Psychology 2075 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Squaw, Sexual Identity, Reproductive Rights

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 2075
• Professor: Corey Isaacs

Document Summary

Sex (in context of this textbook) => means sexual behaviour, not gender. Sexual behaviour: behaviour that produces arousal and increases the chance of orgasm. Has values and ethics regarding sexuality => powerful influence on sexual attitude and behaviour. Christians in 15th century: wet dreams: intercourse w/ spiritual incubi and succubi, wet dreams, sexual dysfunction, lust => caused by witchcraft. Muslims: sex is taught by prophet muhammad, primarily as source of pleasure, secondarily as reproduction. Religion is also influent in discussion of homosexuality and abortion: conservative christians => oppose same-sex sexual behaviour and marriage. Scientific study of sex began 19th century. 1875: oskar hertwig observed fertilization of egg by sperm in sea urchins: fertilization of human ovum not observed until 20th century. Sigmund freud: first psychological analysis of human sexuality. 19th century: sexuality norms very rigid and oppressive, peter gay describes as: men kept mistresses, had prostitutes, molested children, while their wives didn"t do anything and just focused on housekeeping/child rearing.