Chapter 5: Sexual Identity, Behavior, and Relationships Part I: Multiple Choice Questions: Learning Objective 5.1: Is sexuality purely biological? 1. Chris and Kayla, in the opening vignette: A. have been married for 25 years. B. discuss the problems and difficulties their teenage daughter faced when pregnant. C. discuss their decision to have an abortion. D. are an elderly couple who remain sexually active. E. are young adults discussing casual sex and hookups. Answer: E Rationale: The theme of the vignette is casual sex and hookups among young adults. 2. Your membership in certain groups, such as your sex, race, or social class, shapes who you are, the values you hold, and the opportunities and constraints you experience, including with regard to sexuality. This implies that: A. sex is biological. B. sex is social. C. the intersex nature of sex. D. the age at menarche is increasing. E. sex is homophobic. Answer: B Rationale: Sex is both biological and social–shaped by social factors. 3. Among the Mangaia people of Polynesia, both girls and boys are expected to have a high level of sexual desire in early adolescence. In contrast to the Mangaia, the Dani of New Guinea show little interest in sex beyond what is needed for reproduction. This illustrates: A. that sex is social. B. the intersex nature of sex. C. that the age at menarche is increasing. D. that sex is homophobic. E. that sex is biological. Answer: A Rationale: Sex is both biological and social –shaped by social factors, and can be practiced in different ways. Learning Objective 5.2: How do macro-level factors influence sexuality? 4. The images of early American sexuality are of prim and proper Puritans and sexually repressed Victorians. Who perpetuated these views? A. individual husbands B. individual wives C. religious and medical authorities D. peer groups E. personal desires Answer: C Rationale: Social institutions perpetuated these views. 5. What were the views towards masturbation in early America? A. unheard of for women and men B. thought to be natural for men C. accepted for both women and men D. accepted as natural for women among the upper class E. unheard of for women, thought to be dangerous and unhealthy for men Answer: E Rationale: Each time a man ejaculated; he was thought to be risking his physical health. 6. Several factors shaped sexuality in the early 20th century. Which is NOT one of these factors? A. urbanization B. industrialization C. new technologies D. changing sex ratio E. expansion of education Answer: D Rationale: Only D, the changing sex ratio, is not a factor shaping sexuality in the early 20th century. Learning Objective 5.3: What is the difference between “sex” and “gender”? 7. Sex refers to ______________ and gender refers to ______________ . A. role in reproduction; sexual orientation B. whether a person is sexually active; role in reproduction C. culturally and socially constructed differences between the meanings, beliefs, and practices associated with femininity and masculinity; role in reproduction D. sexual orientation; age of menarche E. role in reproduction; culturally and socially constructed differences between the meanings, beliefs, and practices associated with femininity and masculinity Answer: E Rationale: All statements are false except E. Sex refers to the role in reproduction and gender refers to culturally and socially constructed differences between the meanings, beliefs, and practices associated with femininity and masculinity. Learning Objective 5.4: Do sex and gender go together? 8. Marty was born with sexual anatomy that does not fit the typical definitions of what is considered female or male. He has some features of both. This term is called: A. dual-sex. B. intersexed. C. same-sex. D. menarche. E. transsexual. Answer: B Rationale: Intersexed refers to sexual anatomy that does not fit the typical definitions of what is considered female or male. 9. Individuals who manifest characteristics, behaviours, or self-expressions associated typically with the other gender are called: A. dual-sex. B. intersexed. C. transgender. D. same-sex. E. bisexual. Answer: C Rationale: Transgender individuals manifest characteristics, behaviours, or self-expressions associated typically with the other gender. 10. Current estimates of the prevalence of transsexualism are about 1 in ______________ for biological males and 1 in ______________ for biological females. A. 10,000; 30,000 B. 4,000; 100,000 C. 30,000; 20,000 D. 50,000; 20,000 E. 1 million; 500,000 Answer: A Rationale: Estimates are that 1 in 10,000 males and 1 in 30,000 females are transsexuals. Learning Objective 5.5: What do we mean by “sexual orientation”? 11. Kate’s ______________ is female, her ______________ is feminine, and her ______________ is homosexual. A. sex; sexual orientation; intersex B. gender; sex; sexual orientation C. sex; gender; intersex D. sex; gender; sexual orientation E. gender; gendered expectation; sexual orientation. Answer: D Rationale: Sex refers to the role in reproduction. Gender refers to culturally and socially constructed differences between the meanings, beliefs, and practices associated with femininity and masculinity. Sexual orientation refers to an enduring pattern of romantic, emotional, and sexual partners we choose. 12. Dwayne is married to Jolene; however, he was curious about sex with a man and decided to try it once. Which of the following best describes Dwayne? A. He has a homosexual identity. B. He has a heterosexual identity. C. He has a bisexual identity. D. He has a transgender identity. E. He doesn’t have an identity. Answer: B Rationale: Identity is a self-concept and is more enduring than an experience. 