Summary Human Sexuality Today Chapters 1-2,4-9, 11, 13-14. 16 PDF

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Chapter 1: Why A Course in Human Sexuality  For the exam, make sure to study syllabus grading and attendance policy  Know the female and male structures and their relation to one another  Sexuality: all of the sexual attitudes, feelings and behaviors associated with being human. Refers to a dimension of one’s personality o The majority of Americans are ignorant about sexual behaviors  Cross-Cultural Comparisons o Missionary position: a face-to-face position of sexual intercourse in which the woman lies on her back and the man lies on top- Christian missionaries instructed people that other positions were unnatural o Ethnocentric: the attitude that the behaviors and customs of one’s own ethic group or culture are superior to others o Sexual Attractiveness  Differ from culture to culture  In the US, armpits have a negative connotation while in Abkhazian men are highly aroused at seeing women’s armpits  Some cultures don’t see breasts are erotic- only for feeding babies  Great deal of pressure in our culture to be fit  Plumb women were considered attractive in western cultures a few centuries ago o Sexual Behaviors and Attitudes  Kissing is highly erotic in western cultures  Japanese, Hindus and other African cultures do not regard this as erotic  Mangaians • Most sexually permissive group of people • Live in the cook islands in the south Pacific • Mangians girls and boys play together till age of 3 or 4 but after that they separate into age groups according by sex • When boys reach adolescent, they are supersized • Boys are then taught all aspects of sex- how to pleasure a woman • Girls receive similar instructions from older women • The boys are given to an experienced women, who removes the superincision scab during intercourse and teaches the boy an array of sexual techniques • After that, the boy seeks out girls at night, having sex on average 18-20 times a week • Have sex in huts with families and the parents have to act ignorant to it • Physical pleasure is emphasized and emotional attachment comes later  Inis Baeg • Most sexually repressed society in the world

• On the coast of Ireland • Sex is taboo • Nudity is strictly forbidden • Married adults do not see each other completely naked • Foreplay is unheard of-always done in missionary • Wear under garments with openings o Cultural Diversity within the United States  Religion, level of education and socioeconomic status all play into their attitude on sex  Oral sex is common among middle class people, it was originally only practiced by African Americans  African Americans tend to begin sexual intercourse earlier than Caucasians  Asian Americans are generally the least permissive  Very permissive culture  Parents hesitate about the sex talk  Historical Perspectives o Americans are in a sexual revolution o We fall somewhere in the middle of the continuum o Judaism  Life for the biblical Jews was harsh and they considered it a great advantage to have many children  Primary purpose for sex was procreation  Sex outside of marriage was bad  A Jewish woman caught having sex outside of marriage was stoned to death  Had to ejaculate in the women’s vagina or else it was considered “spilling of seed” o The Greeks and Romans  Strong emphasis on marriage and the family  Allowed sexual freedom outside of marriage  Sexual relations between male teachers and young boys were encouraged  Later in the Greek era, there was a strong emphasis on spiritual development and denial of sexual pleasures  Dualism: the belief that body and soul are separate and antagonistic  Plato believed immorality could be achieved by resisting sex o Christianity  Christians separated physical love from spiritual love  Saint Paul blamed Eve for the expulsion from the Garden of Eden and preached that a celibate lifestyle was the way to heaven  Saint Augustine- had a promiscuous lifestyle at first. He then converted to Christianity and solidified the Church’s antisexual attitude

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All sex was sinful and thus all children were born from the sin of their parents Sex inside marriage was only for procreation

o Victorianism  Era of public prudery and purity  All pleasurable aspects of sex were denied  Sex was a “wife’s duty”  Women were sexual temptress  Women’s dresses covered necks, backs, ankles  Masturbation could lead to blindness and other physical disorders  Loss of semen was detrimental to health • Had their boys wear anti-masturbation devices  Touching a menstruating women could spoil food  It was thought to have sex during menstruating was the best time to get pregnant  Circumcision was first done in this era  Kellog was an anti-masturbation food  1950s- first time could say the word “pregnant” on TV o The Sexual Revolution  Lack of leisure time limited opportunities for sex  The industrial revolution also changed this  Invention of cars allowed for young people to get away  Women’s right movement allowed women to take an active role in sexual matters  Introduction of penicillin- people worried less about STDs  Birth control  Began in the 1960s  1980s- emergence of HIV, however when most people diagnosed with it were gay, sex did not decline  by the mid 1990s people became more aware that HIV could be spread through heterosexual intercourse and sex began to decline  What Influences Our Attitudes About Sex Today? o Socialization: the process of internalizing society’s beliefs; the manner in which a society shapes individual behaviors and expectations of behaviors o Socializing agent: the social influences (parents, peers, the media) o Teens who identify themselves with religion have conservative views of sex o Sex is in the media:  Magazines and tabloids (Play boy, Cosmo)  Music (sexual lyrics)  Radio (Howard Stern)  Movies (R-rated movies)  TV-most powerful story teller  Advertisements

