HDFS 445 Exam 1 PDF
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Uploaded by GloriousPersonification5582
Michigan State University
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This document is an exam paper covering various aspects of human sexuality, including biological, evolutionary, and social perspectives. The exam questions delve into topics like the sexual permissiveness of millennials, gender identities, biological variations, and historical influences.
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1. Are millennials more or less sexually permissive than their parents? Why/why not? ○ Millennials are generally more sexually permissive, influenced by increased social acceptance, access to information, and shifting cultural norms. 2. Does shaving genitals make one more vuln...
1. Are millennials more or less sexually permissive than their parents? Why/why not? ○ Millennials are generally more sexually permissive, influenced by increased social acceptance, access to information, and shifting cultural norms. 2. Does shaving genitals make one more vulnerable to an STI? ○ Yes, shaving can create microtears in the skin, making it easier for infections to spread. 3. Describe Transgender and Nonbinary gender identities. ○ Transgender individuals have a gender identity different from their assigned sex at birth. Nonbinary people don't exclusively identify as male or female. 4. How are aspects of biological sex not so “black and white” (male/female)? ○ Biological sex includes variations in chromosomes, hormones, and reproductive organs that don't always fit into clear male or female categories. 5. What did John Money believe about intersex children? ○ John Money believed intersex children could be raised as one gender through early medical intervention and socialization. 6. What term is used when someone transitions to another gender and asks others to refer to them by a new name, and to not refer to them by their old name? ○ The term is "social transition." 7. What is the difference between sex reassignment surgery and gender confirmation surgery? ○ Sex reassignment surgery refers to medical procedures that change physical sex characteristics. Gender confirmation surgery is a broader term encompassing all procedures aligning physical traits with gender identity. 8. Describe what it is like for a long-term romantic partner to stay with a partner who transitions to another gender. ○ It may involve challenges like emotional adjustment, redefining the relationship, and navigating societal changes, but also can lead to a deeper bond through mutual support. 9. What is it like for a parent of a child who decides at an early age that they are not their assigned gender? ○ It can be emotionally complex, involving acceptance, learning, and adjusting to new identities, but also offering the opportunity for growth and support. 10.Are identical twins more or less likely to identify as gay when they are adults? Identical twins are more likely to both identify as gay compared to non-identical twins, suggesting a genetic influence on sexual orientation. Psychological Perspective and Influences 1. Emotions ○ Break up sex: Engaging in sexual activity after a breakup, often to cope with emotions or as a form of closure. 2. Attitudes ○ Attitudes toward sex: Personal beliefs or feelings about sexual behavior, partners, and norms. 3. Motivations ○ Sexual motivations: Reasons behind why individuals engage in sex, which can include physical, emotional, or social reasons. Social Perspectives and Influences 1. Very Rare to Have a Universally Held Sexual Perspective ○ Marriage and Incest: Cultural norms often restrict marriage to specific social categories, with incest being widely prohibited. 2. Religion ○ Ancient Greece and Rome: Gods devoted to sex, reflecting the significance of sexuality in both myth and culture. ○ Islam: Women often viewed as more sexually driven than men in some interpretations of Islam. ○ Christianity/Catholicism: Virgin Mary vs. Eve: Represents the duality of “good” and “bad” female sexuality. John 8:7: "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." John 8:11: "Neither do I condemn thee: go and sin no more." ○ Taoism: Sex is seen as healthy, helping balance the Yin and Yang, vital for maintaining harmony. 3. India ○ Kama Sutra: Ancient text that discusses love, relationships, and sexuality, emphasizing that sex is integral to life and relationships. 4. China ○ Hung Dynasty: Historical period with its own social and sexual norms, particularly related to the role of sexuality in culture and society. Biological and Evolutionary Perspectives and Influences 1. Biological ○ Genes: Genetic factors that influence sexual behavior and attraction. ○ DRD4 - Dopamine Receptor (The cheating gene?): A gene that may be linked to promiscuous behavior due to its effect on dopamine levels. ○ Hormones: Hormonal influences on sexual desire and behavior, including the role of sex hormones. ○ Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH): A condition affecting sexual differentiation and development due to enzyme deficiencies in the adrenal glands. ○ Testosterone Spike During Ovulation: Women experience a rise in testosterone during ovulation, potentially increasing sexual desire. 