10.6 Summary of Concepts

Summary of Concepts

LO 1     Define sex and distinguish it from sexuality.

Sex can refer to a sexual act such as intercourse or masturbation. Sex also refers to the classification of someone as male or female based on genetic composition and structure and/or function of reproductive organs. Sexuality refers to sexual activities, attitudes, and behaviors.

LO 2     Identify the biological factors that determine sex.

The 23rd pair of chromosomes, also referred to as the sex chromosomes, provides specific instructions for the zygote to develop into a female or male (the biological sex of the individual). The egg from the mother carries an X chromosome, and the sperm from the father carries either an X chromosome or a Y chromosome. When both members of the 23rd pair are X chromosomes (XX), the zygote will generally develop into a female. When the 23rd pair contains an X chromosome and a Y chromosome (XY), the zygote generally develops into a male.

LO 3     Identify some of the causes of intersexual development.

Intersexuality can result from genetic irregularities, hormone activity early in development, and/or environmental factors. In some cases, there are too many sex chromosomes, or one missing. In other cases, the sex chromosomes are normal, but the developing fetus does not respond to hormones in a typical way.

LO 4     Define gender and explain how culture plays a role in its development.

Gender refers to the dimension of masculinity and femininity based on social, cultural, and psychological characteristics. It is often used in reference to the cultural roles that distinguish males and females. We generally learn by observing other people’s behavior and by internalizing cultural beliefs about what is appropriate for men and women.

LO 5     Distinguish between transgender and transsexual.

Sometimes societal expectations of being male or female differ from what an individual is feeling inwardly, leading to feelings of discontent. Transgender refers to the mismatch between a person’s gender assigned at birth and his or her gender identity. Some transgender people try to resolve this discontent through medical interventions. A transsexual person seeks or undergoes a social transition to an alternative gender by making changes to his or her body through sex reassignment surgery and/or medical treatment.

LO 6     Describe the human sexual response as identified by Masters and Johnson.

The human sexual response is the physiological pattern that occurs during sexual activity. Men and women tend to experience a similar pattern or cycle of excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution, but the duration of these phases varies from person to person.

LO 7     Define sexual orientation and summarize how it develops.

According to the American Psychological Association, sexual orientation is the “enduring pattern” of sexual, romantic, and emotional attraction that individuals exhibit toward the same sex, opposite sex, or both sexes. Sexual orientation may be heterosexual (when a person is attracted to members of the opposite sex), homosexual (attracted to members of the same sex), or bisexual (attracted to both sexes). Research has focused on the causes of sexual orientation, but there is no strong evidence pointing to any one factor or factors. Sexual orientation is the result of a complex interaction between nature and nurture.

LO 8     Identify the symptoms of sexual dysfunctions.

Difficulties related to sexual activity can be divided into four sometimes overlapping categories: desire, arousal, orgasm, and pain. Problems associated with desire must be persistent to be considered a dysfunction.

When an individual has the desire to engage in sexual behavior, but the body does not cooperate, an arousal problem exists. Difficulties with orgasm may include reduced orgasmic intensity and the inability to reach orgasm. Problems associated with pain are more frequently reported by women, and may also be associated with reduced desire and arousal.

LO 9     Classify sexually transmitted infections and identify their causes.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections caused by viruses and bacteria and are contracted through sexual activity. Having multiple sexual partners increases the risk of getting an STI; however, awareness that a partner has had (or is having) sex with other partners lowers the risk somewhat. Once aware of a partner’s activities, one is more inclined to take preventive measures, such as using condoms. Syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia are bacterial infections. Genital herpes, human papillomavirus, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are viral infections.

LO 10     Describe human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and its role in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is spread through the transfer of bodily fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluid, or breast milk) and eventually causes the breakdown of the immune system. HIV often does not show up on blood tests for up to 6 months after infection occurs; it eventually progresses to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), which generally results in a severely compromised immune system. A weakened immune system makes the body much more susceptible to opportunistic infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, and this vulnerability increases as the disease progresses.

LO 11     Define sexual scripts and describe some of the ways people deviate from sex-related cultural norms.

Sexual scripts are cultural rules about what is and is not appropriate sexual activity. There is a range or continuum of sexual behavior, and the overwhelming majority of it is perfectly normal. Yet some sexual behaviors are rare and/or problematic. For example, paraphilia refers to uncommon sexual behaviors that are repeated and compulsive. Paraphilia typically involves nonhuman objects and may cause suffering or humiliation for those involved.

key terms

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