AI Powered Human Sexuality Exam 1 Flashcards

What are the similarities between the religions mentioned in class with regard to human sexuality?

• A desire to control sexuality

• Sex is power, it was risky,

• Sexuality positioned in marriage

• From a biological standpoint, this makes paternity certain. 

• Contrary to popular belief, many religions believe in pleasurable sex, just within marriage

• Personal restraint in sex

• Rules against adultery

Why might these similarities have occurred?

• ?????

• Sex is power? Pleasurable sex is universally possible?

What is a human universal?

• Features of culture, society, language, behavior, and mind that, so far as the record has been examined, are found among all peoples known to ethnography and history. 

Be able to list five human universals.

• Romantic love

• Female partner is younger than male

  • There may be a cognitive reason for this based on cognitive aging between sexes

• Incest prevention

• Magic used to win love

• Rape

• Rape condemned

• Differing sex status

• Sexual attraction

• Sexual attractiveness

• Sexual jealousy

• Sexual modesty

• Sexual regulation

• Sexuality as a focus of interest

What research practice did Kinsey use to reduce shame in his data collection?

• He shifted the framing of his question to focus on the last time someone engaged in an activity, rather than having them total up the number of times they’d ever engaged in it.

How do sexual and asexual species differ?

• Sexual

  • Reproduction through the combination of genetic material from differing sexes (almost always 2) in order to produce an offspring.

  • Genetic diversity

• Each individual in a species can create offspring using only their own DNA, does not require fusion of gametes.

• Genetic homogeneity

What is the cost of males?

• If each gestating member of the sexually reproducing population has two children the population is only held stable, instead of doubling in asexual reproduction. 

• Otherwise known as, males are inefficient if they do not gestate. 

Why do asexual species die out?

• They do not have the genetic diversity to withstand mutations. 

Why is sexual reproduction important from an evolutionary standpoint?

• The process of meiosis or recombination of genes in sexual organisms decreases the mutational load.

• Natural and sexual selection weed out individuals with high mutational load who are unable to reproduce.

What is the Fisher Muller hypothesis?

• Proposes that the advantage of sex is the rapid shuffling together of beneficial mutations so that they can be carried together to high frequency by natural selection

What is Mullers ratchet?

• Muller’s Ratchet is the process by which asexual reproductions accumulate harmful mutations over time, leading to an irreversible decline in genetic fitness due to the lack of recombination

What is the Red Queen hypothesis?

• Species must constantly adapt and evolve not just for reproductive advantage but also to survive against ever-evolving opposing organisms, such as predators, parasites, and competitors, in a dynamic environment. If a parasite attacks a species, it will have a hard time wiping it all out because of genetic diversity

What is anisogamy and why is it important for the evolution of two sexes?

• Sexual reproduction by the fusion of dissimilarly sized gametes. Females have large nutrient rich gametes that cannot move, males have tiny gametes that can move a lot. Females choose mates, males try to make themselves available to as many females as possible. 

What are the pros and cons of small gametes?

•  Pros

  • Can travel far

  • Can have a lot of them

  • Can fertilize a lot more

  • Do not need many nutrients

• Cons

  • Not strong against mutations

  • A lot of competition

  • Little to no nutrients 

What are the pros and cons of large gametes?

• Pros 

  • Have a lot of nutrients, greater support and success of zygotes

  • High demand

  • More protected against mutations

• Cons

  • Can't move

  • Less of them

  • Costly to produce

  • Takes a lot of resources during and after gestation

Understand why natural selection has selected two sizes of gametes: small and large. Hint: Why do midsize gametes not work?

• Best of both worlds. Mid-sized gametes are hard to move, do not have enough nutrients, and are not valuable enough/numerous enough to be effective

How does gamete size impact differing sexual strategies?

• Females select mates for their high value gametes, males compete and try to fertilize as many large gametes as possible

What is sexual selection?

• A mode of natural selection in which members of one biological sex choose mates of the other sex to mate with, and compete with members of the same sex for access to members of the opposite sex. Originally proposed by Darwin. 

What is intrasexual competition vs. intersexual competition?

• Intrasexual competition

  • Competing within the same sex (deer righting with horns)

• Intersexual

  • Being attractive to others so that you can be selected, otherwise known as mate choice

What is dual selection?

• Both sexes choose their mate, not just females choosing

What is sexual dimorphism?

