Sexual Self and Human Sexuality

Flashcards covering the key vocabulary and foundational concepts of the Sexual Self lecture material.

Self-concept

The knowledge and belief that individuals have and the evaluation that they make about themselves (Myers & Twenge, 2017).

Self-schemas

Specific beliefs that help individuals organize and guide the processing of self-relevant information, providing direction to actions and coherence to identity (Myers & Twenge, 2017).

Sexual self

A complex set of schemas that allow individuals to understand and express themselves as sexual beings, pertaining to sex, gender, sexual orientation, and sexual expression/responses.

Sex

The biological and physiological characteristics that define men and women and constitute the sex categories of male and female (World Health Organization, 2014).

Gender

The attitudes, feelings, and behaviors that a given culture associates with a person's biological sex (American Psychological Association, 2012).

Gender identity

An internal awareness of where an individual belongs in the feminine and masculine categories, with options to identify with either or neither.

Sexual orientation

The direction of one's sexual and romantic interests (Rathus, 2014), or the stable pattern of attraction one has toward members of a particular sex or lack thereof.

MAMAWA

An abbreviation for the "Men-Are-Men-And-Women-Are-Women" assumption (Pinel, 2014), representing a simplistic and heuristic reference based on age-old traditions and perspectives.

SRY gene

A gene located in the sex-determining region of the Y chromosome in male embryos that triggers the synthesis of the SRY protein at about 6 weeks after conception (Arnold, 2004).

SRY protein

A protein caused by the SRY gene that causes the medulla (internal part) of each primordial gonad to grow and develop into testes (Arnold, 2004).

Wolffian system

The embryonic duct system that develops into male reproductive structures, including the epididymis, vas deferens, ejaculatory duct, and seminal vesicles.

Mullerian system

The embryonic duct system that develops into female reproductive structures, including the fallopian tubes, uterus, and upper vagina.

Gonads

Reproductive organs responsible for producing gametes and releasing sex hormones; ovaries in females (producing eggs, estrogen, and progesterone) and testes in males (producing sperm and testosterone).

Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS)

A condition where genetically male individuals (XY) cannot respond to androgen hormones, resulting in a predominantly female phenotype or a mix of male and female characteristics.

Androgenital Syndrome (AGS)

A condition characterized by a 21-hydroxylase enzyme deficiency, leading to an overproduction of androgens and affecting sexual development.

5-Alpha-Reductase Deficiency

A genetic disorder affecting sexual development caused by a lack of 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme crucial for converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

Cisgender

A male or female who identifies with the sex assigned at birth and identifies, to some degree, with the gender norms associated with their sex (Keener, 2015).

Genderqueer

A term describing a gender identity when the binary conceptualization of gender (male or female) does not accurately describe an individual's gendered outlook or self-concept (Keener, 2015).

Intersex

Describes a variety of medical conditions wherein an individual's reproductive anatomy or genitals do not fit the binary definition of male or female (Keener, 2015).

Transgender man (Transman / FtM)

A man whose sex assigned at birth is female, but who lives and identifies as male (Keener, 2015).

Transgender woman (Transwoman / MtF)

A woman whose sex assigned at birth is male, but who lives and identifies as female (Keener, 2015).

Gender expression

How people express themselves and behave outwardly to convey their sense of femininity or masculinity.

Asexual

Refers to the absence of physical or sexual attraction to another human being, though romantic, intellectual, or emotional attractions may still occur (Keener, 2015).

Bisexual

A sexual orientation describing either a male or a female who is attracted to both males and females (Keener, 2015).

Gay

Depending on context, refers to males and/or lesbians; specifically, self-identified men who are emotionally, physically, romantically, and/or sexually attracted to people who identify as male (Keener, 2015).

Lesbian

A self-identified female who is emotionally, physically, romantically, and/or sexually attracted to people who identify as female (Keener, 2015).

Heterosexual

An individual who identifies as either a male or female and is attracted to individuals of the opposite sex (Keener, 2015).

The Genderbread Person

A conceptual framework illustrating four distinct spectrums of human sexuality and self-concept: Gender Identity, Gender Expression, Biological Sex, and Attraction.

Love

A deep feeling of care, affection, and emotional connection toward someone.

Lust

Strong physical or sexual attraction toward someone, representing passionate energy in the evolution of romantic love.

Attachment

A strong emotional bond that creates feelings of connection, comfort, and security with someone.

Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love

A theory formulated by Robert Sternberg stating that love is composed of three components: Intimacy, Passion, and Commitment.

Consummate Love

The complete form of love achieved through the combination of Intimacy, Passion, and Commitment (Sternberg).

Oxytocin

Also called the "love hormone," a hormone released during childbirth, breastfeeding, and sexual intimacy that helps strengthen emotional bonds.

Secure attachment style

An attachment style in which an individual is comfortable with closeness and trust (Mary Ainsworth).

Anxious-Resistant attachment style

An attachment style in which an individual desires closeness but worries about being rejected or abandoned (Mary Ainsworth).

Anxious-Avoidant attachment style

An attachment style in which an individual avoids closeness and experiences difficulty trusting others (Mary Ainsworth).

Calendar-Based Method

A natural method of contraception involving monthly tracking of the menstrual cycle, recording Day 1, and identifying fertile days to prevent or plan pregnancy.

Symptom-Based Method

A natural family planning method observing daily fertility signs, specifically changes in cervical mucus and basal body temperature (BBT).

Withdrawal Method (Pull-Out)

A natural contraception method in which the male withdraws the penis before ejaculation to reduce the chance of sperm entering the vagina.

Barrier Method

A type of birth control that works by physically blocking the entry of sperm into the cervix, including condoms, cervical caps, and sponges.

Emergency Contraception

Birth control methods used after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure, including the emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) and the copper IUD.

Sterilization

A permanent method of contraception achieved through surgical procedures, specifically tubal ligation for women or vasectomy for men.