2. Evolutionary ○ Genes in the Gene Pool: The idea that sexual behavior and preferences help ensure the survival of certain genes through reproduction. ○ What Separates Human Sex from Other Animals: The role of culture, emotion, and relationships in human sexuality, which is often more complex than in other species. US Historical Perspectives and Influences 1. Victorian Era ○ Good girls don't like sex: Strong societal pressure for women to suppress sexual desire, reinforcing purity and chastity. 2. Beginning of the 20th Century: Suffrage Movement ○ Women's rights movement advocating for equal rights, including sexual autonomy and reproductive rights. 3. World War II: Gender Roles ○ Expansion and flexibility of gender roles as women joined the workforce during the war, with a return to more traditional roles postwar. 4. The Sexual Revolution ○ 1960s and 70s: A cultural shift towards sexual freedom, with less shame around premarital sex, use of contraception, and LGBTQ+ rights. 5. AIDS in the 1980s ○ A return to more conservative sexual attitudes and behaviors, as the AIDS epidemic raised awareness about safer sex practices and the dangers of unprotected sex. Theories 1. Evolutionary Theory ○ Suggests that human sexual behavior is shaped by natural selection and the need to pass on genes. It emphasizes reproductive success and sexual attraction based on evolutionary advantages. 2. Social and Personality Theory ○ Focuses on how social influences, such as culture, family, and peer groups, shape sexual attitudes, behaviors, and identities. Personality traits can also play a role in sexual preferences and behaviors. 3. Psychoanalytic Theory ○ Developed by Freud, it proposes that unconscious desires, early childhood experiences, and internal conflicts shape sexual behavior. Sexuality is seen as an important part of human development. 4. Feminist Theory ○ Focuses on how gender inequality and power dynamics shape sexual behavior and attitudes. It critiques traditional sexual norms that favor men and oppress women, advocating for sexual autonomy and equality. Methods 1. Experimental vs. Non-Experimental Methodology ○ Experimental: Involves manipulating variables to establish cause-and-effect relationships, typically using control and experimental groups. ○ Non-Experimental: Observational studies where no variables are manipulated, often focusing on correlations or descriptions. 2. Physiological Arousal Measurement Tools ○ Tools like genital response measurement (e.g., penile plethysmograph or vaginal photoplethysmograph), heart rate, skin conductance, and brain imaging (e.g., fMRI) assess physiological responses to sexual stimuli. 3. Tools Used in Assigning Biological Sex ○ Chromosomal analysis (e.g., karyotyping), gonadal examination (ovaries or testes), and hormonal levels help determine biological sex at birth or in intersex cases. Anatomy 1. Penis - Corona ○ The corona is the raised ridge around the head (glans) of the penis, often considered the most sensitive part of the male genitalia. 2. Testes, Epididymis ○ Testes: Organs that produce sperm and testosterone. ○ Epididymis: A coiled tube attached to the testes where sperm mature and are stored. 3. Cowper’s Gland ○ A pair of small glands that secrete pre-ejaculatory fluid, which helps lubricate the urethra and neutralizes acidic urine residues. 4. Prostate Gland ○ A gland located below the bladder that produces fluid to nourish and transport sperm. 5. Pituitary Gland ○ A small gland at the base of the brain that regulates hormones, including those related to sexual function (e.g., FSH, LH, testosterone). 6. Clitoris, Vagina, Vulva, G-spot ○ Clitoris: A highly sensitive organ involved in female sexual pleasure. ○ Vagina: The muscular canal that connects the external genitalia to the uterus. ○ Vulva: The external female genitalia, including the labia, clitoris, and vaginal opening. ○ G-spot: A controversial area inside the vagina that some believe is a sensitive zone for sexual pleasure. 7. Uterus, Fallopian Tubes, Cervix, Ovaries ○ Uterus: The organ where a fetus develops during pregnancy. ○ Fallopian Tubes: Tubes connecting the ovaries to the uterus, where fertilization often occurs. ○ Cervix: The lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. ○ Ovaries: Glands that produce eggs (ova) and hormones like estrogen and progesterone. 8. Vas Deferens ○ The tube that transports sperm from the epididymis to the urethra during ejaculation. 