• Two sexes of the same species exhibit different characteristics beyond the differences in their sexual organs. These differences can include variations in size, color, shape, structure, and behavior, and are often the result of sexual selection pressures.

How does sexual selection shape the traits individuals have in the population?

• More favorable traits will continue to exist as a result of natural selection and mate selection. This is how females have larger breast and butt tissue, and males are taller and stronger on average.

Which traits are males most likely to value in a mate? Why?

• Youthfulness; females will need to invest many years into mating and reproducing

• WHR (hourglass figure); may suggest optimal fat and energy for reproduction

• Skin quality and symmetry; suggests good health and genes

Which traits are females most likely to value in a mate? Why?

• Symmetry; suggests good health and genes

What is parental investment and why is it important for mate choice?

• Any investment by the parent in an individual offspring that increases the offsprings chance of surviving (and hence reproductive success).

• It is important because more investment typically means higher success

What is the grandmother hypothesis?

• The grandmother hypothesis posits that natural selection modified females to stay alive after the end of their reproductive years so that they can help their grandchildren (Hawkes et al., 2018).

How is mate choice similar for different sexual orientations and genders?

• There maintains the importance of youth and physical attractiveness, though this is not the same for everyone

Why is monogamy so prevalent in humans?

• Parents invest a lot in their children, and by extension their partners. 

• It is not guaranteed that secondary partners of males will produce offspring, so go with the “sure” thing. 

• Paternity certainty

• Limited resources to share and use to invest. Eggs in one basket. 

Why do we also see lots of polyamory in humans? (know the game theory example)

• Evolutionarily, when a mutation occurs and becomes widespread (monogamy), there can still be leftover old traits (polyamory)

• Dawkins (1976) used evolutionary game theory to explain the maintenance of different sexual behaviors. He called his game “the Battle of the Sexes.” 

  • It employs a quadrant of coy & fast (female phenotypes), and faithful & playboy (male phenotypes). 

  • In any scenario, we will always return to coy x faithful because it provides best? outcomes and other combinations inherently do not last long.

What is assortative mating?

• The tendency for people to match with partners who are similar to them on a variety of dimensions.

Which traits do we assortatively mate the most on? Which the least?

• Most

  • Height

  • Intelligence

  • Political Ideology

  • Religion

  • Education Level

  • Socioeconomic Status

  • Attractiveness

  • Ethnicity/Race

• Least

  • Personality

  • Blood Type

  • Interests/Hobbies

Be able to list AND describe 5 parts of anatomy and their functions.

• Testes

  • Male gonads where spermiogenesis occurs. 

• Scrotum: holds the testes and makes sure they are at the correct temperature

• Vas deferens: connects the seminal vesicles to create the ejaculatory duct

• Vagina

  • Intercourse

  • Birth/menstruation  

• Cervix

  • Connects vagina and uterus

• Ovaries

  • Female gonads

• Ovarian tubes

  • Directs eggs to the uterus

Why has sperm count declined in recent generations?

• Modernization has not been kind to sperm counts, evnironmental reasons such as heat, pollution, food additives, including endocrine disruptors 

At what rate is sperm count declining?

• About 1.5% per year

How do endocrine disruptors impact sexual development?

• Primary and secondary sexual characteristic development may become delayed. Decreases time to reproduce

What is sexual differentiation?

• The biological process in which people develop their sexual characteristics. It is driven my genetics, hormonal, and environmental factors. 

Which gene is responsible for starting male sexual differentiation?

• The SRY gene on the Y chromosome triggers male development.

• The SRY gene produces a protein that binds to DNA and alters its properties, which leads to the development of male gonads and the prevention of female reproductive structures.

Which hormones are responsible for sexual differentiation? Which sexes do these hormones primarily impact?

• Testosterone: 

  • Created in testes. Drives development of male external genitalia (penis, scrotum).

• Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH): 

  • Inhibits female duct development in males.

• Estrogen: 

  • Created in ovaries. Supports the development of female secondary sexual characteristics during puberty.

• Hormones typically surge at 8-12 weeks in gestation

What is the genital tubercle and the urogenital folds and how do these two anatomical features differ for males and females during sexual differentiation?

1. External Genital Differentiation

2. In males, the genital tubercle elongates to form the penis, while in females, it remains relatively small and forms the clitoris.

3. The urogenital folds become the scrotum in males or the labia in females.

What is the definition of intersex?

