Summary lectures psychology of sexuality
Summary lectures psychology of sexuality.............................................................................1
Summary lectures psychology of sexuality.............................................................................1
Lecture 1 | Introduction.......................................................................................................6
Lecture 1 | Introduction.......................................................................................................6
Sex as a computer metaphor....................................................................................6
Sex as a noun...........................................................................................................6
Talking about sex feels awkward, yet sex is all around us........................................7
Associations with the word sex.................................................................................7
But, what is sex?.......................................................................................................7
How do people have sex?.........................................................................................7
1. Not........................................................................................................................ 7
2. Solitary sexual behaviours....................................................................................8
Lecture 2 | How and why do people have sex?...................................................................9
Lecture 2 | How and why do people have sex?...................................................................9
3. Partnered sexual behaviours................................................................................9
Four basic positions................................................................................................10
Reaching orgasm and the orgasm gap...................................................................10
How do people define having sex?.........................................................................11
Coital imperative.....................................................................................................11
How do homosexual people define having sex?.....................................................11
What is sex?........................................................................................................... 11
The ‘sexual career’ in the Netherlands....................................................................12
Former beliefs about sex........................................................................................12
Why humans have sex............................................................................................12
Why humans have sex: differences between men and women are small...............12
Lecture 3 | Sex and culture: the role of religion and science.............................................13
Lecture 3 | Sex and culture: the role of religion and science.............................................13
1. The traditional Christian view.....................................................................................13
1. The traditional Christian view.....................................................................................13
The traditional Christian view on sexuality..............................................................13
Bonobos do it missionary........................................................................................13
The consequences of the traditional Christian view on sexuality............................14
The traditional Christian view on sexuality..............................................................14
Sexual suppression can lead to erotic art...............................................................14
Sexual suppression can lead to sexual abuse........................................................15
Pope Francis on homosexuality..............................................................................15
Correlation between religion and tolerance of homosexuality -0.78........................15
Religiosity and sexuality..........................................................................................15
Gay conversion therapy or reparative therapy........................................................16
The traditional Christian church splintered, many people are no longer religious....16
, 2. The traditional science view.......................................................................................16
2. The traditional science view.......................................................................................16
Victorian era (1837 - 1901).....................................................................................16
From religion to science, from sinful to unhealthy...................................................16
Anti-masturbation devices.......................................................................................17
John Harvey Kellogg M.D.......................................................................................17
Victorian era: prostitution and porn.........................................................................17
Victorian era: archeological finds in a secret museum............................................17
1870/1880 invention of the vibrator.........................................................................17
Vibrator from massage rod to magic wand..............................................................18
Vibrators in all shapes, sizes and colours...............................................................18
Lecture 4 | Sex and culture: the sociological view, Freud, radical political view................18
Lecture 4 | Sex and culture: the sociological view, Freud, radical political view................18
3. The sociological view.................................................................................................19
3. The sociological view.................................................................................................19
The sociological view..............................................................................................19
Protecting the people: movie inspection.................................................................19
November 1976, the police of Maastricht confiscated the movie Deep Throat........19
Netherlands: Kijkwijzer & United States: MPAA......................................................20
Pornography legislation, censorship in general.......................................................20
Weird laws in the United States: remnants of the sociological view on sexuality....20
Self-censorship.......................................................................................................20
Censorship on Facebook and Instagram................................................................20
Counter movement against censorship...................................................................21
4. The Freudian view.....................................................................................................21
4. The Freudian view.....................................................................................................21
Sigmund Freud.......................................................................................................21
Sometimes repression fails.....................................................................................21
Freudian dream symbols........................................................................................21
Sometimes repression fails.....................................................................................22
The solution lies in sublimation...............................................................................22
5. The radical political view............................................................................................22
5. The radical political view............................................................................................22
The radical political view on sexuality.....................................................................22
Sigmund Freud and Wilhelm Reich.........................................................................22
Wilhelm Reich.........................................................................................................23
The radical political view on sexuality.....................................................................23
6. A simple learning view...............................................................................................23
6. A simple learning view...............................................................................................23
A simple learning model..........................................................................................23
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs...................................................................................23
A simple learning model..........................................................................................24
Alfred Kinsey........................................................................................................... 24
Shere Hite............................................................................................................... 24
