Lecture Flashcards: Sexuality, Media Theories, and Psychosocial Concepts (Pages 1-8)

A set of practice flashcards covering key concepts, theories, and cross-cultural notes from Pages 1–8.

What did the Greeks believe about the first human?

The first human was double sided.

In medieval Christianity, what were wet dreams thought to be and punished for?

Thought to be entities (incubi and succubi) and punished for witchcraft and sodomy.

What does Cultivation Theory claim about media?

People think what they see on TV represents real life in their culture.

What does Framing Theory describe?

Media draws attention to some topics and not others.

What does Social Cognitive Theory emphasize about media influence?

Media influences behavior, thoughts, identification, and emotions.

What is Selectivity in media consumption?

People select and attend to only certain media and messages.

What does Reinforcing Spiral Theory propose?

One’s social identity and ideologies shape media use, and media use reinforces beliefs.

What is the Differential Susceptibility Model?

Not everyone reacts the same to the same media exposure.

How is Culture defined in these notes?

An environment created by humans including meanings that people adopt.

According to the notes, romantic kissing was present in 100 percent of which region’s countries?

Middle Eastern countries.

What unusual practice was described in Ponape?

Putting a fish in a woman’s vulva and licking it out prior to intercourse.

What eyebrow practice is described among Apinaye women?

They bite a man’s eyebrows and spit them aside.

How frequently was sex reported among Inis Beag people?

Sex only once or twice a month.

Describe the reported frequency of sex among Mangiains.

Sex several times a night, especially among the young.

What is the general attitude toward adult masturbation in many societies?

Disapproval.

What practice is noted for Siwans of Egypt?

Daughters’ clitoris cut around ages 7–8 to decrease libido.

Which sexual acts are described as most taboo in the notes?

Incest is the most forbidden; extramarital sex is the second most taboo.

Which three countries were noted as having the most positive attitudes toward sex?

Denmark, Netherlands, and Sweden.

What are the two general rules about same-gender sex variation?

The behavior appears in some contexts; it is never the predominant form.

What is sexual signaling equated to?

Flirting.

In neuro terms, how is sex regulated in lower versus higher species?

Lower species: hormonal; higher species: in the brain.

What is notable about Rhesus macaques in the notes?

They have an orgasm-like response with elevated heart rate and uterine contractions.

Describe the dom/sub dynamic observed in two male monkeys.

The dominant mounts the subordinate (dom/sub relationship).

What does sexual behavior for non-sexual purposes usually signal?

End of a fight.

What is Phallic Aggression?

Using an erect penis as part of an aggressive display against another male.

How is Sexual Health defined?

A social and political movement; a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being in relation to sexuality.

Name some early sex researchers mentioned.

Freud, Havelock Ellis, Krafft-Ebing, Magnus Hirschfeld.

What is Sociobiology?

Application of evolutionary biology to understand social behavior; natural selection.

Why do humans tend to prefer certain looks in mates, according to the notes?

Because looks can indicate health and vigor.

What is a Pair Bond?

Between mother and father; a bond indicating actual love.

What is Attachment in this context?

A propensity for attachment between parents.

What does Parental Investment refer to?

Behaviors/resources invested in offspring by parents to increase survival.

What is Sexual Selection?

Differences between males and females driven by mating opportunities; male competition and female choice.

What are common criticisms of Sociobiology?

Perceived biological determinism and reliance on an outmoded evolutionary theory.

What does Evolutionary Psychology focus on?

Psychological mechanisms shaped by evolution.

What is Sexual Strategies Theory?

Women and men face different adaptive problems in short-term vs. long-term mating.

In short-term mating, what might a woman seek?

Immediate resources (such as food and money).

In long-term mating, what might a woman seek?

A partner who appears able and willing to provide resources for the future.

What does Gowaty’s gender-neutral evolutionary theory propose?

Evolution of millions of years has favored flexible behaviors rather than fixed gender differences.

What are the four major theories in psychology relevant to sexuality?

Psychoanalytic theory, learning theory, social exchange theory, and cognitive theory.