Chapter 11 Gender, Sex, and Sexuality

1. Chapter 11 Gender, Sex, and Sexuality

2. Chapter Preview Defining Sex and Gender Theories of Gender Development Gender Differences Sexual Orientation Sexual Behaviors and Practices Sexual Variations and Disorders Sexuality and Health and Wellness

3. Defining Sex Properties that determine male or female • 23rd pair of chromosomes: XY or XX • gonads (ovaries, testes) • gonadal hormones: estrogens or androgens • internal reproductive structures • external genitalia • secondary sex characteristics (at puberty)

4. Defining Gender …social and psychological aspects of being female or male Gender Identity • masculinity (instrumentality) • femininity (expressiveness) • androgyny (both)

5. Sexual Development • embryonic development of gonads and genitalia • SRY gene  testes androgens  male physiology • female is “default” condition • gender differences in regards to the brain - size of brain parts - function of brain parts - corresponding cognitive function - which part of brain involved in particular behaviors

6. Sexual Development Disorders of Sexual Development - congenitally atypical chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical development - questions of relation of DSD to gender development Transgender Experience Gender Identity Disorder - not considered a disorder in France or Great Britain - gender dysphoria - sex reassignment surgery

7. Gender Development Biological Accounts • behavioral difference in newborns and infants Evolutionary Accounts • selection pressures for gendered behaviors - competition for mate (usually by male) - preferences/choice for quality mate (usually by female) - reproductive challenges: quality v. quantity

8. Gender Development Social Cognitive Accounts • experience influences sense of gender • socialization (rewards, punishments, modeling) • gender schema (mental framework) Social Role Theory • division of labor - natural differences become expected/valued differences - gender roles and gender stereotypes

9. Gender Differences Who are more ___________? For each adjective on the next slide, answer as quickly as you can with either “men” or “women”.

10. Gender Differences Who are more . . . assertive rational emotional aggressive strong sexually adventurous creative reserved verbal active

11. Gender Differences Cognitive Differences • math and science? • verbal performance (female advantage) • visuospatial ability (male advantage) • general intelligence (no advantage) Differences due to: - social expectations and support v. evolved roles - gender similarities hypothesis

12. Gender Differences Differences in Aggression • overt aggression (physical/verbal harm) - males more than females • relational aggression (harm social standing) - females more than males • why the difference? testosterone? evolutionary pressures? socialization?

13. Gender Differences Differences in Sexuality • females more selective in regards to casual sex • males more often aroused, stronger sex drive, less fidelity • women more likely to engage in bisexuality or be aroused by bisexual stimuli Explanations: • biological - genetic/hormonal differences • evolutionary - sexual selection • social cognitive - learned behavior • social role - culturally constructed

14. Sexual Orientation …direction of erotic interests - refers to more than just sexual behavior Orientations: - heterosexual (90% of population) - homosexual - bisexual

15. Sexual Orientation Orientation is not influenced by… • being reared by a gay parent • parenting style • childhood sexual experimentation

16. Origins of Sexual Orientation Thinking critically about sexual orientation: • probably not a single cause • within-group variation • research challenges such as recruitment • meaning of cross-sex similarities • consideration of more than just homosexuality

17. Sexual Orientation Orientation is influenced by • genetics • corpus callosum thickness and hemispheric symmetry • prenatal hormones • social factors (gender non-conforming behavior)

18. Gay and Lesbian Functioning • similarities to heterosexual population -attitudes, psychological adjustment • difference from heterosexual population - hobbies, activities, occupations • coping with prejudice and discrimination - coming out

19. Gay and Lesbian Functioning Relationships • report greater satisfaction than heterosexuals • more likely to end relationships than heterosexuals Families • less likely to have children • children of gay couples have not shown differences from other children

20. Sexual Behavior What constitutes sexual behavior? • infidelity or loss of virginity • activities involved in reproduction • arousal and sexual response • unusually intimate and personal activity as defined by the participants

21. Sexual Behavior Kinsey’s (1948) research are most people promiscuous or faithful? does marriage decrease sexual activity? what percentage of the population are virgins? how often do we have sex (on average)? who masturbates the most?

22. Sexual Response Pattern Human Sexual Response Pattern excitement plateau orgasm resolution/male refractory period

23. Sexual Cognition Cognitive factors in sexual behavior • self-monitoring and self-regulation • fantasy and imagery • sexual scripts

24. Influences on Sexuality Influence of Culture • Inis Beag • Mangaia Sex Education • abstinence-only v. comprehensive

25. Sexual Variations & Disorders • fetishes • paraphilias • pedophilia • disorders of sexual desire/response • female dysfunction in arousal • erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation

26. Sexuality and Health and Wellness Sexually Transmitted Infections • bacterial: gonorrhea, syphilis • viruses: genital herpes, HIV Safe Sex • abstinence 100% effective • risk reduction with condom use Psychological Well-Being • sexual activity is predictor of satisfaction in relationships

27. Chapter Summary Define the terms “sex” and “gender”. Explain the biological, evolutionary, social-cognitive, and social role accounts of gender development. Summarize the well-documented gender differences. Describe the similarities and differences among gays, lesbians, and heterosexuals. Discuss sexual variations and disorders. Explain how sexuality affects health and wellness.

28. Chapter Summary Defining Sex and Gender Theories of Gender Development • biological • evolutionary • social-cognitive • social roles Gender Differences

29. Chapter Summary Sexual Orientation • influences on sexual orientation • gay and lesbian functioning and relationships Sexual Behavior • sexual activity • human sexual response pattern Sexual Disorders Sexuality and Health and Wellness • sexually transmitted infections