, Masters and Johnson.............................................................................................24
Masters and Johnson’s Sexual Response Cycle....................................................25
A simple learning model..........................................................................................25
Sexual behaviour....................................................................................................25
Lecture 5 | Sex and culture: simple learning view, biopsychosocial view, sexology
research............................................................................................................................ 27
Lecture 5 | Sex and culture: simple learning view, biopsychosocial view, sexology
research............................................................................................................................ 27
A simple learning view............................................................................................27
Sexual behaviour....................................................................................................27
Non-experimental research: case-study.................................................................28
Non-experimental research: survey........................................................................28
Non-experimental research: observation................................................................28
Non-experimental research: observation, various additional measurement methods
............................................................................................................................... 29
Experimental research............................................................................................29
Research methods..................................................................................................29
7. A biopsychosocial view..............................................................................................30
7. A biopsychosocial view..............................................................................................30
A biopsychosocial view on sexuality.......................................................................30
The psycho-somatic circle of sex - Bancroft............................................................30
Spontaneous and responsive desire.......................................................................31
Responsive desire ≠ abnormal................................................................................32
Sexual response cycle - extended version..............................................................32
Views on sexuality..................................................................................................32
The psychology of the human body........................................................................33
Sexual response cycle............................................................................................33
Lecture 6 | Psychology of the male physiology, male sexual response cycle....................33
Lecture 6 | Psychology of the male physiology, male sexual response cycle....................33
Psychology of the male physiology.........................................................................33
The psychology of the human body........................................................................34
Sexual response cycle............................................................................................34
Psychology of the male physiology.........................................................................34
Male - external anatomy.........................................................................................34
Global map of male circumcision............................................................................35
Size of the foreskin.................................................................................................35
Male - external anatomy.........................................................................................35
Male - internal anatomy..........................................................................................36
Male sexual response cycle....................................................................................37
Coolidge effect........................................................................................................39
Sperm facts............................................................................................................ 39
Characteristics of the penis.....................................................................................39
Psychology of the penis..........................................................................................39
Penis dimensions....................................................................................................40
Lecture 7 | Psychology of the female physiology...............................................................40
,Lecture 7 | Psychology of the female physiology...............................................................40
Psychology of the female physiology......................................................................40
Women - anatomy of secondary sex characteristics...............................................40
Characteristics of female breasts............................................................................41
Attribute preferences according to women and men...............................................41
Psychology of female breasts.................................................................................41
Obsession with/function of female breasts..............................................................42
Pubic wig seller.......................................................................................................43
Female Genital Mutilation worldwide......................................................................43
Female Genital Mutilation.......................................................................................43
Reasons for Female Genital Mutilation...................................................................44
Characteristics of the vulva and vagina..................................................................45
Psychology of the vulva and vagina........................................................................45
Lecture 8 | Female physiology, female sexual response cycle..........................................45
Lecture 8 | Female physiology, female sexual response cycle..........................................45
Psychology of the vulva and vagina........................................................................45
Female genital cosmetic surgery............................................................................46
Jamie McCartney - the great wall of vagina............................................................46
Body dissatisfaction (in the U.S.)............................................................................46
Female - internal anatomy......................................................................................46
Clitoris..................................................................................................................... 47
Clitoris and penis....................................................................................................47
Female - internal anatomy......................................................................................47
Female fluids as a response to sexual stimulation, sexual arousal and orgasm.....47
Vaginal squirting.....................................................................................................47
Female - internal anatomy......................................................................................48
Hormonal or Copper Intrauterine Device (IUD).......................................................48
Female - internal anatomy......................................................................................48
Female sexual response cycle................................................................................48
Female orgasm.......................................................................................................50
Lecture 9 | Coitus, ovulation, pregnancy, gender..............................................................50
Lecture 9 | Coitus, ovulation, pregnancy, gender..............................................................50
Female orgasm.......................................................................................................50
Sex, masturbation and orgasm - the orgasm gap...................................................51
Male-orgasm imperative.........................................................................................51
Sexual behaviour in the Netherlands......................................................................51
Coitus..................................................................................................................... 51
Coitus - the first time...............................................................................................52
Coitus - duration.....................................................................................................52