9. FSH and LH ○ FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone): Stimulates the growth of eggs in women and sperm production in men. ○ LH (Luteinizing Hormone): Triggers ovulation in women and stimulates testosterone production in men. 10.Genital Alteration ○ Refers to surgical or medical procedures that alter the appearance or function of genital organs, including circumcision and gender confirmation surgeries. 11.Does shaving genitals increase risk of STIs? Why or why not? ○ Yes, shaving can increase the risk of STIs because it can cause microtears in the skin, making it easier for infections to enter the body. Puberty (and Beyond!) 1. Menarche vs. Semenarche ○ Menarche: The first menstrual period in females, marking the start of menstruation. ○ Semenarche: The first ejaculation in males, marking the start of sperm production. 2. Menstruation ○ The monthly shedding of the uterine lining in females, typically lasting 3-7 days, which is a sign of reproductive health. 3. Dysmenorrhea ○ Painful menstruation, often characterized by cramps, which can be either primary (without underlying conditions) or secondary (due to other issues like endometriosis). 4. Cervical Cancer Detection ○ Pap smear: A test used to screen for cervical cancer by detecting abnormal cells in the cervix. 5. Menopause ○ The natural cessation of menstruation, typically occurring around age 50, marking the end of a woman’s reproductive years. 6. Climacteric ○ The period of life when a person undergoes physical and hormonal changes, including menopause, often accompanied by a decline in fertility and sexual function. 7. Perimenopause ○ The transition period before menopause, usually beginning in a woman’s 40s, characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, hot flashes, and other hormonal changes. 8. Testicular vs. Prostate Cancer Risks ○ Testicular Cancer: More common in young men, especially those between 15-35 years old. Risk factors include a family history and undescended testicles. ○ Prostate Cancer: More common in older men, typically over 50. Risk factors include age, family history, and race (higher risk in African American men). Variations in Bio Sex and Gender 1. Cisgender ○ A person whose gender identity matches their assigned sex at birth. 2. Transgender ○ A person whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. 3. Non-binary ○ A gender identity that doesn't fit within the traditional male or female categories, often encompassing a range of gender experiences. 4. Bigender ○ A person who experiences two gender identities, either simultaneously or at different times, such as male and female. 5. Assigned Sex at Birth ○ The sex (male or female) that is assigned to an individual at birth based on visible anatomy. 6. Male/Female Bodied ○ Refers to the physical characteristics typically associated with male or female sex, including genitals, chromosomes, and secondary sexual traits. 7. BNST (Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis) ○ A brain region linked to gender identity, with structural differences often observed between male and female brains. 8. Intersex ○ A condition where a person is born with biological characteristics (chromosomes, gonads, genitals) that don’t fit typical definitions of male or female. 9. Turner’s Syndrome ○ A chromosomal disorder in which a female is born with only one X chromosome (instead of two), often leading to short stature, infertility, and other physical differences. 10.Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS) A condition where a person is genetically male (XY chromosomes) but is resistant to male hormones (androgens), leading to female physical traits and infertility. 11.Klinefelter’s Syndrome A condition where males are born with an extra X chromosome (XXY), leading to physical and developmental changes such as reduced fertility, breast tissue development, and learning differences. 12.Gender Schema Cognitive structures that guide individuals’ understanding of gender, including societal norms and expectations about male and female roles. 13.Deadnaming Referring to someone by their birth name (often when they’ve transitioned to a new gender identity), which can be harmful and invalidating. 14.Gender Dysphoria A condition where a person experiences significant discomfort or distress due to a mismatch between their gender identity and their assigned sex at birth. Vaginal Rejuvenation vs. Labiaplasty 1. Vaginal Rejuvenation ○ A procedure aimed at tightening or rejuvenating the vaginal canal, often to improve function or appearance, typically after childbirth or due to aging. 2. Labiaplasty ○ A surgical procedure to reduce or alter the size and shape of the labia minora or labia majora (the inner or outer folds of the vulva), often for cosmetic or functional reasons. Perceptions of Menstruation 1. Perceptions of Menstruation ○ Menstruation can be viewed differently across cultures and individuals. In some cultures, it is seen as a natural and positive sign of fertility, while in others it may be stigmatized, leading to discomfort or embarrassment. Attitudes can also vary based on gender, age, and personal experiences.