13. Which of the following is TRUE regarding sexual orientation? A. Sexual orientation is likely caused by a complex set of biological (genetics and hormones) and social factors. B. About 10-15 percent of the population identify themselves as gay or lesbian in surveys. C. Women are far more likely than men to identify as homosexual. D. About two-thirds of Americans believe that homosexuality is morally unacceptable. E. Homophobia refers to a homosexual identity. Answer: A Rationale: Only A is correct: the causes of sexual orientation are not completely clear, but scientists believe that it is likely caused by a complex set of biological and social factors. Learning Objective 5.6: What are sexual scripts, and where do we learn them? 14. The norms or rules regarding sexual behavior are called: A. normative standards. B. male female expectations (MFE). C. personal and social scripts (PSS). D. dyad expectations. E. sexual scripts. Answer: E Rationale: Only E is correct; all other terms are made up. 15. Our culture prohibits sex with animals, children, and, unless you live in a few selected counties in Nevada, someone to whom you have paid money. It does not prohibit sex among unmarried people or those of different religious faiths, races, or ethnic backgrounds. These norms or rules are called: A. male female expectations (MFE). B. personal and social scripts (PSS). C. dyad expectations. D. sexual scripts. E. normative standards. Answer: D Rationale: Only D is correct; all other terms are made up. 16. We learn our sexual scripts from several sources. Which is NOT one of these sources? A. the culture in which we live B. peers C. media D. communication with a partner E. menarche Answer: E Rationale: Menarche refers to a young woman’s first menstrual period. Learning Objective 5.7: Are sexual scripts different for men and women? 17. Men are granted far more leeway in sexual behavior than are women, and this is referred to as: A. the double standard. B. open standards. C. double jeopardy. D. male female expectations (MFE). E. dyad expectations. Answer: A Rationale: Only A is correct; all other terms are made up. 18. Which of the following is a component of the male script? A. Women should make themselves sexually attractive to men to get their attention, but they should not make themselves too attractive. B. Men should know how to please a woman. C. A man’s looks are relatively unimportant, but his status is enhanced if he is with a beautiful woman. D. Good girls do not plan in advance to have sex or initiate it. E. Women should not know too much about sex or be too experienced. Answer: C Rationale: Only C is a component of the male script; the others are components of the female script. 19. Which is TRUE regarding the double standard? A. It has almost been eliminated over the past decade, especially among adolescents. B. Both men and women uphold the double standard. C. The double standard causes confusion over male sexuality. D. The example regarding Viagra and birth control pills in Japan show the decline of the double standard. E. Men have more sexual partners, but it is women who are more likely to report that they enjoy sex a great deal. Answer: B Rationale: Only B is true, that men and women both uphold the double standard. The other answers are false. Learning Objective 5.8: What are some important studies that have been done on human sexuality? 20. Estelle works at the Kinsey Institute and researches human sexuality. Her title is probably: A. psychosexual theorist. B. sexologist. C. moroligist. D. biologist. E. datumist. Answer: B Rationale: A sexologist is a person who researches human sexuality. 21. ______________ believed we are all born with biologically-based sex drives. These drives must be channelled through socially approved outlets, he believed; otherwise, the individual will experience conflict within himself or herself, with the family, or with society at large. A. Masters and Johnson B. Alfred Kinsey C. Sigmund Freud D. The National Opinion Research Centre E. John Lee Answer: C Rationale: This is the major premise of Freud’s work. 22. ______________ is/are known for the understanding of the sexual response cycle—(1) desire; (2) excitement; (3) orgasm; and (4) resolution—and found that men and women experience these states in a similar fashion. This work enlightened us about the source of women’s pleasure—the clitoris—and debunked previous myths that some women have orgasms originating in their vaginas. A. Masters and Johnson B. Alfred Kinsey C. Sigmund Freud D. The National Opinion Research Centre E. John Lee Answer: A Rationale: This is one of the major findings of Masters and Johnson’s work. Learning Objective 5.9: When do we become sexual? 23. When do we become sexual beings? A. infancy B. young childhood (ages 5 to 7) C. preteen (ages 11-12) D. puberty E. adulthood Answer: A Rationale: We become sexual very early in our lives—even infants have been observed to stimulate themselves. Learning Objective 5.10: How big a social problem is teenage pregnancy? 24. A large study conducted by the CDC with 14,000 students in grades 9-12 shows that ______________ percent of girls and ______________ percent of boys have had sexual intercourse. A. 25; 30 B. 21; 20 C. 50; 25 D. 46; 50 E. 75; 86 Answer: D Rationale: In grades 9-12, 46 percent of girls and 50 percent of boys have had sexual intercourse. 25. Which of the following statements does NOT describe adolescents’ sexual experience? A. Nearly half of young teens do not believe oral sex is “as big a deal” as intercourse and they do not see it as spoiling virginity. B. By the end of high school, about two-thirds of young men and women have had intercourse. C. About 750,000 U.S. women under age 20 become pregnant each year, resulting in about 435,000 births. D. Teenage mothers are more likely to die in childbirth than are older mothers, and their infants are more likely to be of low birth weight and die within the first month of life. E. Teenage birthrates have been slowly rising since 1990. Answer: E Rationale: All answers are true except for E. Teenage birthrates have declined sharply since 1990, although they are now in a state of flux. 26. Teenage births: A. occur to nearly 100,000 women a year. B. have most sharply declined among Blacks between 1991 and 2008. C. have risen for all groups expect for Whites between 1991 and 2008. D. can be quite dangerous for the baby, although maternal outcomes are not significantly different from those of older women. E. have increased since 1991 because of the decline in stigma associated with births outside of marriage and the highly publicized pregnancies of several celebrity teens. Answer: B Rationale: Teenage births have declined since 1991, especially among Blacks. Learning Objective 5.11: How prevalent is nonmarital sex among young adults? 