Coitus - the consequences - pregnancy..................................................................52
The psychology of ovulation...................................................................................53
Pregnancy.............................................................................................................. 53
Sex [noun].............................................................................................................. 54
Biological ambiguity................................................................................................54
Sex versus gender..................................................................................................55
Gender roles are learned........................................................................................55
, Gender reveal parties.............................................................................................55
Gender roles learned immediately after birth..........................................................56
Gender roles are learned........................................................................................56
Gender stereotypes................................................................................................56
Sexual double standard..........................................................................................56
Gender polarization................................................................................................57
Gender stereotypes and gender roles.....................................................................57
Not always in line....................................................................................................57
Gender, a biopsychosocial construct......................................................................58
Biological sex and gender identity...........................................................................58
Lecture 10 | Sexual orientation..........................................................................................59
Lecture 10 | Sexual orientation..........................................................................................59
Sex and gender......................................................................................................59
Biological sex and gender identity...........................................................................59
Sexual orientation in Dutch population....................................................................59
Sexual orientation...................................................................................................60
Sexual orientation in Dutch population and Dutch youngsters................................60
Homosexuality........................................................................................................60
Prevalence of homosexuality..................................................................................60
Theories of Sexual Orientation...............................................................................61
Sexual orientation and sexual flexibility..................................................................64
Sexual attraction.....................................................................................................64
Attitudes on same-sex behaviour............................................................................64
Origins of sexual prejudice......................................................................................64
Do homophobes secretly have homosexual feelings?............................................65
Can homosexuality be cured?................................................................................65
Is homosexuality socially contagious?....................................................................65
Same-sex marriage in the Netherlands legal since 2001........................................65
Development in attitude towards homo- and bisexuality in the Netherlands...........65
Lecture 11 | Cultural changes...........................................................................................65
Lecture 11 | Cultural changes...........................................................................................65
LGBTQIA+ community............................................................................................65
Same-sex marriage and gender equality in the Netherlands...................................66
Attitudes towards homo- and bisexuality in the Netherlands...................................66
Culture.................................................................................................................... 66
Changes in the second half of the 20th century......................................................66
Sexual ‘revolution’...................................................................................................68
The Netherlands is a multicultural society...............................................................69
Guest workers.........................................................................................................69
Turkish and Moroccan migrants..............................................................................70
Dutch youngsters with a Turkish or Moroccan migration background compared to
Native Dutch youngsters.........................................................................................70
Culture and sexuality..............................................................................................72
Lecture 12 | Pornography, social media, body image........................................................72
Lecture 12 | Pornography, social media, body image........................................................72
1971 Blue Movie and 1973 Turkish Delight (Turks Fruit)........................................72
, 1972/1976 Deep Throat: Start of the “golden age of porn”......................................72
Sex available in video stores..................................................................................73
Sex available on the internet...................................................................................73
Growth of pornography...........................................................................................73
Hard to define pornography....................................................................................73
How do people define pornography?......................................................................73
Pornography versus erotica....................................................................................74
Defining pornography in research...........................................................................74
Who watches porn?................................................................................................74
What does (mainstream hardcore) porn look like?..................................................74
Myths and misconceptions in pornography.............................................................74
Why do people watch porn?...................................................................................75
Female friendly and ethical porn.............................................................................75
Negative attitude towards pornography..................................................................75
Research on (the dangers of) pornography use is difficult......................................75
Positive effects of pornography use?......................................................................76
Negative effects of pornography use?....................................................................76
Findings in research on the dangers of pornography for romantic relationships.....76
Effects of pornography use.....................................................................................76
Imitating role models & vision of ‘perfection............................................................77
Photoshop and dissatisfaction................................................................................77
Preventing negative effects.....................................................................................77
Lecture 1 | Introduction
● Introduction to the course
● What is sex?
● How do people have sex?
Sex as a computer metaphor
- Hardware - biology
- Operating system - evolution
- Software - social environment and culture (including religion)
- Helpdesk - sexologist (can determine whether your problem has e.g. biological,
psychological or relational causes)
- Computers get older…
Sex as a noun
Sex as a noun refers to the biological state of being male or female (assigned male/female
at birth, AMAB/AFAB) and is not always congruent with gender (man, woman, both or
neither). Not every person has a penis or vulva; some have neither or both, or for some it’s
not clear (e.g. intersex). Also, some people with a penis do not identify as male later, and the
same for females (transgender or non-binary).
, Talking about sex feels awkward, yet sex is all around us
Nowadays sex is a bit of a taboo, and it is awkward to talk about. It’s seen in advertisements,
but still hidden, and genitals and female nipples are censored while male nipples are
allowed. Furthermore, pornography is freely available in huge quantities, but it’s still difficult
to talk about sex, your sexual behaviour and sexual fantasies.
