PSY 3122 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Human Sexuality, Oral Sex, Pederasty

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSY 3122
• Professor: Peggy Kleinplatz

Document Summary

Reading theoretical perspectives on human sexuality ( the psychology of human sexuality) For many years sex was thought of as traditional heterosexual penial-vaginal intercourse within the context of marriage and for the purpose of procreation. Any other form was viewed as sinful, and was punishable. Sex now refers to a wide range of behaviors, and no longer legally or morally restricted to traditional heterosexual marriage either. Every single sexual act is the result of several powerful forces acting upon one or more persons. Individual psychology: genetic background and evolved history, current social and cultural context in which we live. Forces that produce sexual behavior can be lumped into three broad categories: psychological variables, cultural and societal factors, biological and evolutionary influences. Mood states, level of cognitive alertness, attitudes toward sex and relationships, behavioral expectations and associations learned through enforcement. Some of these factors are transient and some are relatively stable.