Psych 235 exam 1

Psychology of sex exam 1

Gender binary

Idea that there are only 2 genders/sexes: women/females and men/males

Sexual behavior

Behavior that produces arousal/increases the change of an orgasm

ethnocentrism

tendency to regard one’s own ethnic group at superior to others. this often results in judgment of other culture’s customs, since you believe your culture is the standard

Pederasty

sexual relationship between and adult man and adolescent boy. Very common form of same sex sexual behavior in ancient culture.

cultivation theory

Exposure to mass media makes people think that what is done in mass media is the norm. Ex: teenagers having sex in mass media means all teens have sex

Framing theory

media controls what parts of reality we see, what is important and what is not based on what is covered. We are only getting a portion of the story.

social cognitive theory

the media produces role models whom we imitate

reinforcing spiral theory

social identities and ideologies predict media use —> we select and align with media that reinforces our beliefs

differential susceptibility model

some people are more susceptible to media than others

collectivist culture

the emphasis of group and collective goals over personal goals. the self is defined by group membership/behavior determined by group norms. in terms of love: marriages are arranged for the benefit of the group. Emotional intimacy is provided from family

individualist culture

emphasis on individual goals over group goals/societal interests. Behavior regulated by individual attitudes/cost-benefit to the PERSON. Love is passionate and a basis for marriage —> attractivness and compatibility matters

honor culture

more importance is put on the person’s reputation and the respect/honor shown towards others

racial microaggressions

subtle insults directed at people of color, often done unconsciously

gender

socially constructed roles, behaviors, expressions, and identities of girls, women, boys, men, and gender diverse people

sex

biological attributes of humans and animals. This can include physical features, chromosomes, gene expression, hormones, and anatomy

How to refer to categories

Social categories: use GENDER terms like women, men, genderqueer, etc

Biological categories: use SEX terms like female, male, AFAB/AMAB, and intersex

cisgender

when someone’s assigned sex at birth coincides with their gender identity

transgender

when someone’s assigned sex at birth does NOT coincide with their gender identity

non-binary

someone who does not define as a gender within the gender binary. They may identify as both genders, neither genders, or somewhere in between

gender/sex

term used by researchers to refer to concepts that cannot be separated between sociocultural and biological concepts

gender minority person

someone whose sex assigned at birth does not align with their gender identity. anyone who isn’t cis is in this minority

US perspectives vs West Africa on kissing

87% of cultures in Africa did not include kissing as a romantic/sexual gesture

Other genders in other cultures

• Hijra in South Adia —> AMAB feminine presenting folks, “third gender”, performs blessings at weddings/sings and dances. Have a lower social status, been discriminated against in modern times

• Two-Spirit in Native American Cultures —> masculine and feminine qualities, considered sacred

• Fa’afafine in Samoa —> AMAB feminine presenting folks, take on female roles in society

sociobiology

adaptation of evolutionary biology to understanding the behavior of humans and animals

natural selection

selection of traits that promote fitness/survival of young. Survival of the fittest

parental investment

behaviors invested in the offspring by the parent that increase the offspring’s chance of survival

sexual selection

selection that creates differences between males and females. It consists of competition among one gender (typically males) and preferential choice by another (usually females) for certain members. the traits the males express could indicate higher fitness

Evolutionary psychology

psychological mechanisms that have been shaped by evolution

sexual strategies theory

• the theory that women and men face different adaptive problems in mating

• there are gender differences in sexual behaviors

Gender-neutral evolutionary theory

human behavior is flexible and adaptive, not defined by rigid sex specific roles

unconditioned stimulus/response

any stimulus that naturally, innately, and automatically triggers a specific response without any prior learning or conditioning. The automatic reaction is the response.

conditioned stimulus/response

a previously neutral stimulus that, through repeated pairing with an unconditioned stimulus, comes to trigger a learned, involuntary response

operant conditioning

behavior reinforcement through punishment/reward system

social learning theory

Based on principle of operant conditioning, reinforcement of behaviors through observation and imitation

social exchange theory

the assumption that we will choose actions that maximize rewards and minimize costs

gender schema theory

the mental “blueprint” or how gender is structured in a person’s culture

Results of Martin and Halverson

Children automatically “corrected” the images of individuals performing gender-inconsistent activities

critical race theory

theoretical framework used to examine the ways race and racism impact social structures and institutions

institutional racism (systemic racism)

policies of institutions that disadvantage certain racial groups

sexual scripts theory

The “guidelines” for sexual behavior (who, what, when). It isn’t instinctual, we learn societal scripts

the medicalization of sexuality

the idea that certain behaviors are defined within terms of health or illness, and certain problematic experiences are given medical treatment (example: ED in men). Medicalizing things that weren’t always medicalized.

4 tenants of feminist theory

1) we live in a patriarchy where men have greater power

2) sexuality is one area where this dynamic plays out

3) gender roles are socially constructed, they are limiting

4) Intersectionality: sexism interacts with other systems of power to produce unique combinations of oppression

Queer theory

Questions categorization and restrictive norms such as heteronormativity/cisnormativity.