Associations with the word sex
Sex is often associated with intimacy, pleasure and love. In the Western world, a lot of
relationships are based on love and monogamous relationships between man and woman.
However, in many cultures, love is not necessarily part of the relationship (e.g. arranged
marriages). Specifically, Dutch youngsters think about sex positively and enjoy sex, with
men being a bit happier than women.
But, what is sex?
It is hard to find a good definition of sex.
Wikipedia: Human sexual activity, human sexual practice or human sexual behavior is the
manner in which humans experience and express their sexuality.
Oxford dictionary: Sex is sexual activity, including specifically sexual intercourse. Sexuality is
sexual activity.
Yourdictionary: Sex is any function or behavior involved with reproduction.
Go Ask Alice: Sex is the birds and the bees. Getting it on.
How do people have sex?
1. Not
Asexuality (versus allosexuality)
Around 1-2% of the population is asexual, which means to have no desire to engage in sex
with a partner, while they may still desire the romantic aspect. In contrast, allosexuality
means to feel desire for sex with a partner. Asexuality is a spectrum, so you can also be
gray-asexual/graysexual, where you do experience sexual attraction but not often or
intensely. A demisexual experiences sexual orientation only after forming an emotional
connection.
Some asexual people masturbate, but non-directed (without erotic thoughts). Sex-favourite
asexual people have sex because they want to and enjoy it, but they are not sexually
attracted to people. Sex-indifferent asexual people feel no sexual attraction, but will still have
sex with their partner if they find that their partner finds sex to be important in a romantic
relationship.
Voluntary celibacy
They do feel sexual attraction but choose not to act on it. Estimates are that around 20% of
the population lives voluntarily celibate (here: not having had sex in the past year).
Nowadays, more youngsters wait to have sex until a later age. Complete voluntary celibacy
is someone who also does not masturbate, while partial means to still masturbate but have
no sexual partner.
Reasons for voluntary celibacy are religion (nuns and priests take a vow of celibacy) or
moral reasons (save sex for marriage or a stable, romantic partner).
Summary lectures psychology of sexuality.............................................................................1
Summary lectures psychology of sexuality.............................................................................1
Lecture 1 | Introduction.......................................................................................................6
Lecture 1 | Introduction.......................................................................................................6
Sex as a computer metaphor....................................................................................6
Sex as a noun...........................................................................................................6
Talking about sex feels awkward, yet sex is all around us........................................7
Associations with the word sex.................................................................................7
But, what is sex?.......................................................................................................7
How do people have sex?.........................................................................................7
1. Not........................................................................................................................ 7
2. Solitary sexual behaviours....................................................................................8
Lecture 2 | How and why do people have sex?...................................................................9
Lecture 2 | How and why do people have sex?...................................................................9
3. Partnered sexual behaviours................................................................................9
Four basic positions................................................................................................10
Reaching orgasm and the orgasm gap...................................................................10
How do people define having sex?.........................................................................11
Coital imperative.....................................................................................................11
How do homosexual people define having sex?.....................................................11
What is sex?........................................................................................................... 11
The ‘sexual career’ in the Netherlands....................................................................12
Former beliefs about sex........................................................................................12
Why humans have sex............................................................................................12
Why humans have sex: differences between men and women are small...............12
Lecture 3 | Sex and culture: the role of religion and science.............................................13
Lecture 3 | Sex and culture: the role of religion and science.............................................13
1. The traditional Christian view.....................................................................................13
1. The traditional Christian view.....................................................................................13
The traditional Christian view on sexuality..............................................................13
Bonobos do it missionary........................................................................................13
The consequences of the traditional Christian view on sexuality............................14
The traditional Christian view on sexuality..............................................................14
Sexual suppression can lead to erotic art...............................................................14
Sexual suppression can lead to sexual abuse........................................................15
Pope Francis on homosexuality..............................................................................15
Correlation between religion and tolerance of homosexuality -0.78........................15
Religiosity and sexuality..........................................................................................15
Gay conversion therapy or reparative therapy........................................................16
The traditional Christian church splintered, many people are no longer religious....16
, 2. The traditional science view.......................................................................................16
2. The traditional science view.......................................................................................16
Victorian era (1837 - 1901).....................................................................................16
From religion to science, from sinful to unhealthy...................................................16
Anti-masturbation devices.......................................................................................17
John Harvey Kellogg M.D.......................................................................................17
Victorian era: prostitution and porn.........................................................................17
Victorian era: archeological finds in a secret museum............................................17
1870/1880 invention of the vibrator.........................................................................17
Vibrator from massage rod to magic wand..............................................................18
Vibrators in all shapes, sizes and colours...............................................................18
Lecture 4 | Sex and culture: the sociological view, Freud, radical political view................18
Lecture 4 | Sex and culture: the sociological view, Freud, radical political view................18
