Chapter 1

Finding Your Way in a Diverse World

Quote for the day

“[D]anger and fear, exultation and ecstasy, [and] good and evil…converge within the

sexual arena: they comprise a small sample of the meaning with which humans endow

their sexual experiences.” Frayser, 1985, p. 1

Five Categories of Sexual Need

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What is meant byPHYSICAL needs?

Discuss

Male and Female Reproductive System

What is meant by SOCIAL needs?

Discuss

What is meant byEMOTIONAL needs?

Discuss

What is meant bySPIRITUAL needs?

Discuss

What is meant by COGNITIVE needs?

Discuss

MEETING YOUR OWN NEEDS

Each person is unique

SEXUALITY AND HUMAN DIVERSITY

• CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES

• THE CHALLENGE OF DIVERSITY

SEX RESEARCH

Sexologists or Voyeurs?

ETHICAL ISSUES

• Sexuality researchers must consider the protection of their subjects’ rights to privacy, as well as their physical and psychological welfare. This means:– “Do no harm”– Informed consent– Confidentiality

Research Methods

• Sampling Techniques– Random Sample– Stratified Sample– Biased Sample

Common Methods of Research

• Interviews and Surveys

• Observational Research

• Case Studies

• Experimental Research

Interviews and Surveys

Data is obtained by asking subjects to answer written or oral questions

Observational Research

Direct observation of subjects, either in their natural environment or in a

laboratory

Case Studies

An in-depth study of a single subject or small group of subjects in which

information is obtained through interviews, questionnaires, or

historical records

Experimental Research

Seeks to confirm cause-and-effect relationships by observing and recording subjects’ reactions to

manipulated variables

Sex Research

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Sex Research

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Quantification, Classification, and Interpretation of Data

• Descriptive Statistics

• Inferential Statistics

• Correlation

• Causation

• Reliability

• Validity

Evaluating Sex Research

Scholarly Research

Theoretical Perspectives on Sexuality

• Psychoanalytic Theory

• Social Constructionism

• Feminist Theory

• Evolutionary Theory

• Social Exchange Theory

Psychoanalytic Theory

Theory of personality originated by Freud that is based on the belief that

unconscious conflict can result in psychological or physical symptoms

Social Constructionism

Theory that emphasizes the importance of social learning on how we evaluate and apply socialization

and information in our lives

Feminist Theory

Theoretical views that emphasize the need to include the female experience

and perspective in research

Evolutionary Theory

Theory that emphasizes the gradual process of development of species

through biological adaptation - based on the idea of natural selection

Social Exchange Theory

Theory in which social interactions are analyzed in terms of costs and

rewards