Gender Development
How are we Alike? How Do we Differ?
The Nature of Gender: Our Biology
The Nurture of Gender: Our Culture
Human Sexuality
The Physiology of Sex
The Psychology of Sex
Sexual Orientation
Environment and Sexual Orientation
Biology and Sexual Orientation
An Evolutionary Explanation of Human Sexuality
Gender Differences in Sexuality
Natural Selection and Mating Preferences
Critiquing the Evolutionary Perspective
Thinking About Gender, Sexuality, and Nature-Nurture Interactions
Gender Development
Gender Differences in Aggression
Gender and Social Power
Gender Differences and Connectedness
Biology of Sex
Sexual Differentiation
Gender Roles
Gender Roles: Theories
Human Sexuality
Sexual Motivation
The Physiology of Sex
The Psychology of Sex
The Physiology of Sex
Masters and Johnson (1966) describe the human sexual response cycle as consisting of four phases:
Hormones and Sexual Behavior
Sex hormones effect the development of sexual characteristics and (especially in animals) activate sexual behavior.
Estrogen
Female animals “in heat” express peak levels of estrogen. Female receptivity may be heightened with estrogen injections.
Testosterone
Levels of testosterone remain relatively constant in males, so it is difficult to manipulate and activate sexual behavior. Castration, which reduces testosterone levels, lowers sexual interest.
Sexual Problems
Men generally suffer from two kinds of sexual problems: premature ejaculation and erectile disorder. Women may suffer from orgasmic disorders.
The Psychology of Sex
External Stimuli
It is common knowledge that men become sexually aroused when browsing through erotic material. However, women experience similar heightened arousal under controlled conditions.
Imagined Stimuli
Our imagination in our brain can influence sexual arousal and desire. People with spinal cord injuries and no genital sensation can still feel sexual desire.
Sexual Orientation
Environment and Sexual Orientation
Biology and Sexual Orientation
Sexual orientation refers to a person’s preference for emotional and sexual relationships with individuals of the same sex, the other sex, and/or either sex.
Sexual Orientation Statistics
In Europe and America, based on many national surveys, homosexuality in men is 3-4% and in women is 1-2%.
Origins of Sexual Orientation
Homosexuality is more likely based on biological factors like differing brain centers, genetics, and parental hormone exposure rather than environmental factors.
Animal Homosexuality
A number of animal species are devoted to same-sex partners, suggesting that homosexuality exists in the animal world.
Genes & Sexual Orientation
A number of reasons suggest that homosexuality may be due to genetic factors.
Sexual Orientation: Biology
An Evolutionary Explanation of Human Sexuality
Evolutionary Psychology and Human Sexuality
Gender Differences in Sexuality
Natural Selection and Mating Preferences
Critiquing the Evolutionary Perspective
Human Sexuality
Natural Selection & Mating Preferences
Mating Preferences
Critiquing the Evolutionary Perspective
Evolutionary Psychologists Reply
Sex and Human Values
“Promiscuous recreational sex poses certain psychological, social, health, and moral problems that must be faced realistically” (Baumrind, 1982).
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