PSY 3122 Lecture 1: Lecture 1

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSY 3122
• Professor: Lisa Henry

Document Summary

Sexuality is a central aspect of being human throughout life and encompasses sex, gender identities and roles, sexual orientation, eroticism, pleasure, intimacy and reproduction. Sexuality is experienced and expressed in thoughts, fantasies, desires, beliefs, attitudes, values, behaviours, practices, roles and relationships. While sexuality can include all of these dimensions, not all of them are always experienced or expressed. Sexuality is influenced by the interaction of biological, psychological, social, economic, political, cultural, ethical, legal, historical and religious and spiritual factors. Explains how our genetic makeup influences our sexuality (regulating hormones, reproductive cycles, sexual orientation, disorders and dysfunction) Concordance rate in twin studies often used (ex. sexual orientation) Sociobiological theory (based on evolutionary psychology) : this perspective applies evolutionary theory as the basis of social behaviour (including sexual behaviour) in animals and humans. Darwin"s theory of evolution (natural selection, adaptive behaviours and traits for mate selection, reproductive success, genetic transmission) is understood as being the principal motivator of all human sexual behaviour.