27. With respect to premarital sex: A. attitudes have become more disapproving since 2000. B. three-quarters of Americans believe that it is only “sometimes or not at all wrong.” C. by age 25, 88 percent of women and 89 percent of men have engaged in premarital sex. D. older people are more likely than younger people to approve of premarital sex. E. casual sex is becoming less common. Answer: C Rationale: By age 25, most women and men have engaged in premarital sex. Other answers are false. 28. Michael often engages in casual sexual interactions with women without any expectations of commitment. These are called: A. sexual scripts. B. dating. C. wheel theory. D. hooking up. E. intersex. Answer: D Rationale: One type of casual sexual experience has received widespread attention - hooking up, or the casual sexual interactions among people without any expectations of commitment. 29. Research on the sexual relationships of gays and lesbians reveals: A. both gays and lesbians are nonmonogamies’ by choice because they value love and commitment less than do heterosexual couples. B. they try to recruit others to their sexual orientation. C. they are more different from than similar to heterosexual relationships. D. lesbians may engage in sex less frequently than gay men or heterosexual women, although this may be a function of the way that “sex” is defined. E. most lesbians enjoy sex less than do heterosexual women. Answer: D Rationale: Sex is often defined as sexual intercourse, which may underestimate the frequency with which lesbians are sexual. Learning Objective 5.12: What are some common sexual trends in marriage? 30. With respect to sex in marriage: A. a review of television primetime shows in the early 1990s revealed that less than one in ten sex scenes shown were between married couples. B. most married people are unhappy with their sex lives. C. about 12 percent of the population believes that extramarital sex is not wrong at all. D. married couples have sex about three times per month on average. E. among men, increased relationship satisfaction leads to increased sexual satisfaction, but among women, increased sexual satisfaction leads to increased relationship satisfaction. Answer: A Rationale: All answers are false except A; few television shows portray sex between married couples. 31. Approximately what percent of men and women have had extramarital sex sometime during their marriage? A. 8 percent of men; 3 percent of women B. 5 percent of men; 6 percent of women C. 15 percent of men; 11 percent of women D. 22 percent of men; 15 percent of women E. 15 percent of men; 20 percent of women Answer: D Rationale: Only D provides the correct statistics; the other answers are incorrect. Learning Objective 5.13: Do people remain sexual throughout their lives? 32. Approximately what percentage of men age 65 to 74 is still sexually active? A. about 10 percent B. about a quarter C. about a third D. about half E. about two-thirds Answer: E Rationale: Only E provides the correct statistic; the other answers are incorrect. Learning Objective 5.14: What is the most common STI? 33. Which is TRUE regarding sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? A. Approximately 5 million new cases are reported each year. B. STIs are personal problems rather than social problems. C. HPV is estimated to be the most common STI even though chlamydia is the most commonly reported STI. D. STI rates tend to be highest among Whites and Hispanics and lower among Blacks and Asian Americans. E. Gonorrhoea receives more media attention than any other STI because it is so deadly and because of the political implications surrounding its discovery and treatment. Answer: C Rationale: Only C is true; the other answer categories are false. HPV is the most common STI although chlamydia is the most commonly reported. 34. Which is the most common STI? A. gonorrhoea B. syphilis C. pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) D. HIV/AIDS E. HPV Answer: E Rationale: Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common STI. Learning Objective 5.15: Hasn’t the issue of HIV and AIDS been resolved by now? 35. HIV/AIDS: A. was first recognized in the late 1960s. B. at first seemed to be confined to few groups: gay men, people with haemophilia, and Haitians. C. was caused by a man having sexual intercourse with a monkey. D. infects about 12,000 new people in the U.S. every year. E. now can be cured with specific drug injections. Answer: B Rationale: Only B is true; the others are false; at first HIV/AIDS seemed to be confined to few groups: gay men, people with haemophilia, and Haitians. Part II: True – False Questions 1. Kayla and Chris in the opening vignette are an elderly couple who are still sexually active. Answer: False 2. Sexual attitudes can be quite different across cultures, although sexual behaviours are the same. Answer: False 3. The 20th century witnessed a number of new social trends that began to shape sexual behavior, including industrialization, urbanization, increased education, and new technologies. Answer: True 4. Gender is defined as our biological differences and our role in reproduction. Answer: False 5. Those born with genitalia that do not clearly identify them as unambiguously male or female are intersexed. Answer: True 6. William feels more comfortable expressing feminine traits than masculine ones, including dressing as a woman when he can. William may be transgender. Answer: True 7. Transsexuals are individuals who undergo sex reassignment surgery and hormone treatments. Answer: True 8. Jane is attracted romantically and sexually to other women. We refer to this as a menarche orientation. Answer: False 9. Kent is equally attracted romantically and sexually to men and women. We refer to this as a homosexual orientation. Answer: False 10. About 20 percent of men and women have a homosexual identity. Answer: False 11. Studies have found that identical twins, who share genetic material, are more likely to be