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The internet (porn)

o Sexual Socialization: Cause and Effect  TV’s effects on viewers: • Overestimation of the prevalence of certain sexual activities in the general public • Disinhibition-more liberal attitude about sex • Increased interest in sexual issues • Learning about sexual topics  Sex as a Science o Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)  Developed psychoanalysis as a means for evaluating and treating unconscious sexual motivations  Incorrect belief that the loss of semen was detrimental to a man’s health as was loss of blood o Havelock Ellis (1859-1939)  Grew up with many wet dreams and was told he was going to be blind, insanity and eventually die  When his health did not deteriorate, he realized that loss of semen did not lead to death  Argued that women were not asexual and that men’s and women’s orgasms were very similar  Devoted much of his life to sexual research  Believed that behaviors of masturbation and homosexuality are normal  Published six volumes o Alfred C. Kinsey (1894-1956)  Conducted several questionnaires and interviews  Found that most people masturbated, engaged in oral sex, women could have multiple orgasms and that many people had same sex experiences o Masters and Johnson  Started to observe sexual behavior in people under laboratory conditions  312 men and 382 women  Developed the first methods for treating sexual problems  Opened a sexual therapy clinic o Edward O. Laumann and the National Health and Social Life Surveys  NC senator introduced an amendment to eliminate sexual research funding  However, laumann eventually received funding and they did this research in hopes of prevents HIV/AIDS o The 2010 National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior  Comprehensive study of people aged 14-94  Must of the data was collected via internet

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Most important findings were that Americans engage in a wide range of sexual behaviors

 Scientific Methodology o Surveys and Samples  Survey: a study of people’s attitudes, opinions or behaviors. Response are usually obtains face to face or on a paper and pencil questionnaire  Population: the complete set of observations which a research wishes to draw conscious  Sample: a subset of population of subjects  Random sample: a sample in which observations are drawn so that all other possible samples of the same size have an equal change of being selected  Stratified random sample: a sample in which sub groups are randomly selected in the same proportion, as they exist in the population. Thus the sample is representative of the target population  Volunteer bias: a bias in research results that is caused by differences between people who agree to participate and others who refuse  Correlation: a mathematical measure of the degree of relationship between two variables  Direct observation: observing and recording the activity of subjects as they conduct their activities  Case Study: an in-depth study of an individual  Observer bias: the prejudicing of observations and conclusions by the observers own belief system  Experimental method: a study in which and investigator attempt to establish cause and effect relationship by manipulating a variable of interest while keeps all other factors the same  Sexuality Education o The United States, sex education in schools originated as part of a social hygiene movement to prevent STDS o By 1940, the focus of sex education in the US was changing from prophylactics to personal relationships and long-term adjustment  Still focused on sex within marriage o Today sexual education has become a battleground among groups with different moral and political ideologies

 Syllabus Attendance and Grading Policy o Attendance

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You can earn bonus points for good class attendance, but you can also lose points for poor attendance (see attendance points below). Excused absences will be made only for religious holidays, military duty, jury duty, official Clemson duties, and long-term medical problems registered with Student Disability Services. • I am allowing everyone to miss class four times for personal (unexcused) reasons before it counts against you.