Performativity in respect to gender

social signifiers of gender create the gender system, therefore gender is continually changing

sexual script negative impacts

Damaging because they contain inequities or don’t work for people (ineffective for queer people)

androgens

steroid hormones that include testosterone

testosterone

hormone secreted by testes in males, contribute to many typical secondary male characteristics and maintains sperm producing capability.

estrogens

a group of sex hormones, including estradiol (most potent female sex hormone). Regulates the menstural cycle, helps develop secondary female sex characteristics.

progesterone

a vital steroid hormone produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands that regulates the menstrual cycle, supports early pregnancy by thickening the uterine lining

pituitary gland

endocrine gland on the lower side of brain that regulates levels of sex hormones

hypothalamus

region of brain that regulates the pituitary gland/function of sex hormones

follicle stimulating hormones (FSH)

secreted by the pituitary. controls sperm production in males and maturation of the egg in females

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

secreted by pituitary, regulates estrogen secretion, ovum development, and testosterone production

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)

Substance that releases LH & FSH. Secreted by hypothalamus. Increased testosterone decreases amount of GnRH released

HPG axis (hypothalamus, pituitary, gonads)

Feedback loop. Hypothalamus releases GnRH, this regulates LH levels, which produce hormones & gametes

inhibin

hormone produced by the testes that regulates FSH in a negative feedback loop. surpresses FSH, therefore surpressing sperm production

Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH)

Produced by hypothalamus. works in opposition of GnRH, lowering the production of LH, FSH, and testosterone

XX and XY genes

XX —→ females

XY —→ males

SRY gene

sex determining region on the Y chromosome. Results in the manufacturing of testis-determining factor (TDF). TDF differentiates gonads into testes/triggers male development

genital tubercle

develops into glans penis in males, glans clitoris in females

where does genital swelling occur

scrotum in males, outer lips in females

Mullerian ducts

degenerates in males(doesn’t leave anything), becomes fallopian tubes, uterus, part of vagina in females

Wolffian duct

epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles in males. Degenerates in women (doesn’t leave anything)

Urethral primordia

prostrate & cowper’s gland in males, skene’s glands and Bartholin glands in females

Male brain vs female brain

• mostly similar

• hypothalamus: male’s becomes insensitive to estrogen, female’s gain estrogen receptors

• different experiences hardwire the brain differently

sexual strategies theory critiques

• limits on idea of men “spreading seed” —→ chances of impregnation are extremely slim

• children were often raised by tribe and not parents (SST relies on idea that only mom and dad is, parental investment)

intersex

• people born with atypical development of chromosomes, genitals, internal organs, hormones, and other factors

 Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH)

female produces excessive levels of androgens prenatally, therefore has male-appearing genitals at birth

 5-alpha reductase deficiency syndrome

occurs in males, they cannot convert testosterone to form male sex characteristics.

Menarche

the first mensuration a woman gets

Follicular phase

• first phase of the menstrual cycle

• pituitary secretes high levels of FSH to stimulate follicles in ovaries

• signals one follicle to bring an egg to final stage of maturity

• follicle also secretes estrogen

ovulation

• the follicle ruptures open and releases the mature egg

• estrogen rises, which inhibits FSH

• GnRH is produced, causing the pituitary to produce LH

• Surge in LH is trigger of ovulation

luteal phase

• after egg is released, follicle turns into corpus luteum due to stimulation from LH

• this makes progesterone, RAISING progesterone levels

• this inhibits secretion of LH, which causes the luteum to degenerate

• decline in estrogen and progesterone —→ signaling FSH production, starting the whole thing again

menstruation

• shedding of the uterine lining (endometrium)

• FSH rises, estrogen and progesterone are low

• TRIGGERED by low estrogen and progesterone

endometriosis

the endometrium grows in a place other than the vagina, resulting in very painful periods

Premenstrual dysphoria disorder

severe, chronic, and often debilitating form of PMS

glans clitoris

function primarily for sexual pleasure and arousal

mons pubis

pad of fatty tissue over female pubic area, serves as a cushion for pubic bones during intercouse

clitoral hood

protects glands from friction, pain, and overstimulation. Keeps it moist

labia majora

flaps of skin providing protective barrier for vulva

labia minora

protect vaginal & urethral opening from friction

Bartholin glands

function for lubrication

fourchette function

flap of skin on labia minora for protection, where inner lips come together

perineum

area of skin between vaginal opening and anus

introitus

vaginal opening

urethra

The tube through which urine passes from the bladder out of the body.

hymen

thin membrane that partially covers vaginal opening. Misconception that an intact hymen means virginity —→ sometimes there is no hymen. Lots of different types

cervix

The lower part of the uterus, which goes to the vagina.

ovary

organs that produce eggs and manufacture sex hormones

fallopian tube

The tubes extending from the uterus to the ovary; also called the oviducts.

uterus

The organ in which the fetus develops.

skene’s gland

AKA female prostate or G-spot, lies between wall of urethra and wall of vagina

mammary glands

present within breasts, produce milk

penis

male sex organ used during intercourse, releases sperm

corpus cavernosa

spongy bodies that lie on top of penis or on sides of clitoris that fill with blood during erections

corpus spongiosum

has the urethra running through the middle of it. During erection, it looks like a raised column on the lower side of the penis.

foreskin

additional layer of skin that forms a sheath-like covering over the glans

scrotum

loose pouch of skin, often with hair on it, that contains the testes. Shrinks and grows to regulate temperature of the testicles, ensuring they remain slightly cooler than body temp to preserve sperm

testes

manufacture testosterone and sperm

sperm

present in semen, contains male XY chromosomes, male reproductive cell