Chapter 7

THE SEXUAL
SELF
Understanding and experiencing
the self includes a discussion of
biological factors of sexual
behaviors that includes the
reproductive system and the sex
characteristics that differentiate
between man and woman.
Reproductive is a system of sex
System
organs designed for
It affects not only
reproduction and sexual
how individuals function.
view themselves
but also their
sexuality and
sexual
relationships.
 DEVELOPMENT OF SEX
CHARACTERISTICS
AND
THE HUMAN
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 Primary Sex Characteristics Secondary Sex Characteristics

 Enlargement of the breasts

 vagina,  Onset menstruation
 uterus, and  Widening of the hips
 ovaries  Enlargement of buttocks
 Growth of pubic hair

 penis,  Testicular growth

 testes or testicles,  Sperm production
 scrotum, and  Appearance of facial, pubic, and other
body hair
 prostate gland  Deepening of voice

 Are physical characteristics

present at birth
 Are the characteristics that  Developed during the onset of
distinguish male and female puberty
 Develop as the embryo grows in
the womb
 two organs that were
formed in the embryo
at about 5 weeks of
pregnancy.

Male Gonads Female Gonads

 Releases  Produce estrogen
testosterone and progesterone
as well as small
amount of
testosterone.
 Testosterone and other androgens  Estrogen promotes female reproductive
stimulate the development of primary capacity and secondary sex
and secondary sex characteristics and characteristics
also increase one’s sex drive.  Progesterone stimulates growth of the
female reproductive organs and prepares
the uterus for pregnancy.
 Unlike men. Female hormones are not
produce consistently.
o Follows a cyclical pattern production
(approx. 28-day monthly cycle)
o Greatest production – occurs during
the ovulation period (an egg is
released from the ovaries)
o Ovulation period - 14 days after the
beginning of the menstrual period
 Is a hollow organ
where fertilized
embryo grows to
become a fetus

 Carry the fertilized

egg from the
ovary to the
uterus

 A passageway
Produce, store, between the uterus
and release the and the vagina that
egg cell during expands during
clitoris ovulation childbirth

 Is a muscular tube that

made of erectile tissue
serves as the receptacle
swells with blood and
for the penis and carrier of
hardens when woman
the sperm to the uterus
is sexually aroused  Birth canal
Sexual Arousal and Erogenous Zone:
What Turns People On?
• Erogenous Zones
 are areas of the body which are highly sensitive and
produce sexual responses when stimulated.
 These includes the following:
 Genitals
 Mouth
 Breasts
 Ears
 Anus
 The entire surface of the body
MASTURBATIO One of the most basic forms of
N sexual stimulation that causes
sexual pleasure or orgasm.
(Self-
stimulation)

Involves the rubbing or fondling of the

genital areas and provides a good index
of sexual desire because it is not
constrained by the availability of a
partner.
Sexual Arousal
• Is closely tied to variations in hormonal levels
• The brain is where sexual desire originates and where
sexual behavior is controlled.
• Cognitive factors plays an important role in sexual arousal
in humans
• Cultures also influences the expression of sexual desire.
• Expression of sexual desire is also influenced by sexual
scripts or the stereotyped patterns of expectations on how
people should behave sexually.
The Phase of Sexual Responses
William Masters and Virginia
 Johnson
Found the biological responses of male and
females to sexual stimulation are quite similar.
 They use the term sexual-response cycle to
describe the changes that occur in the body as
men and women become sexually aroused.
 Four phases of sexual-response cycle:
1. Excitement
2. Plateau
3. Orgasm
4. Resolution
Excitement Phase
• Beginning of sexual arousal and can last from one minute to several hours.

Plateau Phase
• The changes in the body continues
• In men, the penis becomes more erect, the circumference of its head increases, and few
drops of fluid are released.
• In women, the outer part of the vagina swells with the surge of increased amounts of the
blood to that area, while the clitoris retracts under the clitoral hood but remains highly
sensitive.
Orgasmic Phase
• In men, contractions of the muscles in and around the penis stimulate the release of the
semen which contains the sperm cells. Men usually achieve one intense orgasm during
sexual intercourse.
• In women, involves the contraction of the pelvic muscles that surround the vaginal walls
and can happen multiple times.
Resolution Phase
• The body returns to its normal state after orgasm.
• In men, the erection is lost, the testes decrease in size, and the skin of the scrotum thins
again.
• In women, the clitoris, and the vagina return to their normal state.
Attraction, Love, and Attachment
• Puberty
During  important stage in sexual
adolescence,
development.
dating and
 time when many boys and girls first
courtship
emerge and experience their first sexual
• Initial Attraction
become attraction.
 is influenced by social norms,
increasingly
physical attractiveness, and processes
important.
of interpersonal exchange.
 • Social Norms
 influence attraction in several ways
such as in determining who are
appropriate as lovers and spouses.

• Physical Attractiveness • Romantic Love

 refers to the degree to which a  includes a complex combination of
person’s physical traits are regarded as different emotions such as fear,
aesthetically pleasing or beautiful. anger, sexual desire, joy, and
jealousy (Santrock, 2002)

• Social Exchange Theory

 proposes that attraction is the
result of an exchange process.
 1. ?

4. ? 5. ?
Robert
Sternberg

7. ?

2. ? 6. ? 3. ?
 • Biological anthropologist and
expert in the science of human
attraction.
• Suggests the important
Helen
Fisher ingredients of romantic love:
oLust
oAttraction
oAttachment
• Defines attachment as
a strong affectional tie
that binds a person to
an intimate companion
Sexual
Orientation
• Refers to a person’s sexual Bisexuality
identity anchored on what • Is an orientation where one
gender they are attracted to.
is attracted to both opposite
and same sex.
Heterosexuality
• The most common sexual orientation
in which one is sexually attracted to
members of the opposite sex.

Homosexuality
• Gay
• Is the orientation of one who
is sexually attracted to the • Lesbians
same sex.
Sexually Transmitted
Infections (STIs)
and
Early Pregnancy
 Methods of
Contraception
and
the Reproductive Law