LESSON 2: THE SEXUAL SELF
were rampant and considered threats to social
facets of human sexuality (influenced by
physical, psychological, spiritual and cultural
factors), sexuality as diversity of sexual
behavior, understanding the human sexual
response, sexual orientation and differentiating
love from lust.
PERSPECTIVES OF HUMAN SEXUALITY
SEXUAL SELFHOOD – how one thinks about
himself or herself as a sexual individual.
HISTORICAL – In Ancient Greece, it is the male
that assumes the dominant role. Penis was
viewed as the symbol of fertility. There wives
were considered as objects to be possessed just
like property.
Women are forbidden to own property and no
legal & political rights. Not allowed to read and
write. (Women Greek Word Gyne – bearer of
children)
THE MIDDLE AGES (476-1450) – strong
influence of the church, decreed that all sexual
acts that do not lead to procreation were
considered evil. Women labeled temptress (like
Eve) or a woman of virtue (like Virgin Mary)
PROTESTANT REFORMATION OF THE 16th
CENTURY – Martin Luther, John Calvin initiated
movement against Roman Catholic Church.
Protestantism believed sexuality is a natural
part of life and the priests should be able to
marry and have families. (physical & emotional
bond not just procreation)
BY THE 17th & 18th CENTURY – Puritans, group
of people who were discontented Church of
England, rallied for religious, moral reformation.
Had positive views on marital sex and not
condone sex of marriage. Premarital sex
considered immoral.
VICTORIAN ERA – homosexuality & prostitution
order.
Psychoanalytic Theory (Sigmund Freud)
People not comfortable discussing about
breasts/buttocks, use other terms.
Sex for women was just a marital duty assumed
pure and asexual. Should not enjoy having sex,
and if does there is something wrong with
them. Beliefs on Ejaculation more than once a
month weaken a man, masturbation leads to
blindness, insanity & death.
20th CENTURY – sexuality became more evident
and accepted in society. Separation of church
and state reduced influence in sexual mores.
Period when pregnancy can be controlled by
contraception, incidence of sexually transmitted
infections. Rise of Feminism.
BIOLOGICAL – structures and functions of the
reproductive system. In the nervous sytem, it’s
the brain that initiates and organizes sexual
behavior.
Secondary Sexual Changes (Physical Changes)
MALE – voice lower(breaks). Hair growth,
increase muscle size, skin oily & pores enlarge.
FEMALE – Breasts enlarge, hair growth, hip
widens, skin oily, pores enlarge.
Primary Sexual Changes
MALE – Spermatozoa, Testes, Penis, Scrotum,
Seminal vesicles and prostate glands.
FEMALE – Ova, Ovaries, Fallopian Tubes,
Uterus, Vagina.
FEMALE & MALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS
Fertilization, Pregnancy (Gestation Period
Begins). First few weeks, the internal & external
genital structures of the fetus are the same.
Gender determined in the 16th to 18th week.
Chromosomes – threadlike structures found in
the nucleus of each cell of the body are
composed of genes which are the basic unit of
heredity. DNA gives instructions as how the
body is structured and functions.
23 pairs (46) of chromosomes in the nucleus of
each body cell. First 22 called autosomes, and
the 23rd are the sex chromosomes (XX, XY).
Determines whether male or female.
SOCIOBIOLOGICAL/EVOLUTIONARY – studies
how evolutionary forces affect sexual behavior.
Sociobiological Theory, natural selection is a
process by which organisms that are the best
suited to their environment are most likely to
survive.
Beauty evolutionary standard for attracting
male & female, genetic characteristic will be
passed to the next gen. Big breasted produce
more milk to ensure survival of offspring, broad
shoulders ensure safety and security. (for
genetic survival than for pleasure or social
status)
PSYCHOLOGICAL – Rosenthal (2013), also
explained that sexuality involves emotions,
thoughts & beliefs.
Sigmund Freud – human beings are faced with
2 forces – sex instinct or libido (pleasure) and
death or aggressive instinct (harm oneself or
others).
EROGENOUS ZONES - mouth, anus, genitals.
5 STAGES: FREUD’S PSYCHOSEXUAL STAGES OF
DEVELOPMENT
ORAL STAGE – the child, mouth, eating or
sucking.
ANAL STAGE – anus, defecation.
PHALLIC STAGE – genitals, sexual attraction
towards opposite sex parent.
OEDIPUS COMPLEX - boy to mother
ELECTRA COMPLEX – girl to father
LATENCY STAGE – sexual impulses lie dormant
as child is occupied social activities, going to
school & playing.
GENITAL STAGE – genitals again are the
erogenous zone, sexual attraction to others.
FREUD PERSONALITY STRUCTURES
ID – seeks pleasure and aggression (pleasure
principle (I WANT IT NOW)
SUPEREGO – sense of morality, moral principle
that restrict ID. Developed when taught
difference between right & wrong.
EGO – analytical principle, analyses the need of
the id and its consequences as dictated by
superego and thinks of ways to satisfy the need
in an acceptable manner.
RELIGIOUS – Judaism holds a positive and
natural outlook toward marital sex which they
consider as blessed by God and pleasurable for
both man and woman.
In Islam, family is considered of utmost
importance, celibacy within marriage is
prohibited.
Muslim men are allowed to have up to 4 wives
but women can only have one. Sex is permitted
only within marriage & extramarital sex is
penalized.
Taoism, sex is not only natural and healthy, but
sacred union necessary to people’s physical,
mental & spiritual being. Sexual union way to
balance male & female energy.
Hinduism, sexuality is seen as spiritual force,
and act of ritual lovemaking is a mean of both