3. The sociological view.................................................................................................19
3. The sociological view.................................................................................................19
The sociological view..............................................................................................19
Protecting the people: movie inspection.................................................................19
November 1976, the police of Maastricht confiscated the movie Deep Throat........19
Netherlands: Kijkwijzer & United States: MPAA......................................................20
Pornography legislation, censorship in general.......................................................20
Weird laws in the United States: remnants of the sociological view on sexuality....20
Self-censorship.......................................................................................................20
Censorship on Facebook and Instagram................................................................20
Counter movement against censorship...................................................................21
4. The Freudian view.....................................................................................................21
4. The Freudian view.....................................................................................................21
Sigmund Freud.......................................................................................................21
Sometimes repression fails.....................................................................................21
Freudian dream symbols........................................................................................21
Sometimes repression fails.....................................................................................22
The solution lies in sublimation...............................................................................22
5. The radical political view............................................................................................22
5. The radical political view............................................................................................22
The radical political view on sexuality.....................................................................22
Sigmund Freud and Wilhelm Reich.........................................................................22
Wilhelm Reich.........................................................................................................23
The radical political view on sexuality.....................................................................23
6. A simple learning view...............................................................................................23
6. A simple learning view...............................................................................................23
A simple learning model..........................................................................................23
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs...................................................................................23
A simple learning model..........................................................................................24
Alfred Kinsey........................................................................................................... 24
Shere Hite............................................................................................................... 24
, Masters and Johnson.............................................................................................24
Masters and Johnson’s Sexual Response Cycle....................................................25
A simple learning model..........................................................................................25
Sexual behaviour....................................................................................................25
Lecture 5 | Sex and culture: simple learning view, biopsychosocial view, sexology
research............................................................................................................................ 27
Lecture 5 | Sex and culture: simple learning view, biopsychosocial view, sexology
research............................................................................................................................ 27
A simple learning view............................................................................................27
Sexual behaviour....................................................................................................27
Non-experimental research: case-study.................................................................28
Non-experimental research: survey........................................................................28
Non-experimental research: observation................................................................28
Non-experimental research: observation, various additional measurement methods
............................................................................................................................... 29
Experimental research............................................................................................29
Research methods..................................................................................................29
7. A biopsychosocial view..............................................................................................30
7. A biopsychosocial view..............................................................................................30
A biopsychosocial view on sexuality.......................................................................30
The psycho-somatic circle of sex - Bancroft............................................................30
Spontaneous and responsive desire.......................................................................31
Responsive desire ≠ abnormal................................................................................32
Sexual response cycle - extended version..............................................................32
Views on sexuality..................................................................................................32
The psychology of the human body........................................................................33
Sexual response cycle............................................................................................33
Lecture 6 | Psychology of the male physiology, male sexual response cycle....................33
Lecture 6 | Psychology of the male physiology, male sexual response cycle....................33
Psychology of the male physiology.........................................................................33
The psychology of the human body........................................................................34
Sexual response cycle............................................................................................34
Psychology of the male physiology.........................................................................34
Male - external anatomy.........................................................................................34
Global map of male circumcision............................................................................35
Size of the foreskin.................................................................................................35
Male - external anatomy.........................................................................................35
Male - internal anatomy..........................................................................................36
Male sexual response cycle....................................................................................37
Coolidge effect........................................................................................................39
Sperm facts............................................................................................................ 39
Characteristics of the penis.....................................................................................39