gay or lesbian than other siblings. Answer: True 12. The norms or rules regarding sexual behavior are called menarche. Answer: False 13. We learn our sexual scripts from our culture, interpersonal communication between us and our partner, and our personal views of sex. Answer: True 14. One consequence of the double standard is that very little is known about the sources of male sexual pleasure. Answer: False 15. Somewhere between half to three-quarters of women do not have orgasms from sexual intercourse. Answer: True 16. A sexologist is someone who studies human sexuality. Answer: True 17. William Masters and Virginia Johnson in the 1960s used an observational research design to address several features of sexuality, including the physiology of human sexual response; a greater understanding of women’s sexuality; and the treatment of sexual dysfunction. Answer: True 18. If we want to understand how many sexual partners people have had on average, it’s best to use the mean, which shows that women have about five partners and men have about nine. Answer: False 19. We become sexual around the age of 12 or 13. Answer: False 20. A large study conducted by the CDC with 14,000 students in grades 9-12 shows that about half of girls and boys have had sexual intercourse, but by the end of high school the number jumps to about two-thirds. Answer: True 21. About 300,000 U.S. women under age 20 become pregnant each year, resulting in about 150,000 births. Answer: False 22. The teenage birthrate has been steadily rising since 1980. Answer: False 23. The majority of people in all age groups no longer see premarital sex as wrong Answer: False 24. Men and women are equally likely to find hooking up pleasurable. Answer: False 25. When comparing sexual relationships between heterosexual and same-sex couples, similarities far outweigh the differences. Answer: True 26. Most married people are sexually active, and most report being quite satisfied with the sexual aspects of their relationship. Answer: True 27. Sex, while married, with someone other than your spouse is extramarital sex. Answer: True 28. Among people aged 75 to 85, about 10 percent remain sexually active. Answer: False 29. Nearly 20 million people become infected with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) each year. Answer: True 30. No new cases of HIV/AIDS were reported last year in the United States, yet there were about 5,500 deaths from those who were already infected. Answer: False Part III: Short Answer/Fill in the Blank Questions: 1. Sex is both biological and ______________ . Answer: social 2. List three factors that influenced emerging sexual norms in the early 20th century Answer: Urbanization, industrialization, expanded education, new technologies, and women working outside the home influenced emerging sexual norms. 3. ______________ refers to one’s role in reproduction, whereas ______________ refers to the culturally and socially constructed differences between the meanings, beliefs, and practices associated with femininity and masculinity. Answer: Sex, gender 4. Some people are born intersexed, meaning ______________ . Answer: a person has a reproductive or sexual anatomy that does not fit the typical definitions of what is considered female or male. 5. Those individuals who manifest characteristics, behaviours, or self-expressions associated typically with the other gender are called: Answer: transgender 6. Herbie had a sex change operation. He was born a woman but had surgery and took hormones so as to become a woman. Herbie is an example of a ______________ . Answer: transsexual 7. What most likely determines sexual orientation? Answer: biology and social environment 8. Matthew Shepard, a young gay man in Wyoming who was tied to a fence, pistol- whipped, and left to die in 1998, epitomizes ______________ . Answer: homophobia or anti-gay prejudice 9. ______________ govern the who, what, where, when, and why we have sex. Answer: Sexual scripts 10. Where do we learn our sexual scripts? Answer: The culture in which we live, including our parents, our friends, the mass media, and the dominant religion practiced; the interpersonal communication between us and our partner; our personal views of sex, based on feelings, desires, and fantasies. 11. List 4 components of the female sexual script. Answer: (1) Women should make themselves sexually attractive to men to get their attention, but they should not make themselves too attractive. (2) Women’s genitals are mysterious. (3) Women should not know too much about sex or be too experienced. (4) Good girls do not plan in advance to have sex or initiate it. (5) Women should not talk about sex. (6) Men should know how to please a woman. (7) Sexual intercourse is supposed to lead to orgasm and other stimulation should be unnecessary. 12. What was Kinsey’s greatest contribution to the study of sex? Answer: He moved the discussion of sexual orientation away from a simple dichotomy and instead developed a 7-point classification scheme, ranging from 0 (entirely heterosexual) to 6 (entirely homosexual). His research showed that a surprising number of people are not really 0’s or 6’s—meaning entirely heterosexual or entirely homosexual, but instead are somewhat more towards the middle. 13. When do we first become sexual beings? Answer: In infancy 14. Briefly describe the trends in teen births between 1991 and 2008, noting racial and ethnic differences. Answer: The trend in teen births has declined significantly among all racial and ethnic groups, although the rate has fluctuated over the past few years. The decline was largest among Black teens. 15. Approximately how many teens become pregnant and how many give birth over a year? Answer: About 750,000 U.S. women under age 20 become pregnant each year, resulting in about 435,000 births. 