Psych of Adjustment Chapter 12

What do sex researchers depend mostly on?

survey methods such as interviews and questionnaires

Define identity

a clear and stable sense of who one is in the larger society

define sexual identity

to refer to the complex set of personal qualities, self-perceptions, attitudes, values, and preferences that guide one’s sexual behavior

What are the four key features included in sexual identity?

sexual orientation, body image, sexual values and ethics, and erotic preference

define sexual orientation

part of one’s identity that includes one’s sexual and emotional attraction to others

define heterosexual orientation

seek emotional-sexual relationships with members of the other gender

define same-sex orientation

seek emotional-sexual relationships with members of the same gender

define bisexual orientation

seek emotional-sexual relationships with members of more than one gender

define asexual orientation

feel little need for emotional-sexual relationships with anyone, regardless of gender

define body image

how you perceive yourself physically

What is positive body image correlated with?

greater sexual activity, higher sexual satisfaction, and fewer sexual problems

define erotic preferences

attitudes about self-stimulation, oral sex, intercourse, and other sexual activities

define androgens

the principal class of male sex hormones

define estrogens

the principal class of female sex hormones

define intersex

born with a combination of male and female hormonal or anatomical features

define primary sex characteristics

the structures necessary for reproduction (sex organs)

define secondary sex characteristics

physical features that distinguish the genders but are not directly involved in reproduction

define menarche

the first occurrence of menstruation

define spermarche

the first ejaculation

What is a strong predictor of one’s own sexual behavior?

the sexual behaviors of one’s friends

define abstinence only programs

offer no information about contraceptive methods but encourage students to abstain from sex

define comprehensive programs

offer information on a wide variety of topics, such as contraception, abortion, sexually transmitted diseases, relationships, sexual orientation, and responsible decision making

What does the meta-analysis of studies conclude regarding media portrayals of sex influencing viewers?

That exposure to sexual media has an effect on sexual behaviors and attitudes, especially for adolescents

What have studies found about teens that take abstinence pledges or wear purity rings?

They tend to be just as sexually active as peers who don’t

What are the few areas in which men and women differed regarding sexual expression?

• men are more likely to engage in casual sex

• men are more likely to engage in masturbation

• Men are more likely to use pornagraphy

***all other categories have very little gender difference

What is the Kinsey continum?

a 7-point scale to characterize sexual orientation

What do some researchers argue about Kinsey’s model of sexual orientation?

that it is too simplistic, inaccurately depicting sexual orientation as fixed and stable

What term does Lisa Diamond use to reflect the complexity of sexual orientation?

sexual fluidity

does sexual fluidity apply more to women or men?

women

Where did Freud believe that same-sex attraction originated from?

an unresolved Oedipus complex

What do learning theorists assert that same-sex attraction originated from?

early negative heterosexual encounters or early positive same-sex experiences

what do sociologists propose same-sex attraction originated from?

poor relationships with same-sex peers or because being labeled as gay sets up a self-fulfilling prophecy

What does research on causes of sexual orientation find about the opinions of sociologists, Freud, and learning theorists?

There is no compelling support for any of these explanations

What have researchers found elevated rates of in same-sex orientation among women?

exposure to abnormally high androgen levels during prenatal development

Define sexual fluidity.

Sexual orientation is not a fixed, stable trait. Our attractions can change depending on interpersonal and situational factors

What are the trends in birth-order effects and sexual orientation with gay men?

gay men are more likely born after heterosexual siblings, especially for older brothers

Why do researchers speculate the birth-order effects and sexual orientation trends in men specifically happen?

due to changes in maternal prenatal immune response for each male she carries

What is the trend between genetic factors of gay and bisexual men?

52% of identical twins were gay, 22% fraternal brothers, 11% adopted (similar results for sisters)

define homoprejudice

the negative and discriminatory attitudes toward sexual minorities

What are the lowest levels of sexual prejudice associated with?

individuals who personally know someone who is gay

What psychological factors is homoprejudice correlated with?

authoritarianism, traditional gender-role attitudes, and conservative religions/political beliefs

What is the greater accpetance of sexual minorities likely due to?

increasing visibility of lesbians and gays in society

define “coming out”

recognizing and accepting one’s sexual orientation, then disclosing it to others

During the initial phase of the sexual cycle- the excitement- what happens for males and females?

level of arousal escalates rapidly. muscle tension, respiration rate, HR and BP increase quickly

In the excitement phase of the sexual cycle for men, define casocongestion.

engorgement of blood vessels producing penile erection, swollen testes, and movement of the scrotum closer to the body

Describe vasocongestion in females during the excitement phase of the sexual cycle

swelling of the clitoris and vaginal lips, vaginal lubrication, enlargement of uterus. Also nipple erection and swelling of breasts

What happens in both men and women during the plateau phase of the sexual cycle

physiological arousal continues to build at a much slower pace

What happens in women during the plateau phase of the sexual cycle

further vasocongestion producing a tightening of the lower third of vagina and ballooning of upper two thirds lifting the uterus and cervix away from the end of vagina.

Describe the plateau phase of the sexual cycle in men

head of penis swells, testicles enlarge and move closer to body, pre ejaculatory fluid produced from tip

Define the orgasm phase of the sexual cycle for men and women

when sexual arousal reaches its peak intensity and is discharged in a series of muscular contractions that pulsate through the pelvic area

Define the resolution phase of the sexual cycle for men and women

the physiological changes produced by sexual arousal subside

define refractory period

after orgasm in men, a time following orgasm during which males are largely unresponsive to further stimulation (few minutes to few hours, increasing with age).

During intercourse, are men or women less likely to reach orgasm?

women

define erogenous zones

areas of the body that are sexually sensitive or responsive

What is the ultimate erogenous zone?

the mind

define masturbation

the stimulation of one’s own genitals

define cunnilingus

oral stimulation of the female genitals

define fellatio

oral stimulation of the penis

define anal intercourse

involves insertion of the penis into a partner’s anus and rectum

define coitus

penile-vaginal intercourse; the insertion of the penis into the vagina and pelvic thrusting

What are the four common barriers to sexual communication?

1. fear of appearing ignorant

2. concern about partners response

3. conflicting attitudes about sex

4. negative early sexual experiences

what can keep sexual negotiations healthy?

assertive communication and constructive conflict resolution

define hormone based contraceptives

synthetic forms of estrogen and progesterone which inhibit ovulation in women

define sexually transmitted disease

a disease or infection transmitted primarily through sexual contact

What is the most common STD

HPV

define sexual dysfunctions

impairments in sexual functioning that cause subjective distress

define erectile difficulties

the male sexual dysfunction characterized by the persistant inability to achieve or maintain an erection adequate for intercourse

define premature (early) ejaculation

characterized as impaired sexual relations because a man consistantly reaches orgasm too quickly

What causes early ejaculation?

neurophysiological predisposition, or stress, depression, and sexual abuse

define orgasmic difficulties

when people experience sexual arousal but have persistent problems in achieving orgasm

is orgasmic difficulty more common in women or men

women

define hypoactive sexual desire

the lack of interest in sexual activity

define sex therapy

involves the professional treatment of sexual dysfunctions

define sensate focus

an exercise in which partners take turns pleasuring each other while giving guided verbal feedback and in which certain kinds of stimulation are temporarilty forbidden

what are the two treatments effective for instant ejaculation

1. stop-start method

2. squeeze technique