Psychology of the penis..........................................................................................39
Penis dimensions....................................................................................................40
Lecture 7 | Psychology of the female physiology...............................................................40
,Lecture 7 | Psychology of the female physiology...............................................................40
Psychology of the female physiology......................................................................40
Women - anatomy of secondary sex characteristics...............................................40
Characteristics of female breasts............................................................................41
Attribute preferences according to women and men...............................................41
Psychology of female breasts.................................................................................41
Obsession with/function of female breasts..............................................................42
Pubic wig seller.......................................................................................................43
Female Genital Mutilation worldwide......................................................................43
Female Genital Mutilation.......................................................................................43
Reasons for Female Genital Mutilation...................................................................44
Characteristics of the vulva and vagina..................................................................45
Psychology of the vulva and vagina........................................................................45
Lecture 8 | Female physiology, female sexual response cycle..........................................45
Lecture 8 | Female physiology, female sexual response cycle..........................................45
Psychology of the vulva and vagina........................................................................45
Female genital cosmetic surgery............................................................................46
Jamie McCartney - the great wall of vagina............................................................46
Body dissatisfaction (in the U.S.)............................................................................46
Female - internal anatomy......................................................................................46
Clitoris..................................................................................................................... 47
Clitoris and penis....................................................................................................47
Female - internal anatomy......................................................................................47
Female fluids as a response to sexual stimulation, sexual arousal and orgasm.....47
Vaginal squirting.....................................................................................................47
Female - internal anatomy......................................................................................48
Hormonal or Copper Intrauterine Device (IUD).......................................................48
Female - internal anatomy......................................................................................48
Female sexual response cycle................................................................................48
Female orgasm.......................................................................................................50
Lecture 9 | Coitus, ovulation, pregnancy, gender..............................................................50
Lecture 9 | Coitus, ovulation, pregnancy, gender..............................................................50
Female orgasm.......................................................................................................50
Sex, masturbation and orgasm - the orgasm gap...................................................51
Male-orgasm imperative.........................................................................................51
Sexual behaviour in the Netherlands......................................................................51
Coitus..................................................................................................................... 51
Coitus - the first time...............................................................................................52
Coitus - duration.....................................................................................................52
Coitus - the consequences - pregnancy..................................................................52
The psychology of ovulation...................................................................................53
Pregnancy.............................................................................................................. 53
Sex [noun].............................................................................................................. 54
Biological ambiguity................................................................................................54
Sex versus gender..................................................................................................55
Gender roles are learned........................................................................................55
, Gender reveal parties.............................................................................................55
Gender roles learned immediately after birth..........................................................56
Gender roles are learned........................................................................................56
Gender stereotypes................................................................................................56
Sexual double standard..........................................................................................56
Gender polarization................................................................................................57
Gender stereotypes and gender roles.....................................................................57
Not always in line....................................................................................................57
Gender, a biopsychosocial construct......................................................................58
Biological sex and gender identity...........................................................................58
Lecture 10 | Sexual orientation..........................................................................................59
Lecture 10 | Sexual orientation..........................................................................................59
Sex and gender......................................................................................................59
Biological sex and gender identity...........................................................................59
Sexual orientation in Dutch population....................................................................59
Sexual orientation...................................................................................................60
Sexual orientation in Dutch population and Dutch youngsters................................60
Homosexuality........................................................................................................60
Prevalence of homosexuality..................................................................................60
Theories of Sexual Orientation...............................................................................61
Sexual orientation and sexual flexibility..................................................................64
Sexual attraction.....................................................................................................64
Attitudes on same-sex behaviour............................................................................64
Origins of sexual prejudice......................................................................................64