16. Casual sexual interactions among people without any expectations of commitment are called: Answer: hook ups 17. Which number is higher, the percentage of adults who believe extramarital sex is not wrong at all, or the percentage of adults who have engaged in extramarital sex? Provide the numbers for evidence. Answer: The percentage of adults who engaged in extramarital sex is larger (15 percent of married women and 22 percent of married men, as compared to only 2 percent who say it is not wrong at all.) 18. At what age do people generally give up sex? Answer: never 19. List four sexually transmitted infections. Answer: (1) chlamydia; (2) genital human papillomavirus (HPV); (3) herpes; (4) trichomoniasis; (5) gonorrhoea; (6) syphilis; (7) pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and (8) HIV/AIDS. 20. What is the most common way that men and women contact HIV/AIDS? Answer: Men are most likely to get HIV/AIDS through male-to-male sexual contact, whereas females are most likely to contract the disease through heterosexual contact. Part IV: Essay Questions: 1. How do macro-level factors influence sexuality? Answer: Macro-level factors refer to broad social, cultural, economic, and political influences that shape societal attitudes, norms, and policies. These factors play a significant role in influencing individual and collective understandings and expressions of sexuality in the following ways: 1. Cultural Norms and Values: Different cultures have varying norms and values regarding sexuality, which impact attitudes towards sexual behaviours, identities, and relationships. For example, some cultures may emphasize abstinence before marriage, while others may be more accepting of diverse sexual orientations. 2. Legal and Political Context: Laws and policies governing sexuality, such as marriage equality, age of consent, and reproductive rights, influence individuals' rights and freedoms related to sexual expression and identity. Political climates can either support or hinder sexual rights movements. 3. Religious Beliefs: Religious teachings and doctrines often dictate moral guidelines and expectations regarding sexuality. These beliefs can shape societal attitudes towards sexual practices, contraception, abortion, and gender roles. 4. Media and Technology: Mass media, including television, films, and the internet, contribute to the portrayal and dissemination of sexual norms, behaviours, and identities. Media representations can influence societal perceptions of what is considered normal or acceptable in terms of sexuality. 5. Education and Healthcare Systems: Educational curricula and healthcare policies impact individuals' access to information and services related to sexual health, reproduction, and consent. Comprehensive sex education programs can promote healthy sexual behaviours and attitudes. 6. Economic Factors: Socioeconomic status affects access to resources, healthcare, and opportunities that influence sexual health outcomes and choices. Economic disparities can impact access to contraception, HIV prevention, and reproductive health services. Macro-level factors interact with individual experiences and micro-level influences (such as personal beliefs and relationships) to shape diverse expressions and experiences of sexuality within societies. 2. What is the difference between sex, gender, and sexual orientation? Explain the various ways that these concepts can go together. Answer: Sex: Refers to the biological and physiological characteristics that define males and females. These include chromosomes, hormones, and reproductive anatomy assigned at birth (e.g., male, female, intersex). Gender: Refers to the roles, behaviours, activities, expectations, and identities that a society considers appropriate for men and women. Gender is influenced by cultural and social norms and can encompass a spectrum beyond binary categories of male and female (e.g., genderqueer, non-binary). Sexual Orientation: Refers to an individual's enduring emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction to others based on their gender identity in relation to their own. Common sexual orientations include heterosexual (attraction to opposite genders), homosexual (attraction to same genders), bisexual (attraction to both genders), pansexual (attraction regardless of gender), and asexual (lack of sexual attraction). Ways These Concepts Can Go Together: 1. Congruence: For many individuals, their sex assigned at birth aligns with their gender identity and sexual orientation. For example, a person assigned female at birth identifies as a woman (gender identity) and is attracted to men (heterosexual orientation). 2. Non-congruence: Some individuals may experience discordance between their sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation. For instance, a transgender man (assigned female at birth but identifies as male) may be attracted to other men (gay orientation). 3. Diversity: Gender identity and sexual orientation exist on spectrums, allowing for diverse combinations and expressions. For example, a genderqueer person (identifying outside the binary) may have a pansexual orientation (attracted to all genders). Understanding these distinctions and intersections is crucial for promoting inclusivity, respecting diversity, and addressing the unique needs and challenges faced by individuals across various sexual and gender identities. 3. Describe the research that points to the cause of sexual orientation. Answer: Research into the causes of sexual orientation is complex and multifaceted, involving biological, psychological, and social factors. While no single factor definitively determines sexual orientation, several lines of research provide insights into its development: 1. Biological Factors: • Genetics: Studies suggest that genetic factors may play a role in determining sexual orientation. Research on twins indicates a higher concordance rate for homosexuality among identical twins compared to fraternal twins. • Prenatal Hormones: Exposure to different levels of hormones during prenatal development (e.g., androgens) may influence sexual orientation. Variations in hormone levels in utero have been linked to differences in sexual orientation in some studies. 2. Brain Structure and Function: • Hypothalamus Differences: Some research suggests that differences in hypothalamic structure and function, particularly in regions associated with sexual behavior and attraction, may contribute to variations in sexual orientation. • Neurological Studies: Brain imaging studies have shown differences in brain activation patterns in response to sexual stimuli between heterosexual and homosexual individuals, indicating potential neurological correlates of sexual orientation. 