Psychological Influences
Gender and sexuality
What’s the difference?
· Sex refers to a person’s biological status and is typically categorized as male, female, or intersex (i.e., atypical combinations of features that usually distinguish male from female). There are a number of indicators of biological sex, including sex chromosomes, gonads, internal reproductive organs, and external genitalia.
· Gender refers to the attitudes, feelings, and behaviors that a given culture associates with a person’s biological sex. Behavior that is compatible with cultural expectations is referred to as gender-normative; behaviors that are viewed as incompatible with these expectations constitute gender non-conformity.
· Sexual orientation refers to the sex of those to whom one is sexually and romantically attracted. Categories of sexual orientation typically have included attraction to members of one’s own sex (gay men or lesbians), attraction to members of the other sex (heterosexuals), and attraction to members of both sexes (bisexuals). While these categories continue to be widely used, research has suggested that sexual orientation does not always appear in such definable categories and instead occurs on a continuum (e.g., Kinsey, Pomeroy, Martin, & Gebhard, 1953; Klein, 1993; Klein, Sepekoff, & Wolff, 1985; Shiveley & DeCecco, 1977) In addition, some research indicates that sexual orientation is fluid for some people; this may be especially true for women (e.g., Diamond, 2007; Golden, 1987; Peplau & Garnets, 2000).
· Excerpt from: The Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients, adopted by the APA Council of Representatives, February 18-20, 2011. The Guidelines are available on the APA website at http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/guidelines.aspx
Sexual Identity
· Sexual identity is: a complex set of personal qualities, self perceptions, attitudes, values, and preferences that guide one’s sexual behavior
· HOW IT IS DEVELOPED
· Physiological Influences
· Biological Development
· Hormones produced in the body
· Puberty through sexual development
· Psychological Influences
· Messages we receive about sex and sexuality
· What is appropriate, what is not
· What is normal, what is abnormal
· Communication around sexuality
· Open/Closed
Sexual Identity Development
· Psychological Influences
· What do we think about sex and sexuxality?
· Family
· Peers
· School
· Religion
· Media
· Pop Culture
· Gender Differences
· Do we give different messages about sexual identity based on gender?
· Societal norms
· Peers
· Media messages
Sexual Socialization
· Sexual Education in school
· Think about your experience
· Were you adequately educated about your body, sex, sexuality
· Were you able to have questions answered?
· Was it ok to talk about development with your friends?
· Messages and norms regarding what is appropriate
· Differences among gender socialization
· We’ve all seen the “Real men do ABC” or “Real women are XYZ”
· What impact does this have on us and our beliefs?
· Attitudes about gender
· Do you have beliefs about gender? What are they? Where did you learn them?
Sexual Orientation
· Sexual orientation has historically been seen as two separate and distinct categories
· Either heterosexual or homosexual
· More recently these concepts are starting to be seen as existing on a continuum
· Kinsey and other sex researchers developed sexual orientation on a 6 point scale
· Is this too complex or not complex enough?
Social Attitudes and Perceptions of Sexuality
· Mental health community previously viewed homosexuality as a disorder
· Research has since found no distinguishable difference in general psychological processes or psychological health between heterosexual and homosexual individuals
· Homophobia/Sexual Prejudice
· More visibility for the LGB community has lead to increasing acceptance and more positive attitudes
· How does visibility impact our perceptions?
· Portrayal of this population in the media
· How do you think culture impacts ones perceptions of sexual orientation?
· Acceptance of homosexuality is based on cultural norms, family, beliefs, and values
· Attitudes about sexuality are also based in education
Making sex normal TED talk
Making sex normal
· “If we make sex normal and help people to be more comfortable talking about it then people will more easily report sexual assaults and rapes, they’ll more easily talk about STIs and STI testing, they’ll more easily talk about love and intimacy and connection with their partner.“
· This class is one instance where we are collaborating to create a more open dialogue about sex and sexuality
· How do we expand our contribution to this goal from just this class?
· ie; what can you do to help make sex normal?
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