Do homophobes secretly have homosexual feelings?............................................65
Can homosexuality be cured?................................................................................65
Is homosexuality socially contagious?....................................................................65
Same-sex marriage in the Netherlands legal since 2001........................................65
Development in attitude towards homo- and bisexuality in the Netherlands...........65
Lecture 11 | Cultural changes...........................................................................................65
Lecture 11 | Cultural changes...........................................................................................65
LGBTQIA+ community............................................................................................65
Same-sex marriage and gender equality in the Netherlands...................................66
Attitudes towards homo- and bisexuality in the Netherlands...................................66
Culture.................................................................................................................... 66
Changes in the second half of the 20th century......................................................66
Sexual ‘revolution’...................................................................................................68
The Netherlands is a multicultural society...............................................................69
Guest workers.........................................................................................................69
Turkish and Moroccan migrants..............................................................................70
Dutch youngsters with a Turkish or Moroccan migration background compared to
Native Dutch youngsters.........................................................................................70
Culture and sexuality..............................................................................................72
Lecture 12 | Pornography, social media, body image........................................................72
Lecture 12 | Pornography, social media, body image........................................................72
1971 Blue Movie and 1973 Turkish Delight (Turks Fruit)........................................72
, 1972/1976 Deep Throat: Start of the “golden age of porn”......................................72
Sex available in video stores..................................................................................73
Sex available on the internet...................................................................................73
Growth of pornography...........................................................................................73
Hard to define pornography....................................................................................73
How do people define pornography?......................................................................73
Pornography versus erotica....................................................................................74
Defining pornography in research...........................................................................74
Who watches porn?................................................................................................74
What does (mainstream hardcore) porn look like?..................................................74
Myths and misconceptions in pornography.............................................................74
Why do people watch porn?...................................................................................75
Female friendly and ethical porn.............................................................................75
Negative attitude towards pornography..................................................................75
Research on (the dangers of) pornography use is difficult......................................75
Positive effects of pornography use?......................................................................76
Negative effects of pornography use?....................................................................76
Findings in research on the dangers of pornography for romantic relationships.....76
Effects of pornography use.....................................................................................76
Imitating role models & vision of ‘perfection............................................................77
Photoshop and dissatisfaction................................................................................77
Preventing negative effects.....................................................................................77
Lecture 1 | Introduction
● Introduction to the course
● What is sex?
● How do people have sex?
Sex as a computer metaphor
- Hardware - biology
- Operating system - evolution
- Software - social environment and culture (including religion)
- Helpdesk - sexologist (can determine whether your problem has e.g. biological,
psychological or relational causes)
- Computers get older…
Sex as a noun
Sex as a noun refers to the biological state of being male or female (assigned male/female
at birth, AMAB/AFAB) and is not always congruent with gender (man, woman, both or
neither). Not every person has a penis or vulva; some have neither or both, or for some it’s
not clear (e.g. intersex). Also, some people with a penis do not identify as male later, and the
same for females (transgender or non-binary).
, Talking about sex feels awkward, yet sex is all around us
Nowadays sex is a bit of a taboo, and it is awkward to talk about. It’s seen in advertisements,
but still hidden, and genitals and female nipples are censored while male nipples are
allowed. Furthermore, pornography is freely available in huge quantities, but it’s still difficult
to talk about sex, your sexual behaviour and sexual fantasies.
Associations with the word sex
Sex is often associated with intimacy, pleasure and love. In the Western world, a lot of
relationships are based on love and monogamous relationships between man and woman.
However, in many cultures, love is not necessarily part of the relationship (e.g. arranged
marriages). Specifically, Dutch youngsters think about sex positively and enjoy sex, with
men being a bit happier than women.
But, what is sex?
It is hard to find a good definition of sex.
Wikipedia: Human sexual activity, human sexual practice or human sexual behavior is the
manner in which humans experience and express their sexuality.
Oxford dictionary: Sex is sexual activity, including specifically sexual intercourse. Sexuality is
sexual activity.
Yourdictionary: Sex is any function or behavior involved with reproduction.
Go Ask Alice: Sex is the birds and the bees. Getting it on.
How do people have sex?
1. Not
Asexuality (versus allosexuality)
Around 1-2% of the population is asexual, which means to have no desire to engage in sex
with a partner, while they may still desire the romantic aspect. In contrast, allosexuality
means to feel desire for sex with a partner. Asexuality is a spectrum, so you can also be
gray-asexual/graysexual, where you do experience sexual attraction but not often or
intensely. A demisexual experiences sexual orientation only after forming an emotional
connection.
Some asexual people masturbate, but non-directed (without erotic thoughts). Sex-favourite
asexual people have sex because they want to and enjoy it, but they are not sexually
attracted to people. Sex-indifferent asexual people feel no sexual attraction, but will still have
sex with their partner if they find that their partner finds sex to be important in a romantic
relationship.
Voluntary celibacy
They do feel sexual attraction but choose not to act on it. Estimates are that around 20% of
the population lives voluntarily celibate (here: not having had sex in the past year).
Nowadays, more youngsters wait to have sex until a later age. Complete voluntary celibacy
is someone who also does not masturbate, while partial means to still masturbate but have
no sexual partner.
Reasons for voluntary celibacy are religion (nuns and priests take a vow of celibacy) or
moral reasons (save sex for marriage or a stable, romantic partner).