celebrating and transcending the physical.
Roman Catholic, marriage is purely for
intercourse and procreation. Pope John Paul II
confirmed the idea. (1995, Evangelium Vitae)
Homosexual orientation is not sinful but
Homosexual acts are immoral and sinful. Birth
control is opposed and prohibit abortion.
SEXUAL TERMINOLOGIES
SEX – from Latin word secare which means “to
divide”. SEXUALITY – means “to unite”.
An adolescent’s sexual identity includes sexual
orientation (either homosexual or
heterosexual), his ability to manage sexual
feelings (sexual arousal and attraction,
activities, interest and style of behavior).
DSM V (2013) sex and sexual refer to the
biological indicators of male and female or
having the capacity to reproduce.
Gender Assignment (natal gender) refers to the
initial assignment as male or female which
usually occurs at birth.
Gender Identity is a category of social identity
that refers to an individual’s identification as
male, female or some category other than male
or female. It’s the person’s subjective sense of
being man or woman.
Masculine refers to the qualities and behaviors
of boys or men whereas Feminine for women
and girls.
There are also those who have both masculine
and feminine traits, feelings, qualities. They are
called androgyny.
ASEXUAL – persons who do not experience
sexual drives or attraction to either sex
HYPERSEXUAL – persons with an excessive
interest in sex to the point where it can cause
problems in one’s life.
THE PHASES OF HUMAN SEXUAL RESPONSE
Masters & Johnson: Human Sexual Response
Cycle (HSRC)
EXCITEMENT – initial physical response to
sexual arousal. Characterized by an increase in
heart rate and blood pressure, heightened
muscle tone.
PLATEAU – period of sexual excitement prior to
orgasm. Characterized by intensification of the
changes begun during excitement phase.
ORGASM - characterized by waves of intense
pleasure (climax), often associated with vaginal
contractions and ejaculation.
RESOLUTION – return to non- excited state.
Sexual response varies from person to person
and sexual fulfillment can occur w/o completion
of all phases.
Rosenthal (2013) includes the stage of desire
prior to excitement which is the drive or
motivation to seek out sexual objects.
Triphasic Model of Sexual Response (Helen
Singer Kaplan) – which includes only sexual
desire, excitement, orgasm.
Erotic Stimulus Pathway Theory (David Reed) –
did not focus on the physical changes of sexual
response but on the psychosocial aspects of
sexual response.
Includes 4 stages: seduction (all actions
enhance attractiveness), sensation (sound,
touch, & smell), surrender (orgasm), reflection
(positive or negative sexual experience that
affect future sexual patterns)
THE CHEMISTRY OF LUST LOVE &
ATTACHMENT
ATTRACTION – is a characteristic that causes
pleasure or interest by appealing to a person’s
desires or tastes, causes one to be drawn to
other. A desire of beauty lies within the brain.
Kayan Tribe border of Burma and Thailand wear
brass rings around neck sign of elegance &
status. Rings added to them as they grow.
Maori Tribe of New Zealand tattoo their lips &
chin. Those with full blue lips is considered most
beautiful & desirable.
In Mauritana, Africa heavier is better. Thick
ankles, plump arms, large buttocks are
considered most beautiful parts of body.
LOVE: EMOTION OR DRIVE?
(dopamine system – pleasure/addiction)
Fisher concluded that, rather defining love as an
emotion, being in love can be considered a
strong motivation – an addictive craving to be
with the other person.
THREE PHASES OF ROMANTIC LOVE (Helen
Fisher & Colleagues)
LUST PHASE – described as an intense craving
for sexual contact.
Hormones Neural Pathways Involved:
Androgen, Estrogen, Pheromones and the
senses.
ATTRACTION PHASE – time couples are
infatuated and pursue a relationship. Energy
and attention focused on one person.
Hormones Neural Pathways Involved: High
dopamine and norepinephrine; low serotonin
ATTACHMENT PHASE – long term bond
between partners. Feeling of security, comfort
and emotional union.
Hormones Neural Pathways Involved:
Oxytocin, Vasopressin
JOHN LEE’S LOVE STYLES
EROS – Love is based on strong emotional
component. A romantic & passionate love
which emphasizes physical attraction and sexual
desire. Dreams the ideal characteristics of a
partner. (Love at first sight)
AGAPE – Selfless Love. The person loves
without expecting to receive the same in return.
Wish of partner is important than his own.
STORGE – Love-related friendship and based on
nonsexual affection. Love takes time.
Commitment, stability and comfort are their
goals.
LUDUS – Love is just a game, for fun and
entertainment. Not experiencing jealousy>
Don’t value commitment or intimacy.
MANIA - intense feeling which may lead to
obsessive and possessive love towards the
loved one. Always check partner’s whereabouts.
Easily get jealous.
PRAGMA – Practical and business- like love.
Plan the best time to get married, have
children, and other future plans.
THE TRIANGULAR THEORY OF LOVE
According to ROBERT STENBERG, love is made
up of 3 components:
1. Intimacy – desire to give and receive
emotional closeness, support, caring, sharing.
2. Passion – hot component of love, described
as intensely romantic or sexual desire for
another accompanied by physical attraction or
physiological arousal.
3. Commitment – cold component of love,
decision to maintain the relationship through
good and bad times.
Stenberg also described several types of love
based on the above components:
1. Liking (Intimacy) – this only involves
emotional intimacy, has no passionate intention
for long term commitment. (friendly