Male and Female Structures

Chapter 2: Our Sexual and Reproductive Anatomy  Genitalia: the external reproductive organs of the man or woman  External Female Anatomy o Vulva: latin for “covering”  Consists of the mons veneris, the labia majora, the labia minora, the clitoris and the vaginal and urethral openings. o Mons Veneris: a soft layer of fatty tissue overlaying the area where the pubic bones come together.  Means “mount of venus”  Considered to be very erotic after puberty  Sensitivity to touch is dependent on the density of nerve endings in a particular area of skin.  Numerous never endings- gently stimulation is pleasureable  This fatty tissue cushions the pubic region during intercourse  Becomes covered with pubic hair during puberty  Researchers believe that pubic hair is meant to be sexually attractive  Until the 1970s, it was uncommon for women to shave their pubic area. This changed as bikini bottoms and panties became smaller o Labia  Consists of two outer (labia majora) and two inner (labia minora) elongated folds of skin, which in the sexually unstimulated state, cover the vaginal and urethral openings.  Labia majora: two elongated folds of the skin extending from the mons to the perineum in women. Its outer surfaces becomes covered with pubic hair during puberty  Labia minora: two hairless elongated folds of the skin located between the labia majora in women. They meet above the clitoris to form the clitoral hood.  Perineum: refers to the hairless bit of skin between the anus and either the vaginal opening or the scrotum  The pinkish and hairless labia minora are located between and sometime protrude beyond the labia majora.  Some afrian groups (Hottentots) consider it to be highly erotic for the labia to be elongated. Girls are taught at an early age to pull on it  Clitoral hood: the part of the labia minora that covers the clitoris in women- very sensitive to touch  Bartholin’s glands: glands located at the base of the labia in women that contribute a small mount of an alkaline fluid to their inner surfaces during sexual arousal- the fluid counteracts the normal acidity of the outer vagina because sperm cannot live in an acidic environment

o Clitoris: a small, elongated erectile structure in women that develops from the same embryonic tissue as the penis. It has no know function other than to focus sexual sensations  Greek word meaning “hill” or “slope”  The body or shaft of the clitoris is located beneath the clitoral hood. 1 inch long and one-quarter diameter  Contains two parallel cylinders of spongy tissue called corpora cavernosa, which towards the rear form much larger structures called crura  The spongy tissues of the clitoris engorge with blood during sexual arousal  Surgical removal of the clitoris was sometimes performed in the United States and Europe during the victoria times in order to prevent girls from masturbating and growing up “oversexed”  Clitoridectomy is no longer legal in America, but is common in Northern African countries, middle east, Malaysia and Indonesia  This secretions of magma can accumulate beneath the clitoral hood and result in discomfort during sex o The Vaginal Opening  Vestibular area: refers to the area between the two labia minora • Latin for “entrance hall”  Lots of nerve endings-sensitive to touch  Bulbocavernosus muscle: a ring of sphincter muscles that surrounds the vaginal opening in women or the root of the penis in men • Sexually experiences woman can learn to contract these muscles during sex • Inexperienced women may involuntarily contact as a result of nervousness making penetration difficult  Hymen: the thin membrane that partially covers the vaginal opening in sexually inexperienced women. • Until shortly before birth, the hymen separated the vagina from urinary system • Has one or more openings that allows for menstrual flow • The hymen sometimes ruptures before sex (tampon, sports) o The Urethral Opening  Uretha: the passageway from the bladder to the exterior of the body o Breasts: in women, glands that provide milk for infants (mammary glands)  Considered highly erotic by most men in Western societies  Develop due to an increase of estrogen during puberty produced by ovaries  Common for one breast (left) to be larger than the other

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Each gland is connected to a nipple which is also sensitive to touch The darkened area around the nipple is called the areola and the small bumps are glands that secrete oil to keep the nipples lubricated during breast-feeding During the late stages of pregnancy, a hormone called prolactin causes the glands to produce milk. A baby’s sucking causes the pituitary gland to produce a hormone called oxytocin which results in the ejection of milk 1960s- boobs jobs began