• Mixed sexual characteristics of males and females, not having clear distinction

What are the three main causes of an intersex diagnosis?

• Sex chromosome anomaly

• Hormonal anomaly

• Unclassified

Know the features of all the intersex conditions listed in the slides. A few will be randomly selected for the exam so make sure you understand them all!

• Chromosomal Disorder

  • Turners Syndrome

    • Chromosome: 45

    • A condition where a female is born with only one X chromosome or has an incomplete second X chromosome.

    • Symptoms: 

      • Short stature, delayed puberty, infertility, streak ovaries (partially developed ovaries), webbed neck, broad chest, heart defects, and certain learning disabilities.

    • Sex: 

      • Affects females

  • Klinefelter's Syndrome

    • Chromosome: 47

    • A condition where a male is born with an extra X chromosome, resulting in the karyotype 47,XXY

    • Symptoms: 

      • Reduced testosterone levels, breast development (gynecomastia), reduced muscle mass, infertility, wide hips, and learning difficulties

    • Sex: 

      • Affects males

  • Triple X Syndrome

    • Chromosome: 47

    • A condition where a female is born with an extra X chromosome, resulting in the karyotype 47,XXX

    • Symptoms:

      • Often mild, with possible tall stature, learning disabilities, and delayed development of speech and motor skills; many individuals show few or no symptoms

    • Sex

      • Typically affects females

  • Jacob’s Syndrome

    • Chromosome: 47

    • A condition where a male is born with an extra Y chromosome, resulting in the karyotype 47,XYY.

    • Symptoms: 

      • Taller than average height, acne, and learning disabilities; most individuals lead typical lives and may have normal fertility.

    • Sex: 

      • Affects males

• Hormonal Disorders

  • Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome

    • Chromosome: 46

    • A condition where an individual is genetically male (46,XY) but has a partial or complete inability to respond to androgens, leading to the development of female physical characteristics or ambiguous genitalia.

    • Symptoms: 

      • Individuals may have female external genitalia, but typically lack a uterus and have undescended testes; complete AIS leads to female appearance, while partial AIS may cause ambiguous genitalia.

    • Sex: 

      • Typically affects individuals with an XY karyotype

  • Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) 

    • a group of genetic disorders that affect the adrenal glands, which are responsible for producing hormones like cortisol, aldosterone, and androgens (sex hormones). CAH results from a deficiency in one of the enzymes needed to make these hormones, most commonly 21-hydroxylase.

    • Enzyme Deficiency:

      • In most cases, CAH is caused by a deficiency in the 21-hydroxylase enzyme, which is critical for producing cortisol (a stress hormone) and aldosterone (which helps regulate salt and water balance).

      • As a result, the adrenal glands overproduce androgens (male sex hormones). 

    • Effects on Hormones:

      • Low cortisol: Leads to problems with stress response, low blood sugar, and energy regulation.

      • Low aldosterone: Can cause salt-wasting, dehydration, and low blood pressure.

      • Excess androgens: Causes virilization (development of male characteristics) in both genetic males and females.

    • Types of CAH

      • Classic CAH (Severe Form):

        • Diagnosed in infancy or early childhood due to severe symptoms.

        • In females, this form often causes ambiguous genitalia at birth (the external genitals may not appear clearly male or female).

        • In both sexes, the lack of cortisol and aldosterone leads to a life-threatening condition called adrenal crisis if untreated. 

      • Non-Classic CAH (Milder Form):

        • Often diagnosed later in childhood or adulthood.

        • Symptoms can include early puberty, excessive body hair, irregular menstruation, or fertility issues in females, but genital development is usually normal.

How does congenital adrenal hyperplasia impact males and females differently?

• In Females:

  • Ambiguous genitalia at birth (enlarged clitoris, fused labia), but internal reproductive organs (ovaries, uterus) are normal.

  • May have early puberty, rapid growth, or increased body hair. 

• In Males:

  • Normal genitalia at birth, but they may experience early signs of puberty, such as deepening voice, early growth spurt, or enlarged genitals.

  • In both severe and mild forms, males can still face adrenal crises if hormone imbalances aren't managed.

What are the four stages of the Masters and Johnson model of sexual response?

• Excitement

• Plateau

• Orgasm

• Resolution

What is vasocongestion?

• Blood flows to relevant regions

What is myotonia?