3. Psychosocial and Environmental Influences: • Family Dynamics: Early experiences within the family environment and parental relationships may influence sexual orientation development, although research findings are mixed. • Socialization: Cultural and societal factors, including peer interactions, media representations, and social norms, play a role in shaping attitudes towards sexuality and may influence the expression of sexual orientation. 4. Complex Interaction: Sexual orientation likely results from a complex interplay of genetic, hormonal, neurological, and environmental factors. The interaction between these influences varies among individuals and may contribute to the diversity of sexual orientations observed across populations. Research continues to advance our understanding of sexual orientation, emphasizing the importance of considering multiple factors in exploring its origins and development. The diversity of sexual orientations underscores the need for inclusive and respectful approaches to understanding human sexuality. 4. Compare and contrast the sexual scripts for men and women. Answer: Sexual scripts refer to socially learned expectations and norms that guide sexual behavior, desires, and interactions. These scripts often differ between men and women due to societal gender roles and cultural perceptions. Here’s a comparison and contrast of sexual scripts for men and women: Comparison: 1. Desire for Pleasure: Both men and women are often depicted as seeking pleasure and satisfaction in sexual encounters. 2. Norms of Initiation: Traditional scripts suggest that men typically take the lead in initiating sexual activity, while women are expected to respond positively or resist to varying degrees. 3. Role Expectations: Both scripts emphasize certain roles during sex, such as men being assertive, dominant, and focused on their own pleasure, while women are expected to be nurturing, submissive, and focused on their partner’s pleasure. Contrast: 1. Sexual Agency: Men are often portrayed as having greater sexual agency and control over their desires and actions, while women are depicted as more passive recipients of sexual advances. 2. Emotional Connection: Women’s scripts may place more emphasis on emotional intimacy and connection as a precursor to sexual activity, whereas men’s scripts may prioritize physical arousal and gratification. 3. Stigma and Judgment: Women may face greater stigma for expressing sexual desire openly, whereas men may be praised for their sexual prowess and conquests. 4. Expectations After Sex: Women may be expected to display emotional attachment and nurturing behavior post-sex, while men may be socially encouraged to maintain emotional detachment. Impact of Sexual Scripts: These scripts can perpetuate gender stereotypes and inequalities in sexual relationships, influencing how individuals perceive their roles, behaviours, and desires. Challenging rigid sexual scripts can promote healthier and more equitable sexual relationships based on mutual consent, respect, and pleasure. 5. Explain the double standard, what evidence do you have that it still exists, and what are its consequences? Answer: Double standard refers to a set of principles or expectations applied differently to one group of people compared to another, often based on gender or other social characteristics. In the context of sexuality, the double standard typically involves different norms and judgments regarding sexual behavior and expression for men and women. Evidence of Its Existence: 1. Sexual Behavior: Women may face judgment or stigma for engaging in casual sex or having multiple partners (slut-shaming), while men may be praised or admired for similar behaviours (stud mentality). 2. Sexual Experience: Men may be expected to be sexually experienced and assertive, while women may be expected to be sexually passive or inexperienced until partnered with a man. 3. Sexual Expression: Women’s sexual desires and expressions may be policed more than men’s, with societal norms dictating how much desire and sexual assertiveness is appropriate for each gender. Consequences: 1. Gender Inequality: The double standard reinforces unequal expectations and treatment based on gender, limiting sexual autonomy and expression for women while granting more freedom to men. 2. Sexual Health and Well-being: It can contribute to shame, guilt, and anxiety about sexual behavior and desires, impacting individuals’ sexual self-esteem and mental health. 3. Relationship Dynamics: Imbalanced expectations can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts in relationships, as well as barriers to open communication about sexual needs and preferences. 4. Socialization: It perpetuates harmful stereotypes about gender roles and sexuality, shaping how young people learn about and navigate their own sexual identities and relationships. Addressing the double standard involves promoting gender equity in sexual norms and behaviours, challenging harmful stereotypes, and advocating for inclusive and respectful attitudes towards diverse sexual expressions. 6. Describe the sex research conducted by Masters and Johnson and some of their most notable findings. Answer: Sex Research by Masters and Johnson: William Masters and Virginia Johnson conducted groundbreaking research on human sexuality in the 1950s and 1960s at the Masters & Johnson Institute in St. Louis, Missouri. Their studies revolutionized understanding of sexual response and behavior through direct observation and physiological measurements. Notable Findings: 1. Human Sexual Response Cycle: Masters and Johnson identified four stages of the sexual response cycle: • Excitement: Initial arousal characterized by increased blood flow to genitals, muscle tension, and heightened sensitivity. • Plateau: Continued arousal with further increase in sexual arousal and genital responses. • Orgasm: Peak of sexual pleasure and release of accumulated sexual tension, accompanied by rhythmic muscle contractions. • Resolution: Return to pre-arousal state, marked by relaxation and refractory period (for men). 