 Internal Female Anatomy o Vagina  The shreathlike canal in a woman that extends from the vulva to the cervix and that receives the penis during sex  Serves as the birth canal  The vaginal walls have three layers • The inner layers has a soft mucosal surface similar to that of the inside of the mouth • The rising levels of puberty causes the walls to thicken and becomes more elastic and highly vascularized • During menopause, the ovaries atrophy and the walls become thin again like before puberty- also decrease in blood supply which decreases lubrication  The vagina is a self cleansing organ  A large muscle, pubococcygeus muscle, which is more richly innervated with nerves, surrounds the vagina. • It has been found that women who have vaginal sensation during intercourse have a weak pubococcygeus muscle.  Grafenberg (G) spot- small sensitive area in the front wall • Only 10% or fewer women have a G spot  One is every 4,000 to 5,000 girls is born without a vagina- it can be surgically construcuted o Uterus  The womb. The hollow, muscular organ in women where the fertilized egg normally implants  The cervix is the narrow end of the uterus  Broad part of the uterus is called the fundus  Three layers • Endormetrium- where the fertilized egg implants • Myometrium- strong middle layer of muscles which contract during labor • Perimetrium- external cover o Fallopian Tubes  Extend 4 inches laterally from both sides

Finger like projections called fimbria are at the ends and they pick up an egg after it is expelled from the ovary o Ovaries  Two functions • Produce eggs • Produce female hormones (estrogen and progensterone)  At birth, a girl will have all the immature eggs that she will ever have (300,000 to 400,000)  Each egg is surrounded by some other cells and contained within a thin capsule to form what is called primary follicle  Only 400 eggs will ever mature 

 External Male Anatomy o The Penis: Outer Appearance  Both reproductive and a urinary function  Primary organ  Circumcision: in men, the removal of all or part of the foreskin of the penis. In women, the removal of the clitoral hood o The Penis: Internal Structure  Body (visible) • Consist of three parallel cylinders of spongy tissue, two corpora cavernosa on top of a corpus spongiosum on the bottom • Corona- the raised rim at the boarder of the shaft and glans • Uretha- passageway for sperm and urine  Glans  Roots • Surrounded by bulbocavernosus and the ischiocavernosus that aid in urination and ejaculation  When a man becomes sexually aroused the arteries going to the penis dilate and the many cavities of the cavernous and spongy bodies fill with blood. Values in the veins close and the penis expands o Scrotum  Sac located beneath the penis that contains testicles  Produces sperm  Typically 93 degrees  Sparsely covered with hair, many sweat glans  Small muscle fibers that contract when it is cold to help draw the testicles closer to the body cavity for warmth  When it is hot, they relax and hang  Internal Male Anatomy o Testicles  Develop from the same embryonic tissue as the ovaries

Two functions • Produce sperms • Produce male hormones (androgens and testosterone)  Millions of new sperm start to be produced each day in several hundred seminiferous tubules  Each testicle is suspended in the scrotum by the spermatic cordhelps raise and lower the testicles in response to the environment  In right handed men, its normal for the left testicle to hang lower and vice versa o Duct System  Sperm are produced in the seminiferous tubules  They pass through a four part duct system  The seminiferous tubules converge to form the epididymis, coiled tubes that can be felt o the top and back of each testicle  Sperm take up to 6 weeks to mature  Then they go through the vas deferens  During orgasm, they are forced into the ejaculatory ducts  Two ejaculatory ducts open into the urethra, o Prostate Gland and Seminal Vesicles  Seminal vesicles: two structures in a man that contribute many substances o the seminal fluid  Prostate gland: secretes all of these substances and another substance that causes semen to temporarily coagulate after ejaculation, thus helping to prevent spillage fro the vagina • Also secretes antibiotic, possibly to prevent the male and female reproductive systems from infections o Cowper’s Gland  Two pea sized structures located beneath the prostate  Product alkaline fluid prior to orgasm  The fluid neutralizes acidity of the urethra so sperm is not destroyed 

Chapter 4: Similarities and Differences in Our Sexual Responses  Measurement of Sexual Responses o Penile strain gauge: a thin rubber tube filled with mercury that fits over the base of the penis and transmits a small electric current that can record even a slight change in the circumference of the penis o Vaginal photoplethysmograph: fits like a tampon into the vagina and has a light and photocell to record blood volume in the vaginal walls  Models of Sexual Response o Sexual Response Cycle 1. Excitement 2. Plateau 3. Orgasm 4. Resolution o Helen Kaplan 1. Desire 2. Excitement 3. Orgasm  Men’s Sexual Response Cycle o Desire: a psychological state subjectively experienced by an individual as an awareness that he or she wants or wishes to attain a sexual goal  Intrinsic motivation to pursue sex  ...