• Contraction of the genital muscles and the rest of the body

Know what happens during each phase of the Masters and Johnson model of sexual response

• Excitement

  • Vasocongestion and myotonia

• Plateau

  • Sexual tensions continue to mount with vasocongestion and myotonia becoming more pronounced.

  • Penises are fully erect, the vaginal is fully lengthened, and the clit is retracted

• Orgasm

  • Muscles around the genitals make a series of brief, rhythmic contractions.

  • Generally, series of three to twelve contractions at intervals of slightly less than a second.

  • Observable changes in the rest of the body

• Resolution

  • Stimulation stops and the processes of excitement are reversed.

  • Penis becomes flaccid, vaginal entrance relaxes, upper 2/3 of vagina return to normal size. Male refractory period. 

What is the triphasic model of sexual response, what are the phases, and how does it differ from the Masters and Johnson model?

• The triphasic model includes the psychological state of desire

• Desire

  • Active

  • Receptive

• Excitement

• Resolution

What is the dual control model of sexual response and how does it differ from the Masters and Johnson model?

• Sexual arousal is controlled both by excitation & inhibition, as if on a balancing scale.

• People can be high or low on both or just one or the other.

• Includes both biological processes & learning experiences as arousal factors.

What is the erotic stimulus pathway theory? What are the stages? Why does your instructor not like this theory?

• 4 stages

• Seduction, sensations, surrender, and reflection

• Mainly focuses on psychological processes, with very little focus on biological processes. Though sex is inherently biological. 

• Does not like the terms employed and post nut clarity does not seem to hold weight

What are sexual dysfunctions/difficulties?

• A specific sexual issue persistently emerges and creates distress at either the level of the individual or of the relationship. Causes include biological, social, or psychological reasons

What is spectatoring?

• Over-thinking or over-analyzing one’s own sexual performance while having sex.

Why is it important that people realize sexual dysfunction is curable?

• So they will feel less shame, receive help, and stop any additional stress that may add to their issues

Why is dopamine important for sexual dysfunction?

• Not enough dopamine is related to lower motivation and reward-seeking behavior, while too much (in schizophrenia individuals) can lead to psychosis. 

• Dopamine facilitates sexual arousal

Why is prolactin important for sexual dysfunction?

• Prolactin levels, which are elevated during breastfeeding and immediately after orgasm (refractory), can suppress sexual desire.

Why is serotonin important for sexual dysfunction?

• Serotonin regulates mood, though too much of it inhibits sexual arousal

How does neuroticism impact sexual dysfunction?

• Neuroticism has a negative association with sexual satisfaction (r = -.18) and a positive association with sexual dysfunction (r = .16). More risky behaviors, hypersexuality, and partners over the lifetime

How does conscientiousness impact sexual dysfunction?

• Positive association with sexual satisfaction, negative with dysfunction, negative with risky behavior, and negative with sexual aggression

How does extraversion impact sexual dysfunction?

• Extraversion has a positive association with sexual satisfaction (r = .13) and a negative

• association with sexual dysfunction (r = -.17).

How does openness impact sexual dysfunction?

• Openness has a positive association with sexual satisfaction at r = .12 and a negative association with sexual dysfunction r = -.12

How does agreeableness impact sexual dysfunction?

• Agreeableness had a small association with decreased sexual activity r = -.10 but an increase in satisfaction r = .11

How does narcissism impact sexual dysfunction?

• Vulnerable narcissism is associated with reduced sexual satisfaction, functioning, and lower body image, while grandiose narcissism is related to extensive pornography use and sexual selfishness.

What is male hypoactive sexual desire disorder?

• Personal distress resulting from absent or reduced sexual fantasies and a lack of desire for sexual activity

What is female sexual interest/arousal disorder?

• Personal distress resulting from absent or reduced sexual fantasies and a lack of desire for sexual activity. Also less excitement and genital sensations. 

What is desire discrepancy?

• Where one partner has less sexual desire than the other and it generates relationship difficulties.

What is erectile disorder?

• Refers to a persistent inability to develop or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual performance.

What is persistent genital arousal disorder and what are its causes?

• Occurs in females & refers to uncontrollable sexual arousal occurring spontaneously, without being preceded by sexual desire or activity. Usually due to a pinched nerve in the spine.

What is priapism?

• Refers to an erection that lasts more than 4 hours.

What is genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder and what are the two disorders that it used to be?

