gender and sexuality

1. Lecture 1 Gender (LIHernandez)
An Introduction
Gender & Human Sexuality

2. Lecture 1 Gender (LIHernandez)
Lecture Overview
 Sex and Gender
 The Study of Human Sexuality
 Sexual Behavior
 Sexual Problems
 Sexually Transmitted Infections

3. Lecture 1 Gender (LIHernandez)
Sex and Gender
 Sex refers to the biological aspects of being male
or female (and the physical acts of
intercourse/masturbation)
 Sex differences are physical differences
 Gender refers to the psychological and
sociocultural meanings added to biological sex
 Gender differences result from people’s thinking about
gender

4. Lecture 1 Gender (LIHernandez)
Dimensions of Sex
Sex Dimensions Male Female
1. Chromosomes
2. Gonads
3. Hormones
4. External genitalia
5. Internal accessory organs
6. Secondary sex
characteristics
7. Sexual orientation
XY XX
Testes Ovaries
Androgens Estrogens
Penis, scrotum Labia, clitoris,
vaginal opening
Prostate, seminal Vagina, uterus,
vesicles, fallopian tubes,
vas deferens cervix
Beard, low voice, Breasts,
sperm emission menstruation
Heterosexual, gay, Heterosexual,
bisexual lesbian, bisexual

5. Lecture 1 Gender (LIHernandez)
Human Reproductive Structures

6. Lecture 1 Gender (LIHernandez)
Gender Dimensions
Gender Dimensions Male Female
8. Gender identity Perceives self Perceives self
as male as female
9. Gender role Masculine Feminine
Gender identity is self-defined
Gender role is socially-defined

7. Lecture 1 Gender (LIHernandez)
Determinants of Gender Identity
 Gender identity refers to the personal view of oneself as male
or as female
 Environmental factors were assumed to be central
determinants of gender identity
 Notion was that social-cultural influences shaped gender identity
 The case of the castrated identical twin whose gender identity was
reassigned following a botched circumcision was taken as important
evidence for the role of environmental factors
 Problem: he later rejected the reassignment and took on a male gender
identity (now this case supports a biological view of gender identity)

8. Lecture 1 Gender (LIHernandez)
Gender Role Development
 Gender roles are societal expectations for
normal and appropriate female and male
behavior
 Social-learning theory argues that gender roles develop as
children:
 receive rewards/punishments for gender role behaviors
 watch and imitate the behaviors of others
 Cognitive-developmental theory argues that children develop
gender schemas

9. Lecture 1 Gender (LIHernandez)
Gender Differences
 Cognitive abilities
 Females score higher on verbal skills
 Males score higher on math, visual-spatial skills
 Aggression
 Males exhibit greater physical aggressiveness
 Females are higher on relational aggression
 E.g. spreading rumors about others, ignoring or
excluding others

10. Lecture 1 Gender (LIHernandez)
Androgyny
 Androgyny – combining characteristics
considered typically male with characteristics
considered typically female
 Masculine and androgynous individuals
generally have higher self-esteem and
creativity, are more socially competent and
motivated to achieve, and exhibit better
overall mental health.

11. Lecture 1 Gender (LIHernandez)
Scientific Study of Sexuality
 Havelock Ellis was among the first physicians to initiate a
scientific study of sexuality
 His studies revealed that nocturnal emissions were not
dangerous
 Ellis later came to promote the dissemination of accurate
information on human sexuality
 Alfred Kinsey used surveys and interviews to study sexual
practices and beliefs
 Masters and Johnson brought the study of sexuality into the
laboratory to study the sexual response cycle

12. Lecture 1 Gender (LIHernandez)
Sexual Response Cycle

13. Lecture 1 Gender (LIHernandez)
Sexual Activity
 Men are thought to have greater sexual drive, interest and
activity than do women. Why?
 Evolutionary Perspective: Men developed an interest in sex with
multiple partners in order to maximize the likelihood of passing
on their genes; women seek a good provider
 Social Role Approach: Gender differences reflect cultural roles
and division of labor
 Women prefer resource-rich men, but only when they lived
in cultures with little reproductive freedom/educational
equality

14. Lecture 1 Gender (LIHernandez)
Sexual Orientation
 Homosexuality may reflect the impact of biological
factors on sexual orientation
 Biological factors are supported by twin studies that
suggest genetic influence on sexual orientation
 Homosexuality does not reflect
 Poor parenting: smothering mother, detached father
 Arrested development or an immature personality
 Childhood seduction by adults
 Modeling of gay behaviors and views from others

15. Lecture 1 Gender (LIHernandez)
Sexual Function
 Sexual behavior in males and females involves
arousal of the peripheral sex organs, the spinal
cord, and the brain.
 Factors that modulate activity within any of these regions
can impair sexual function
 Sexual arousal involves activity within the
parasympathetic nervous system (allows for blood flow to
the sex organs)
 Sexual orgasm involves the activation of the sympathetic
nervous system

16. Lecture 1 Gender (LIHernandez)
Sexual Dysfunctions
 Male sexual problems
 Impotence (inability to maintain an erection)
 Premature ejaculation
 Male and Female
 Dyspareunia (painful intercourse)
 Inhibited desire
 Sexual aversion
 Female
 Orgasmic dysfunction
 Vaginismus (painful contraction of the vaginal muscles)

17. Lecture 1 Gender (LIHernandez)
Sex Therapy: Masters and Johnson
• Therapy focuses on the relationship
• Therapy integrates physiological and
psychosocial factors
• Therapy focuses on cognitive factors
• Therapy focuses on specific behavioral
techniques

18. Lecture 1 Gender (LIHernandez)
Drug Actions on Sexuality
 Alcohol: Reduced testes size and suppressed hormone
function
 Cocaine: Erectile disorder, inhibited orgasm, lowered
sperm counts
 Barbiturates: Reduced desire, erectile disorder, delayed
orgasm
 Marijuana: Reduced testosterone levels, reduced desire
 Tobacco: Decreases the frequency and duration of
erections and of vaginal lubrication

19. Lecture 1 Gender (LIHernandez)
Sexually Transmitted Diseases

20. Lecture 1 Gender (LIHernandez)
AIDS
 Although AIDS is transmitted only through
sexual contact or exposure to infected bodily
fluids, many people have irrational fears of
contagion.
 One million North Americans are HIV
positive and therefore carriers