisgender: Cisgender refers to a person whose gender identity and expression aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth. It is the opposite of transgender, where one's gender identity differs from their assigned sex.
Gender Expression: Gender expression refers to the way an individual outwardly expresses their gender identity through their appearance, behavior, and mannerisms. It is the external manifestation of one's gender, which may or may not align with the sex they were assigned at birth or their gender identity.
Sexual Behavior in the Human Female: Sexual Behavior in the Human Female refers to the patterns, practices, and experiences of sexual activity and sexuality among women. It encompasses a wide range of physical, emotional, and psychological aspects related to female sexuality and intimate relationships.
Sexual Response Cycle: The sexual response cycle is a model that describes the physiological and psychological changes that occur during sexual activity. It encompasses the various stages of sexual arousal and response, providing a framework for understanding human sexual function.
Transgender: Transgender is a term used to describe individuals whose gender identity or expression differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. It encompasses a wide range of identities and experiences related to gender, challenging the traditional binary conception of gender as solely male or female.
Non-binary: Non-binary is a spectrum of gender identities that are not exclusively masculine or exclusively feminine‚??identities that are outside the gender binary. Individuals who identify as non-binary may express their gender in a variety of ways and may not feel that they fully identify with the categories of 'man' or 'woman'.
Sexual Revolution: The sexual revolution was a social movement that emerged in the 1960s and 1970s, challenging traditional attitudes towards sexuality, gender roles, and sexual behavior. It involved a significant shift in societal norms, leading to increased openness, experimentation, and acceptance of diverse sexual practices and identities.
Asexual: Asexual refers to a person who experiences little to no sexual attraction to others. It is a sexual orientation characterized by a lack of sexual desire or interest in sexual relationships with others.
Sexual Orientation: Sexual orientation refers to an individual's emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attraction to people of the same or different gender. It is a core part of one's identity and encompasses a range of sexual identities, including heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, and asexuality.
Intersex: Intersex is a general term used to describe a variety of conditions in which a person is born with reproductive or sexual anatomy that does not fit the typical definitions of female or male. Intersex individuals may have a combination of male and female biological traits, or their sexual characteristics may not be clearly defined as either male or female.
Kinsey Reports: The Kinsey Reports were a groundbreaking series of studies conducted by Alfred Kinsey and his team in the 1940s and 1950s, which provided unprecedented insights into human sexual behavior and challenged prevailing social norms and assumptions about sexuality. These reports significantly influenced the field of sexuality research and had a lasting impact on our understanding of human sexual diversity and expression.