relationship)
2. Infatuation (Passion) – associated with the
highest degree of physiological arousal. Only
passion w/o intimacy or commitment. Usually
call love at first sight and may fade quickly.
3. Empty Love (Commitment) – relationship
with no intimacy and passion only commitment.
Couples stay together for their children or other
important reasons.
4. Romantic Love (Passion & Intimacy) –
characterized by emotional intensity and sexual
excitement. Experience may be positive and
negative
5. Companionate Love (Intimacy and
Commitment) – experienced in long deeply
committed friendship or marriage where
passion has faded. It is more durable than
romantic love and may grow over time.
6. Fatuous Love (Passion & Commitment) –
experienced by couple who spent a short time
in courtship and suddenly decided to get
married.
7. Consummate Love (Passion, Intimacy &
Commitment) – healthy balance of passion,
intimacy and commitment, couples considered
ideal to each other.
THE CHEMISTRY OF LOVE
Explains how several chemical substances in the
body have been found to naturally influence the
experience of love
1. Dopamine (DA) & Norepinephrine (NE) –
neurotransmitters that are involved in mood,
motivation, attention and excitement.
2. Serotonin – neurotransmitter that is
associated with mood, obsession, sex and sleep.
Level of serotine decreases during infatuation,
which may cause the obsession one feels during
the early phase of love.
3. Phenylethylamine (PEA) – neurochemical
that can increase the levels of (DA) and (NE)
especially in the pathways involving mood and
pleasure. Called the love drug because high
level of substance has been associated with love
and orgasm. PEA levels are low during breakup.
4. Oxytocin and Vasopressin – are
neuropeptides released from the pituitary
gland. Oxytocin causes the uterus to contract
during childbirth and allows the release of
breastmilk. Also important in trust, empathy,
emotional accessibility, pair bonding and close
relationship. Promotes positive judgements.
5. Endorphins – named for endogenous
morphine, the body’s natural opiates, similar to
man-made drugs morphine or heroin. After the
infatuation ends and if the long-term
relationship is continuous, endorphin levels may
increase. Gives the feeling of security, euphoria
and peace.
The psychology of love shows that there are
psychological theories that would explain why
people fall in love.
1. Behavioral Reinforcement Theory – The
better the feelings associated with the behavior
of a person, the more likely it is for the behavior
to be repeated.
2. Physiological Arousal Theory – The bodies
experience a physiological change first, then
people assign an emotion to that physical
sensation. It is based on the interpretation of
the brain.
3. Evolutionary Theories – love arose due to
sociobiological need. Looking for a beautiful
partner that can carry their offspring.
Based on the psychological data, factors that
would determine with whom people fall in love
are:
1. Physical Attractiveness (though beauty is in
the eye of the beholder)
2. Reciprocity (tends to like an individual who
also like them)
3. Proximity (being around anytime physically
or virtually)
4. Similarities (same age, religion, race,
education, physical attractiveness, intelligence
and socio-economic class)
DIVERSITY OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR
1. Sociosexual Behavior is a sexual behavior
involving more than one person.
2. Solitary Behavior is self-masturbation or self-
stimulation with the intention of causing sexual
arousal, feeling of pleasure and often results in
orgasm.
Erotic Dreams are involuntary images that
occur when people are asleep.
Nocturnal Emission or Wet Dreams (Male)
TYPES OF SEXUAL ORIENTATIONS
1. HOMOSEXUAL refers to a person whose
sexual orientation is toward another of same
sex. (LESBIAN AND GAY)
2. HETEROSEXUAL is a person whose sexual
orientation is towards others of opposite sex.
3. BISEXUAL – sexually oriented to both men
and women.
4. PANSEXUAL – sexually attracted to people
regardless of their sex or gender identity. Greek
word “Pan” means all or every. May also be
called gender blind.
5. TRANSGENDER – refers to the broad
spectrum of individuals who transiently or
persistently identify with a gender different
from their natal order. Social transition from
male to female or female to male. (Cross sex
hormone, & genital surgery).
Gender dysphoria if there is a distress that may
accompany the incongruence between one’s
expressed gender or gender identity and one’s
assigned gender.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STIs)
1. HIV or AIDS – (Human Immunodeficiency
Virus) & (Acquired Immunodeficiency
Syndrome)
2. Genital Herpes – caused by large family of
viruses of different strains. Strains produce non-
sexually transmitted diseases such as chicken
pox and mononucleosis.
3. Genital Warts – caused by human
papillomavirus; very contagious and most
commonly acquired in the US 15-24-year group.
4. Gonorrhea – caused by bacterium Neisseria
Gonorrhoeae which thrives the moist mucous
membranes linings of the mouth, throat, vagina,
cervix, urethra and the anal tract. Symptoms are
discharge and burning sensation during
urination (male) vaginal discharge (female).
Complications include infertility, prostate &
bladder & kidney problems.
5. Syphilis – caused by bacterium Treponema
Pallidum, a spirochete. Has 4 phases: Primary
(sores appear), Secondary (skin rashes), Latent
(period lasts for years w/o symptoms), and polyurethane that loosely lines the vagina and
Tertiary (cardiovascular disease, blindness, stops the sperm.
paralysis, skin ulcers, death)

