Sex! Woo Hoo! Finally something interesting! Males: born with Primary Sex Characteristics like a penis, testes, a scrotum, and a prostate Females: Primary Sex Characteristics include a vagina, a uterus, and ovaries At puberty physical changes start as a result of hormonal changes. Secondary characteristics: Males: facial/body hair, voice deepens, skin gets coarser, genitalia grow, + growth spurt Females: menstrual cycle, hip spread, breast growth, body hair, fat deposits, growth spurt
Everybody starts off in neutral. At 5 weeks Jr. has generic gonads & 2 sets of tubes: Wolffian ducts (M) and Mullerian Ducts (F). If we ve got XY chromosomes on the 23 rd pair gonads release testosterone (an androgen) and the W ducts develop, while M ducts deteriorate If we ve got XX chromosome (no testosterone) then M ducts develop while W ducts deteriorate thanks to the presence of Estrogens Occasionally genetic/hormonal issues lead to the development of both types of sex organs, referred to as intersexed (a.k.a.hermaphrodite).
What s the difference between gender & sex? Sex is biological, whereas Gender is defined as the psychological aspects of being masculine or feminine Gender Roles are the cultural expectations attitudes, actions & personality traits Gender Typing: learning cultural expectations for proper masculine/feminine behavior Gender Identity: one s personal sense of being male or female Transgendered: mismatch between my gender identity and my sex (DSM 5 GID)
What factors influence Gender? 1.One s external sexual characteristics 2.Hormones: prenatal excess androgen exposure in females tomboys as girls but typical females as adults. 3.Brain structures & functions 4.Parenting 5.Culture (more personality influence) Theories on Gender Role Development? 6.Social Learning Theory 7.Gender Schema Theory And let s chat briefly about sex role stereotypes... Are all males really insensitive and unemotional? Are all females nurturing and subservient?
Any way around the stereotypes? The Bems raise their kids to be androgynous. There are some cognitive differences between the sexes but these are fading There are social / communication differences between the sexes as well Are we gonna talk about sexual behavior? Yup. Masters and Johnson begin the scientific study process with 700 volunteers. Actually do measurements with electronic equipment. LOTS of pressure NOT to carry out such investigations. Sex was a forbidden topic, and as such, the study used prostitutes initially.
So, what did they discover? Four phases of the sexual response cycle 1.The excitement phase: HR, BP, breathing rate all go up. 2.The plateau phase: more of everything 3.The orgasm phase: rhythmic muscular contractions. 4.The resolution phase: body gradually returns to normal All have different timing, and men may experience a refractory period in phase 4
Kinsey decides to investigate another way Survey folks (guys only at first) using face-toface interviews. Bias toward young, educated, urban Protestants, but lots of interesting data Janus and Janus do a follow up 50 years later and get very similar results Let s talk Sexual Orientation for a moment Heterosexual: attracted to opposite sex Homosexual: attracted to same sex Bisexual: attracted to both sexes Something else?
Discrimination still common for non-heterosexuals These folks are more likely to be excluded, shamed, and bullied; and are more likely to use drugs, engage in risky behavior, feel suicidal... but - attitudes are gradually starting to change. So is this a choice? What causes these alternate orientations? Prenatal stress in 2 nd trimester affects males Birth order and siblings? Neurological developmental differences Genes. Twin studies show heritability quotient similar to intelligence
What about sexual dysfunctions & problems? What sorts of causes have been identified? Organic factors (drug side effects, illness) Social factors: negative attitudes toward sexual behavior (certain conservative groups) Psychological factors: personal or relationship issues, trauma, abuse, etc Most disorders are desire or arousal related, with some differences between the sexes. Speaking of arousal disorders, what about paraphilias? Seem to have psychological origin.
And last but not least, what about STDs? Many infections are bacterial and can now be treated fairly effectively; like syphilis, gonorrhea Many are viral, and much more resistant (or impossible) to treat or cure; like herpes, HPV And no review would be complete without a mention of AIDS and HIV.