Understanding the Physical Self

The Physical Self

• The physical self is influenced by both biological and environmental factors.
• Heredity involves the transmission of traits from parents to offspring through specific information in genes.
• Genotype is the specific genetic information a person has, while phenotype is how those genes are physically expressed.
• Individuals have 23 pairs of chromosomes, which contain genes; the 23rd pair determines sex.
• DNA, found in chromosomes, contains the genetic instructions for an individual's biological development.
• Maturation is the completion of growth or the unfolding of inherited traits.

Environmental Conditioning

• Environmental factors such as social networks, societal expectations, and cultural practices all play a role in shaping the physical self as one develops.
• Family serves as the foundational social group in this development.
• Exposure to larger social groups and new practices can lead individuals to adopt behaviors to be attractive and acceptable.
• Contemporary media has associated slim bodies as ideal for women and muscular bodies for men, however, physical beauty is only skin deep.

The Beginning of Life

• Fertilization is the meeting of the female and male sex cells.
• Gonads are where sex cells are developed.
• Testes are male gonads (spermatozoa are male sex cells).
• Ovaries are female gonads (ova are female sex cells).
• A zygote is a fertilized egg with all hereditary potential from both parents.
• Genes are small particles in a string-like formation.
• DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) contains hereditary code with information and instructions about traits.
• Maturation is considered the unfolding of the inherited traits.

The Sexual Self

• Puberty, typically occurring between ages 10–15, is when reproductive organs mature due to increased hormone levels (testosterone in males and estrogen in females).
• Reproductive capability lasts until old age for males, stopping at menopause for females.
• Erogenous zones trigger arousal when touched in a sexual manner, include the mouth, breasts, genitals, and anus.
• Human sexual behavior encompasses any activity inducing sexual arousal.
• Two primary influences on human sexual behavior are the inherited sexual response geared toward reproduction and societal restraints or influences.

Types of Sexual Behavior

• Solitary behavior includes self-gratification or stimulation leading to arousal and climax, typically in private. It normally starts at puberty and entails fantasies.
• Sociosexual behavior starts in childhood, driven by curiosity like examining genitalia. Necking and petting are part of courtship and mate selection.
• Coitus refers to the insertion of the male organ into the female organ

Sex vs. Gender

• Sex is the biological difference; gender encompasses the economic, social, and cultural aspects assigned to males or females.
• Sexuality covers the expression of identity, thoughts, feelings, sexual expression, relationships, and biology within the sexual response system.

The Human Sexual Response Phases

• Excitement phase involves increased pulse and blood pressure, leading to higher skin temperature, flushing, swelling, rapid breathing, genital fluid secretion, vaginal expansion, and muscle tension.
• Plateau phase is generally short, and orgasm typically occurs if stimulation continues.
• During sexual climax or orgasm, there is intense pleasure, a rise in blood pressure, pelvic muscle spasms causing contractions in female organs and ejaculation in males with involuntary vocalizations.
• Resolution phase is a return to a normal physiological state; males return to normal even with continued stimulation, whereas continued stimulation can lead to additional orgasms in females.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

• Chlamydia: A viral disease caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. Both men and women can be affected.
• Chancroid: Bacterial infection caused by Haemophilus Ducreyi streptobacillus which causes genital sores and spreads by sexual contact; also known as molle ulcus.
• Crab/Pubic Lice: Transmitted via sexual activity, the lice stick to pubic hair or can be found in the armpits, mustache, beard, eyelashes, and eyebrows. They feed on human blood.
• Genital Herpes: Causes sores, buttocks, and thighs, and can get it through vaginal, anal or oral sex.
• Hepatitis B: Caused by Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) transmitted through semen, blood, or body fluids. Can also be acquired through unprotected sex, unsterilized syringes, infected breast milk, or bites from infected people.
• Trichomoniasis: A sexually transmitted disease caused by the parasite Trichonomas vaginalis, which affects both sexes although women are more likely to have symptoms.
• HIV/AIDS: HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) destroys white blood cells, risking extreme infections and cancers. AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is the final stage and is caused from unprotected sex, sharing needles, and contact with HIV blood; or during pregnancy.
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV): A group of viruses that cause warts, and spreads through the skin during sexual contact or intimate contact.
• Scabies: A skin infestation caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabies, which lives for months the skin and reproduces on the skin layer.
• Syphilis: A bacteria-caused sexually transmitted disease infecting both male and female genital regions, skin, mouth, and anus.

Natural and Artificial Methods of Contraception

• Abstinence: The decision to avoid sexual intercourse, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
• Withdrawal/Coitus Interruptus: A birth control method where the penis is withdrawn from the vagina before ejaculation.
• Calendar Method: Calculates fertile days in a woman’s cycle based on duration of previous menstrual cycles.
• Barrier Method: Creates a barrier to prevent sperm from reaching the egg cell (male & female condoms, contraceptive sponges, diaphragms).
• Hormonal Method: Uses hormonal contraceptives for birth control (vaginal ring, birth control patch, intrauterine device/IUD).
• Surgical Sterilization: A surgical procedure in which female undergoes tubal ligation, while males undergo vasectomy.