Gender, Sex and Sexuality

1. Gender, Sex and Sexuality AP Psychology Alice F. Short Hilliard Davidson High School

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 • pair of genes • gonads = glands (part of endocrine system) • ovaries (either side of abdomen) • testes (in scrotum, the pouch of skin below the penis) • gonadal hormones: estrogens or androgens • gametes – the ova and sperm  will be used in reproduction • internal reproductive structures • DOCUMENTARY: It’s a Girl

4. Defining Sex • external genitalia • female: vulva • mons pubis – a fleshy area just above the vagina • labia – lips surrounding the vaginal opening • clitoris – a small sensory organ at the top where the labia meet • male • penis • scrotum • secondary sex characteristics (at puberty) – traits that differ between the two sexes but are not part of the reproductive system • breasts • facial hair • sex may not equal psychological experience (gender)

5. Defining Gender • gender - social and psychological aspects of being female or male • goes beyond biological sex • includes a person’s understanding of the meaning to his or her own life of being male or female • Gender Identity • masculinity (instrumentality) • femininity (expressiveness) • androgyny (both) • undifferentiated (neither)

6. 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

7. Sexual Development • Disorders of Sexual Development • formerly called intersex conditions / hermaphroditism • 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– distress over one’s born sex • sex reassignment surgery

8. 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 • human infants = helpless  adaptive for men to invest in their offspring • is it mine? (younger ladies)

9. Gender Development • Social Cognitive Accounts • experience influences sense of gender • socialization (rewards, punishments, modeling) • Albert Bandura– modeling is an especially potent mechanism for transmitting values • gender schema (mental framework) • gender-nonconforming behavior • peers = harsher than family after age 6 • DOCUMENTARY: Miss Representation • (You can’t be who you can’t see.)

10. Gender Development • Social Role Theory • division of labor • natural differences become expected/valued differences • gender roles – expectations for how females and males should think, act and feel • gender stereotypes – overly general beliefs and expectations about what women and men are like • institutional structures • patterns of opportunity that perpetuate gender differences • women have resources  less likely to prefer men with resources • TED Talks: Sheryl Sandberg • Summary of Gender and Gender Development Theories on p. 357

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

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

13. 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 – Janet Shibley Hyde’s proposition that men and women (and boys and girls) are much more similar than they are different

14. Gender Differences • Differences in Aggression • overt aggression (physical/verbal harm) • males more than females • relational aggression (harm social standing) • females more than males • severely damaging psychologically • why the difference? • testosterone? • evolutionary pressures? • socialization? • conduct disorder – a pattern of offensive behavior that violates the basic rights of others (3x more like in boys)

15. Gender Differences • Differences in Sexuality (p. 360-361- Inquiry) • females more selective in regards to casual sex • “bed” = none, “apartment” = very few, “going out” = 50% • males more often aroused, stronger sex drive, less fidelity • “bed” = 75%, “apartment” = 70%, “going out” = 50% • women more likely to engage in bisexuality or be aroused by bisexual stimuli; show changes in their sexual patterns/desires • Explanations: • biological - genetic/hormonal differences • evolutionary - sexual selection • social cognitive - learned behavior • social role - culturally constructed

16. Sexual Orientation • sexual orientation - direction of erotic interests - refers to more than just sexual behavior • Orientations: (operational definition matters) • heterosexual (90% of population) • homosexual (1500 animal species) • bisexual

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

18. 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

19. Sexual Orientation • Orientation is influenced by • genetics • corpus callosum thickness and hemispheric symmetry • prenatal hormones • 2D:4D ratio • women have the same length • men / “butch” lesbian women have a ring finger longer than their pointer (male prenatal androgens) • cognitive factors • social factors (gender non-conforming behavior)

20. Gay and Lesbian Functioning • similarities to heterosexual population • attitudes, psychological adjustment • difference from heterosexual population • hobbies, activities, occupations • coping with prejudice and discrimination • 1984: 24% knew someone gay; 2006: 70% knew someone gay • Generation Next (1981-1988): 58% homosexuality should be accepted, just under ½ thought same-sex marriage should be legal • coming out

21. Gay and Lesbian Functioning • Relationships • report greater satisfaction than heterosexuals • kids  reduce happiness / relationship satisfaction • more likely to end relationships than heterosexuals • legal tie of marriage  associated with relationship stability • Families • less likely to have children • children of gay couples have not shown differences from other children

22. 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 • What do you think constitutes sexual behaviors? Does that definition change when you think about cheating?

23. Sexual Behavior: Kinsey Scale

24. Sexual Behavior • Kinsey’s (1948) research • 12% men, 7% women = bixsexual • are most people promiscuous or faithful? • 50% men = unfaithful • later research: 85% women, 75% men = faithful • does marriage decrease sexual activity? • what percentage of the population are virgins? • aged 15-44: men 10%, women 8% • aged 25-44: 3% • how often do we have sex (on average)? who masturbates the most? • men (per month): • vaginal intercourse: 5 times • masturbation: 4.5 times • oral sex: 2 times • Women (per month) • vaginal intercourse: 5 times • masturbation: fewer than 2 times • oral sex: 2 times

25. Sexual Response Pattern • Human Sexual Response Pattern (William Masters and Virginia Johnson) • excitement – begins the process of erotic responsiveness • several minutes to several hours • engorgement of blood vessels, increased blood flow to genital areas, partial penile erection • plateau – continuation and heightening • increased breathing, pulse rate, blood pressure • penile erection / vaginal lubrication complete • orgasm • 3-15 seconds • explosive charge of neuromuscular tension • release of neurotransmitter oxytocin • resolution/malerefractory period • blood vessels return to normal state • Helen Singer Kaplan: initials stage of desire should be added • some patients lacked sexual desire

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

27. Influences on Sexuality • Influence of Culture • InisBeag • Mangaia • Sex Education • abstinence-only v. comprehensive

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

29. 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

30. 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.

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

32. 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