Sexual Self

The female offspring is a result of the combination of the XX chromosomes at the time of fertilization while the XY combination results in a male offspring.

Testosterone

- dominant male hormone

Estrogen & Progesterone - dominant female hormones

Maturation

- refers to the development of secondary

sexual characteristics

Puberty

- the ovaries for girls and testes for boys

become active leading to the increased

production of the sex hormones

- girls experience puberty by a year or two

earlier than the boys

Menarche

- first menstruation; initiates on puberty

for girls

Nocturnal Emission - wet dreams; initiates on puberty for boys

Primary Sexual Characteristics

- sexual organs; develop during the fetal

development of an organism

Secondary Sexual Characteristics

- other changes that occur in relation with

the development of the organism; develop

around the pubertal age

Female Secondary SC - includes deposition of fat, predominantly

in the breasts and hips, breast development,

and broadening of the pelvis and growth of

axillary and pubic hair

Male Secondary SC

- includes increased larynx size and

deepening of voice, increased muscular

development, growth of facial, axillary,

and pubic hair, and increased growth of body

hair

Human Sexuality

- complex phenomenon which involves the

interaction of a person’s biological sex,

core gender identity, and gender role

behavior

Erogenous Zones

- primarily receptive and increase sexual

arousal when touched in a sexual manner

Sexual Activity

- any activity that induces sexual arousal

Socio-sexual

- taking place between two persons or in a

group; persons involved may be petting,

necking or engage in coitus

Human Sexual Response Cycle

- refers to the sequence of physical and

emotional changes that occur as a person

becomes sexually aroused and participates

in sexually stimulating activities

Excitement Phase

- increase in pulse and blood pressure,

resulting in increased skin

temperature, flushing, and swelling of

all distensible body parts, more rapid

breathing, secretion of genital

fluids, vaginal expansion, and general

increase in muscle tension

Plateau Phase

- generally of brief duration; if

stimulation is continued, orgasm

usually occurs

Sexual climax

- marked by feeling of abrupt, intense

pleasure, rapid increase in pulse rate

and blood pressure, and spasms of the

pelvic muscles causing contractions of

the female reproductive organ and

ejaculation by the male

Resolution Phase

- refers to the return to normal or

subnormal physiologic state

Roy Hunt

-“The ability to accept responsibility is the measure of the man”

Three Stages of Love- Helen Fisher identified three stages

Lust (libido or sex drive)

- characterized by the desire for

sexual gratification which is inherent

to every living organism

Attraction (passionate or obsessive love, infatuation)

-

characterized by the intense

attention given to a desired partner

Driven by chemicals and hormones:

Adrenaline

- released by the body for “fight”

or “flight”

Dopamine

- ignites an intense rush of

pleasure when released

Serotonin

- attributed to “falling in

love”; makes a person think of his

or her desired partner at most

times

Attachment (compassionate love)

- characterized by the desire of

couples to stay together

Driven by major hormones:

Oxytocin

- cuddle hormone, released during

orgasm. The feeling of attachment becomes more intense after the couple has sexual intercourse.

Vasopressin

- anti-diuretic hormone, released

after intercourse.