2. Sexual Anatomy and Physiology: Their research detailed physiological changes during sexual arousal, including erection, lubrication, and changes in heart rate and blood pressure. 3. Sexual Dysfunction: Masters and Johnson explored the causes and treatments for sexual dysfunctions such as erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and anorgasmia (inability to orgasm). 4. Couple Therapy: They developed sex therapy techniques to help couples address sexual problems and enhance sexual satisfaction through communication, education, and behavioral exercises. Impact and Legacy: Masters and Johnson’s research laid the foundation for modern sexology, influencing clinical practices, sex education, and public understanding of human sexuality. Their emphasis on physiological responses and therapeutic approaches to sexual dysfunction remains influential in the field of sexual health and therapy today. 7. Write an essay about teenage sexuality. Be sure to include detailed statistics about its prevalence Answer: Teenage Sexuality: Prevalence and Trends Teenage sexuality is a complex and significant aspect of adolescent development, influenced by biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors. Understanding its prevalence and impact requires examining various aspects of sexual behavior among teenagers. Prevalence: 1. Sexual Activity: According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a significant proportion of teenagers in the United States engage in sexual activity. By age 19, 42% of female adolescents and 44% of male adolescents report having had sexual intercourse. 2. Early Initiation: Many teenagers initiate sexual activity during their teenage years, with a notable number engaging in sexual intercourse by age 15. The prevalence of early sexual initiation varies by demographic factors such as race, socioeconomic status, and geographic location. 3. Contraceptive Use: Despite the prevalence of sexual activity, not all sexually active teenagers use contraception consistently. This can contribute to unintended pregnancies and risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Factors Influencing Teenage Sexuality: 1. Biological Factors: Hormonal changes during puberty influence sexual desire and behavior, contributing to increased interest in sexual activity. 2. Social and Cultural Norms: Peer influence, media portrayals of sexuality, and cultural attitudes towards sex shape teenagers’ perceptions and decisions about sexual behavior. 3. Family Dynamics: Parental communication about sex, parental monitoring, and family values regarding sex education play crucial roles in shaping teenagers’ sexual attitudes and behaviours. Impact and Concerns: 1. Health Risks: Teenagers who engage in unprotected sex are at risk of unintended pregnancies and STIs, which can have long-term health consequences. 2. Psychological Effects: Early sexual activity can impact adolescents’ emotional well-being and self-esteem, especially if they feel pressured or unprepared. 3. Educational Needs: Comprehensive sex education programs are essential in equipping teenagers with knowledge about safe sex practices, contraception, and respectful relationships. Understanding teenage sexuality involves recognizing its diversity and complexities while addressing the need for supportive environments and educational resources to promote healthy sexual decision-making among adolescents. 8. Describe the trends in teenage pregnancy and motherhood. What factors may account for these trends? Answer: Trends in Teenage Pregnancy and Motherhood Teenage pregnancy and motherhood have been significant social and public health concerns globally. Understanding the trends and factors contributing to these trends is crucial for effective intervention and support for adolescents. Trends: 1. Decline in Rates: Over the past few decades, there has been a general decline in teenage pregnancy rates in many developed countries. For instance, in the United States, the birth rate among teenagers aged 15-19 has steadily decreased from its peak in the early 1990s. 2. Regional Variations: While overall rates have decreased, there are significant regional variations. Rates tend to be higher in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities and certain geographic regions. 3. Pregnancy vs. Birth Rates: It's important to differentiate between pregnancy rates (including abortions and miscarriages) and birth rates. In some regions, while birth rates have decreased, pregnancy rates (including abortions) may not have seen the same decline. Factors Contributing to Trends: 1. Sex Education and Contraceptive Use: Comprehensive sex education programs that provide accurate information about contraception and safe sex practices have contributed to reduced teenage pregnancy rates by empowering adolescents to make informed choices. 2. Access to Contraception: Improved access to contraception, including long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), has played a significant role in preventing unintended pregnancies among teenagers who are sexually active. 3. Social and Economic Factors: Socioeconomic factors, such as poverty, lack of educational opportunities, and limited access to healthcare, can contribute to higher rates of teenage pregnancy in disadvantaged communities. 4. Cultural and Peer Influences: Cultural norms and peer pressure may influence teenagers' attitudes towards sex and contraception, impacting their likelihood of engaging in risky sexual behaviours. 5. Family Dynamics: Supportive family environments and open communication about sexual health can positively influence teenagers' decisions regarding sexual activity and contraception use. Impact and Interventions: • Health Consequences: Teenage pregnancy can have significant health implications for both the mother and child, including increased risks of preterm birth, low birth weight, and maternal complications. • Interventions: Effective interventions include promoting comprehensive sex education, improving access to healthcare and contraception, addressing socioeconomic inequalities, and fostering supportive environments for adolescents. Understanding these trends and addressing the underlying factors through evidence-based interventions is crucial for reducing teenage pregnancy rates and supporting the health and well-being of adolescent mothers and their children. 