6. Chlamydia – one of most common STIs,

Chlamydia Trachomatis, an organism that
spreads and infects genital organs of both
sexes. Many females with chlamydia are
asymptomatic. Can occur w/o sexual contact,
urinary tract or bladder infection and vaginal
yeast infection are common causes.
3. BEHAVIORAL METHODS
a. Rhythm or Calendar Method – determine the
woman’s most fertile and infertile times by
charting the menstrual cycle.
b. Abstinence or Celibacy – avoidance of sexual
intercourse.

c. Outercourse – sexual activity that does not

METHODS OF CONTRACEPTIONS include the insertion of the penis to the vagina.
1. HERMONAL METHODS d. Withdrawal (coitus interruptus) – happens
when man removes his penis from the vagina
a. Oral Contraceptives (Pills) – contains
and ejaculates outside the woman’s body.
estrogen and progestogen.

b. The Patch – small patch you stick to the skin

that releases estrogen and progestogen, stops
ovulation.
c. The Ring – small plastic ring woman inserts
into her vagina every month and releases
hormones to stop ovulation.
d. Implants – small flexible rod placed under
the skin of the upper arm by a health
professional, releases progestogen to stop
ovulation.
4. STERILIZATION
a. Tubal Ligation / Sterilization – surgery for
woman in which fallopian tubes are tied to
prevent eggs from travelling to the uterus.
b. Vasectomy – operation makes a small cut in
the upper part of scrotum then ties or blocks
the vas deferens.

e. Injectable – contraceptive injection 5. INTRAUTERINE DEVICE (IUD) – is a small

2. BARRIER METHODS
a. Diaphragm – soft dome made of latex or
silicone and is used with spermicide. It is put
into the vagina to cover the cervix.
device that is placed in the uterus by a doctor to
prevent pregnancy.
6. EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION (EC) – It is a
measure that protects against pregnancy after
unprotected sex has already occurred. Could be
through IUD or higher dosage of pills.

b. Cervical Caps – similar to diaphragm, made

of silicone.

c. Male and Female Condoms or Spermicides –

made of thin latex put over penis to stop sperm.
The female condom is made of thin