• Occurs when one experiences pain in anticipation of or during vaginal intercourse, or when vaginal penetration is difficult. Was once called dyspareunia (any genital pain) and vaginismus. 

What is phimosis?

• Condition in which an uncircumcised foreskin is too tight and makes erections painful.

What is hypersexuality and how is it different from persistent genital arousal disorder?

• Hypersexuality is the frequent and repetitive sexual urges, fantasies, and behavior, though not necessarily compulsive. PGAD has a higher focus on the genitals and is constant orgasm denial for at least six months due to pinched nerve. 

What is out of control sexual behavior?

• An overarching category of sexual disorders characterized by compulsive hypersexuality

What is compulsive sexual behavior disorder?

• Impulse control disorder that's characterized by a persistent pattern of failure to control intense, repetitive sexual urges and behaviors.

What is misattribution of arousal and how does it work?

• Mistakenly attributing physiological signs to arousal, so being in a scary situation can trick oneself into thinking that they are aroused. 

How does proximity affect attraction, arousal, and partnering?

• Proximity has one of the highest correlations with attraction, arousal, and partnering

How, and why, does scarcity impact attraction and arousal?

• The more scarce your options are, the more heightened your attraction and arousal will be. Will dedicate more resources into securing something off-limits because it has been vetted by others. 

What is the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and what partners do we choose because of this complex? How does our choice change on birth control?

• A genetic system that contains multiple genes that encode proteins that bind peptide fragments from pathogens and display them on the cell surfacea genetic system that contains multiple genes that encode proteins that bind peptide fragments from pathogens and display them on the cell surface. 

• On birth control, this switch flips and people choose others more similar to them

What are the two main functions of the MHC complex?

• This serves as incest protection and selection for more dissimilar mates.

During what kind of sexual interaction is physical attractiveness most important?

• Casual sex

What does the prefrontal cortex do during sex?

• Inhibition control

What does prolactin do?

• Inhibits sexual desire

Who self reports the most sexual arousal during visual stimuli, and who has higher objective reports of arousal during visual sexual stimuli?

• Females report higher arousal, but males physically experience more arousal

What is arousal non concordance?

• Mismatching between physical and psychological arousal

What is the purpose of vocalization during sex?

• Sounds during sex more generally serve the function of enhancing communication to potentially improve the overall experience.

What are the three main (oversimplified) components of love?

• Attraction

• Lust

• Attachment

What are the three aspects of the geometry of love?

• Passion

• Intimacy

• Commitment

How do the aspects of the geometry of love combine to create different kinds of love? (e.g., infatuation, romantic love, liking).

• Nonlove: none of the above

  • Acquaintances

• Liking: no passion, yes intimacy, no commitment 

  • Close friends

• Infatuation: yes passion, no intimacy, no commitment 

  • Crushes 

• Empty love: no passion, no intimacy, yes commitment 

  • Some arranged marriages

• Fatuous love: yes passion, no intimacy, yes commitment 

  • Long-distance relationship

• Romantic love: yes passion, yes intimacy, no commitment 

  • FWB

• Companionate love: no passion, yes intimacy, yes commitment 

  • Long-term happy couples

• Consummate love: yes passion, yes intimacy, yes commitment 

  • Epic romances

What are the three main types of attachment and what are the details of each?

• Secure

• Insecure-anxious; security

• Insecure-avoidant; control and independence

What are the main parenting styles, and how did they impact attachment? Which were the “best” parenting styles?

• Authoritative

• Authoritarian

• Permissive

• Neglectful

Which attachment style is the worst for relationship outcomes?

• Insecure-avoidant on both parts is the worst for outcomes, but alone, self-rated anxious is also bad

What are the differences between monogamous and polyamorous relationships? What about similarities?

• Similarities

  • Length of relationship

  • Sexual frequency

  • Sexual fulfillment

  • Sexual compatibility

  • Passion

  • Excitement

  • Satisfaction

  • Marriage rates

  • Relationship health

• Differences

  • Poly has 

    • Slightly larger age gap

    • Frequency of porn use

    • Slightly less children

    • Slightly less marriage worries

    • Slightly less jealousy

    • Slightly more compatibility

How does relationship satisfaction change over time?

• Declines

What are some common negative communication styles in relationships?

• Low positive:negative comments 

• Making excuses

• Failing to take responsibility

• Appearing indifferent to your partner’s emotional concerns

What sexual frequency is ideal for a relationship?

• 1/week