9. Describe the research evidence that people stay sexual throughout their lives. Answer: Research on human sexuality indicates that individuals maintain sexual interest, desire, and activity throughout their lives, challenging the notion that sexuality declines with age. Here's an overview of the evidence supporting sexual activity across the lifespan: 1. Sexual Activity and Aging: Studies consistently show that a significant proportion of older adults remain sexually active. For example, research from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) in the United States found that over half of men and about a third of women aged 70-79 reported being sexually active. 2. Sexual Desire: While hormonal changes associated with aging may affect sexual desire and function to some extent, many older adults continue to experience sexual desire and engage in sexual activity well into later life. 3. Relationship Factors: Long-term relationships and intimacy are important predictors of sexual activity in older adults. Emotional closeness, companionship, and shared interests contribute to maintaining sexual intimacy. 4. Health and Well-being: Healthy aging, including physical fitness and mental well-being, plays a role in maintaining sexual function and activity. Addressing chronic health conditions and maintaining overall health can support sexual well-being in older adults. 5. Psychosocial Factors: Attitudes towards sexuality and cultural norms influence older adults' sexual behaviours and expressions. Societal perceptions of aging and sexuality may impact individuals' comfort and willingness to engage in sexual activity. 6. Technological Advances: Advances in medicine and technology, such as medications for erectile dysfunction and treatments for menopausal symptoms, can enhance sexual function and satisfaction for older adults. Overall, research underscores the diversity and resilience of sexual expression across the lifespan, highlighting the importance of promoting sexual health and well-being throughout all stages of life. Understanding and supporting older adults' sexual needs and experiences contribute to overall quality of life and healthy aging initiatives. 10. Write an essay about sexually transmitted infections. Be sure to include a discussion of types of STIs and prevalence. Choose either HPV or HIV/AIDS to discuss in depth. Answer: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are infections transmitted through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. They pose significant public health challenges globally due to their prevalence, potential complications, and impact on reproductive health. This essay will focus on Human Papillomavirus (HPV), discussing its characteristics, prevalence, transmission, associated health risks, and preventive measures. Human Papillomavirus (HPV): Characteristics: HPV is a group of more than 200 related viruses, with about 40 types affecting the genital area. HPV infections are categorized into low-risk types, which cause genital warts (e.g., HPV types 6 and 11), and high-risk types, which can cause cancers such as cervical, anal, penile, vaginal, vulvar, and oropharyngeal cancers (e.g., HPV types 16 and 18). Prevalence: HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide. It is estimated that nearly all sexually active individuals will acquire HPV at some point in their lives if not vaccinated. According to the CDC, about 79 million Americans are currently infected with HPV, and around 14 million people become newly infected each year in the United States alone. Transmission: HPV is primarily transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Condoms can reduce the risk of transmission but do not provide complete protection since HPV can infect areas not covered by a condom. Health Risks: 1. Genital Warts: Low-risk HPV types can cause genital warts, which are non-cancerous growths on the genitals and surrounding areas. While not life-threatening, they can cause discomfort and emotional distress. 2. Cancer: Persistent infection with high-risk HPV types, particularly types 16 and 18, is the primary cause of cervical cancer and is associated with other cancers mentioned earlier. HPV-related cancers can develop years after initial infection, highlighting the importance of regular screening and early detection. Preventive Measures: 1. Vaccination: HPV vaccines are highly effective in preventing infection with the most common high-risk HPV types (16 and 18) and some low-risk types (6 and 11) that cause genital warts. Vaccination is recommended for both males and females starting at age 11 or 12, ideally before they become sexually active. 2. Screening: Regular cervical cancer screening (Pap tests and HPV tests) for women is crucial for detecting precancerous changes caused by HPV early when treatment is most effective. 3. Safe Sex Practices: Using condoms consistently and correctly can reduce the risk of HPV transmission, although they do not provide complete protection due to the virus's ability to infect areas not covered by condoms. 4. Education: Promoting awareness about HPV, its transmission, associated health risks, and preventive measures is essential for empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their sexual health. In conclusion, HPV is a prevalent and significant sexually transmitted infection with diverse health implications, including genital warts and various cancers. Comprehensive vaccination programs, regular screening, and education are essential strategies in combating HPV-related diseases and promoting sexual health awareness among populations worldwide. Test Bank for Exploring Marriages and Families Karen T. Seccombe 9780205915194, 9780134708201, 9780133807776
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