Gender, Sex and

Sexuality
Sexual orientation
m17
Gender and Sex
Describe and define both sex and gender.

 Sex - the distinction between males and females based on

biological characteristics.
 Gender - the physiological experience of being male or

female.
 To put it another way:

"Male" and "female" are sex categories, while "masculine"

and "feminine" are gender categories.
Compare ands contrast gender
identity and gender roles.
 Gender identity is one’s view of oneself as male or female.
 Develop early in infancy. The newborn is identified as either
female and male based on their genitals.
 The children will quickly learn the gender behaviors that are
expected of them through interaction with family members, peers
and teachers.

 Gender role is the typical behaviors consistent with being male

or female within a culture.
 Feminine behaviors are expected of females, and masculine
behaviors are expected of males.
 Androgynous – having both typically female and male
psychologically characteristics.
 Differences between male and
female
TYPES MALE FEMALE
Physical - Men have greater -Women can be
characterist
upper pregnant,
ic
body strength give birth and
-Men can throw object breastfeed
farther, on average and infants.
with greater accuracy.
Cognitive -On the average, men -On the average,
ability and
score women
achievemen
higher on test of score higher on test
t
spatial and of
mechanical reasoning, language skills,
TYPES MALE FEMALE
Emotion and -More likely to be -More likely to be
social competitive, dominant nurturing,
behavior and assertive friendly, helpful, open,
-More likely to engage in trusting, cooperative,
physical aggression and and
risk able to conceal their
behavior and are more emotions
likely -More likely to be
to commit most kinds anxious,
of depressed, and have low
crimes self-esteem.
Mating and -Prefer a younger mate, -Prefer an older mate, has
sexual physically attractive and high earning potential
behavior with and
TYPES MALE FEMALE
Differences -Have larger cerebral -Have larger corpus
in the brain cortex than women callosum, possibly
due indicating greater
to a greater volume of integration of the
white matter with no two
sex hemisphere. This is
difference in the consistent with the
amount superior language
of ‘little gray cells’ skills of
-The right cerebral women.
hemisphere is larger -Have larger
by Hippocampus.
adulthood as it is It plays a key role in
The Social-Role Theory of Gender Differences

 The theory that the opportunities and

restrictions inherent in women’s and men’s
different social create psychological gender
differences.
◦ Gender roles are maintained by social pressure.
◦ As gender roles change in contemporary societies,
the psychological differences between women and
men also will change.
ii.Sexual motivation
a)Define and describe briefly
each sexual response cycle
 Sexual Response Cycle:
1. Excitement Phase:
-1st stage of the sexual response cycle
-erection of penis
-lubrication of vagina
2. Plateau Phase:
-high levels of sexual arousal & pleasure that are
maintained for variable periods of time.
- seconds to minutes but not to its max.
3. Orgasmic Phase:
The reflexive phase of the sexual response cycle
accompanied by peak levels of arousal & pleasure & usually
by ejaculation in males.
4. Resolution Phase:
Stage after orgasm when arousal & pleasure diminishes.
Male: Refractory period (unresponsive to further stimulation)
Female: No refractory period
b)Briefly describe similarity and differences of sexual motivation to other primary motives

Similarity of sexual motivation

Sexual Motivation Similarities Other 1˚Motives
1. Activates sexual Hypothalamic control Feeding & drinking
behavior systems
2. Inhibits sexual
behavior
3. Menstrual cycle
-Seductive Role of external Hunger-sights &
partner/romantic stimuli aromas
fantasies
-Coolidge effect
-variant partners:
•reach orgasm faster
•Takes time to lose
interest
Similarity of sexual motivation

Eg: Mangaian culture Role of learning Eg: Learn how, when &
Young males learn what to eat
intercourse frm older
women
Eg: Anxiety=increase Role of emotions Eg: Depressed=eat
sexual motivation (keep balance of both more
sympathetic &
parasympathetic N.S.)
Differences of sexual motivation

Sexual Motivation Differences Other 1˚ Motives

For survival of species Survival Value For survival of
individual
Can be aroused at all Role of deprivation Eg: Just eaten=not so
times (except hungry,
refractory period) Starvation= hungry
Uses stored energy Decrease in energy Stores body energy
Sexual Orientation
 A pattern of emotional,
romantic, and/or sexual
attractions to men,
women, both genders, neither
gender, or another gender.
 Usually discussed in terms of
3 categories : heterosexual,
homosexual and bisexual
 Describes the pattern of
sexual attraction, behavior
and identity
Heterosexuality
 An enduring
pattern of or
disposition to
experience sexual,
affectional, physical
or romantic
attractions primarily
to "persons of the
opposite sex“
Homosexuality
 An enduring
pattern of or
disposition to
experience sexual,
affectional, or
romantic attractions
primarily to" people
of the same sex
Stigmatization
 An attribute, behavior, or reputation which is
socially discrediting in a particular way
 It causes an individual to be mentally

classified by others in an undesirable,

rejected stereotype rather than in an
accepted, normal one.
 In this context : Prejudice against Lesbians,

Gay Men and Bisexuals 

Stigmatization against Homosexuals
 Research has shown that
prejudice against gay
people and
homosexuality can be
influenced by the person:
◦ Having strong religious
beliefs that disapprove of
sex and/or homosexuality
◦ Having little/no social
contact with lesbian and
gay people
◦ Reporting no homosexual
experiences or feelings
Sexual orientation

 Description and definition of sexual

orientation, heterosexuality and
homosexuality
 Description of Stigmatization, Stress and
Sexual Orientation
 Description of Sexual Orientation
Description and definition of sexual orientation,
heterosexuality and homosexuality
 Sexual orientation – the tendency to prefer romantic
and
sexual partners of the same or different sex.

 Heterosexuality – romantically and sexually attracted

to those of the different sex.

 Homosexuality – romantically and sexually attracted

to those of the same sex.
 Gay ( homosexual men)
 Lesbian (homosexual women)
 Bisexuality (attracted to both members of
same sex and members of the other sex)
Description of Stigmatization, Stress
and Sexual Orientation
 Gays and lesbians are harshly stigmatized
around the world.
 Faces threat of prejudice and ridicule from
peers.
 Do not feel comfortable seeking social
support from family and friends because it
would involve admission of their social
orientation.
 Greater risk of AIDS.
 Greater risk for depression, suicide and
substance abuse.
Description of Sexual Orientation
 Psychologist John Money has hypothesized
that social learning does play a role in the
development of homosexuality, but in
combination to biological factors that
predispose some person to homosexuality.
 Studies that provide evidence that is
consistent with (but does not prove ) the
hypothesis.
◦ Twin studies
◦ Atypical level of sex hormones during prenatal
development.
◦ Gay male have more that one older male sibling-
because later born male are exposed to lower level
of prenatal testosterone.
◦ Homosexual and heterosexual has different same
area of the hypothalamus and other brain
structures.