Chapter 4 psychology

Gender Development

• Sex vs Gender
• your body defines your Sex- the biologically influenced characteristics by which people define male and female
• your mind defines your Gender- the socially influenced characteristics by which people define men and women
• males: aggression- any physical/ verbal act intended to hurt someone
• females: relational aggression- harm a person's relationship or social standing
• both male and female receives the same amount of chromosomes, feel the same emotions and longing, and need to belong(social connectedness)
• females are prone to develop puberty earlier, hormones are estrogen
• males prone to die by suicide or develop alcohol, hormones are testosterone

Gender development

• Biological sex
• primary sex characteristics: reproductive organs and external genitalia develop dramatically
• secondary sex characteristics: non- reproductive sexual traits female breast larger its facial hair pubic hairs
• males puberty landmark first ejaculation often occurs in during sleep- Spermarche
• females puberty landmark first menstrual cycle often occurs by age 12 1/2- menarche
• intersex- individuals may be born with unusual combinations of male and female chromosomes hormones and anatomy
• Gender role vs Gender identity
• gender role- the social expectations that guide our behavior as men or as women
• gender identity- is our personal sense of being male, female, or occasionally combination of the two
• Social learning theory
• assumes that we acquire our gender identity in childhood by observing and imitating other's gender-linked behaviors and by being reward or punished for acting in certain ways

Gender Development

• Gender typing
• taking on traditional male or female role varies from child to child
• Androgyny
• a blend of male and female roles feel right to them
• Transgender
• gender identity different from the behaviors or traits typically for the person's biological sex
• Asexual
• no sex attraction

Human sexuality

• Sexual response cycle
• Excitement- genital areas full with blood causing women clitoris and men penis to swell
• Plateau- excitement peaks as breathing, pulse, and blood pressure rates continue to rise. Male penis full engorged. Woman vaginal continue to increase recreation and clitoris retracts
• Orgasm- muscles contract all over the body receive from sexual release
• Resolution- body gradual returns to unaroused state, happens quickly if orgasm has occurred . Men enter a refractory period resting period last from minutes to days. Women much shorter period
• Sexual Dysfunctions
• consistently impair sexual arousal or functioning. Lacks sexual motivation
• Erectile disorder- common in men, an inability to have or maintain an erection. or Premature ejaculation reaching climax before partner wishes
• Female orgasmic disorder- distress over rarely or never having an orgasm

Human Sexuality

• Influences on sexual motivation
• Hormonal shifts throughout lifespan
• During puberty: the surge in sex hormones triggers development of sex characteristics and sexual interest
• In later life: estrogen and testosterone evens fails due to menopause, males gradual change
• For some: surgery or drugs may cause hormonal shifts
• Sexual risk taking and teen pregnancy
• Factors contribute to sexual risk are : 1. minimal communication about birth control 2.implusive sexual behavior 3. alcohol use 4. mass media influences
• Characteristics of teens who delay intercourse
• factors contribute 1. high intelligence 2. religious engagement 3. father presence 4. participation in service learning programs

Sexual Orientation

• Sexual orientation- our enduring sexual attractions toward others
• Homosexual
• Heterosexual
• Bisexual
• Asexuality
• Genetic influences
• Homosexual people were no more likely than heterosexual people to have been smothered by maternal love or neglected by their father

Evolutionary Psychology

• Evolutionary psychologist- study of how ur behavior and mind have changed in adaptive ways over time due to natural selection
• Natural selection- nature selecting traits and appetites that contribute to survival and reproduction
• Evolutionary psychologist uses natural selection principle to explain how men and women differ from bedroom vs boardroom
• Men pair widely, woman pair wisely
• Criticism of evolutionary explantations: three main criticism
• starts with an effect and works backwards to propose an explanation
• explanation may overlook the. effects of cultural expectations and socialization
• men could use such explanation to rationalize their negative behavior toward women