Lesson 6 - Sexual and Physical Self

sexual genitalia

It is a biological feature that distinguishes males from females

Biological Sex

one’s given upon birth. It is dependent on physical feature

gender

an identity that is learned and embraced by individual

gender roles

xpected to be seen in men and women

sexual identity

A person expresses his or her sexuality through individuality

gender orientation

one’s belief and behavioral lifestyle are based on his or her own perceptions of sexuality

hormones

are chemicals that coordinate different functions in your body by carrying messages through the blood to organs, skin, muscles, and other tissues

lust

The first phase of falling in love is the lust or the desire phase. Lust is the craving for sexual satisfaction which is a feeling that evolved in humans to motivate union with a single partner.

adrenaline

a hormone that is released during the human stress response and also plays a role in enhancing the attraction and arousal of humans. This hormone causes the heart to beat faster and stronger, results in a surge of energy, and focuses attention solely on your potential mate.

dopamine

is a hormone that plays a role in motivation, addiction, attention, and desire. Once released, this chemical messenger produces a feeling of happiness and bliss. Dopamine is also released in response to cocaine and sugar which are both incredibly addictive.

serotonin

is a hormone that acts as a neurotransmitter and plays a role in maintaining mood balance, appetite, sleep, memory, sexual desire, and sexual function. During the attraction phase, serotonin levels decrease which can result in sleeplessness.

attraction

during this phase one may experience a feeling of euphoria or exhiliration and a craving for a union with the other human that they desire.

oxytocin

also referred to as the love hormone is released during the attachment phase in correlation with physical touch and results in an increase in dopamine.

vasopressin

is another hormone released after physical touch that initiates the desire to stay with the particular individual and develops in a strong emotional attachment

Sexual Intercourse

is the reproductive act in which the male organ enters the female’s reproductive tract.

sexually transmitted disease

one of the consequences of an impulsive and careless sexual intercourse.

AIDS

the most alarming sexually transmitted disease.

human immunodeficiency virus

aids is cause by

respect for one’s body

It means taking care of one’s body and avoiding activities that undermine one’s worth and respect.

maturity in thoughts and deeds

It refers to being objective, rational, and calm, instead of being swept by one’s emotion.

being guided by one’s personal beliefs and core values

Everyone, especially an adolescent, should always be grounded by his/her personal principles and self-worth.

being future-oriented

Instead of focusing on the present, a person should always weigh his or her present actions with possible consequences in the future.

physical self

refers to the body which is interfaced with the environment and other human beings.

physical development

is the process that starts in human infancy and continues into late adolescence concentrating on gross and fine motor skills as well as puberty.

physical characteristics

are the defining traits or features of your body.

physical appearance

is the way a person looks.

gregor mendel

figured out how genes are passed from parents to offspring in plants, including humans.

heredity

transmission of traits from parents to offspring.

genotype

refers to the specific information embedded within one’s genes

phenotype

is the physical expression of a particular trait.

23

each individual has how many chromosomes?

maturation

is known as the completion of the growth of a genetic character within an organism or the unfolding of an individual’s inherent traits or potential.

environmental conditioning

As you grow up, you are exposed to environmental influences that shape your physical self, including those from your social networks, societal expectations, and cultural practices

family

forms a crucial foundation of one’s development

person’s body type

One aspect of physical beauty

body image

It is the perception that a person has of their physical self and the thoughts and feelings that result from that perception. It can be positive or negative. It is influenced by individual and environmental factors.

positive body image

is feeling happy and satisfied with your body

negative body image

feeling unhappy with the way you look

body modification

is the physical alteration of the body through the use of surgery, tattoo, piercing, implants, and other practices.

body dysmorphic disorder

Those who are so self-anxious that they seek cosmetic surgeries to solve their body issues may eventually suffer a disorder

perceptual component

which refers to how we accurately perceive or see our body size, also known as body size estimation, which is how we see our body

attitudinal component

{affective, cognitive, and behavioral} which refers we think and feel about the size and/or shape of their body, which if not correctly processed, will result to body dissatisfaction

anorexia

is an eating disorder, defined as a serious mental illness where people are of low weight due to limiting their energy intake. It can affect anyone of any age, gender, or background. As well as restricting the amount of food eaten, they may do lots of exercise to get rid of the food eaten

healthy eating

Following a healthy diet results in healthy skin, ideal weight, and better stamina.

embracing a healthy lifestyle

Physical activities such as walking, running, going to the gym, and engaging in sports also contribute to a healthier body.

maintaining proper hygiene

Taking care of your body by consistently following a hygiene regimen can also help you feel good about yourself.

being confident

Be secure in yourself, embrace a positive outlook toward various situations and problems, and love and accept who you are.

body adornment

is the practice of enhancing the body through styling and decorating hair and fingernails, painting the body, and wearing jewelry and clothing. 

body image disturbance

is an important aspect of several pathologies in psychology, particularly eating disorders.