Psych 1100 Pseudohermaphrodites are formed who are
Understanding the Self individuals having accessory reproductive
Module 5 Topic 5 structures that do not “match” their gonads;
The Physical and Sexual Self
Hermaphrodites are individuals who
Overview possess both ovarian and testicular tissues
Physical self-concept is the individual's but this condition is rare in nature.
perception of themselves in areas of physical
ability and appearance. Physical ability Puberty is the period of life when the
includes concepts such as physical strength reproductive organs grow to their adult size
and endurance, while appearance refers to and become functional under the influence of
attractiveness. rising levels of gonadal hormones
(testosterone in males and estrogen in
Sexual self-concept--defined as an females).
individual's evaluation of his or her own
sexual feelings and actions--is proposed as an Diseases Associated with the Reproductive
important predictor of contraceptive behavior System
among teenagers, and a scale measuring the
In Females:
concept is described.
Vaginal infections are more common in
ABSTRACTION
young and elderly women and in those
The gonads (reproductive glands that whose resistance to diseases is low. Vaginal
produce the gametes; testis or ovary) begin to infections that are left untreated may spread
form until about the eighth week of throughout the female reproductive tract and
embryonic development. During the early may cause pelvic inflammatory disease and
stages of human development, the embryonic sterility.
reproductive structures of males and females
Escherichia coli which spread through the
are alike and are said to be in the indifferent
digestive tract; the sexually transmitted
stage.
microorganisms such as syphilis, gonorrhea,
The formation of male or female structures and herpes virus; and yeast (a type of fungus)
depends on the presence of testosterone. The
Painful or abnormal menses may also be
embryonic testes release testosterone, and the
due to infection or hormone imbalance.
formation of the duct system and external
genitalia follows. Female embryos that form
Tumors of the breast and cervix are the
ovaries will cause the development of the
most common reproductive cancers in adult
female ducts and external genitalia since
females.
testosterone hormone is not produced.
Any intervention with the normal pattern of
sex hormone production in the embryo
results in strange abnormalities:
Diseases Associated with the Reproductive Types of Behavior
System
1. Solitary Behavior
In Males:
Self-gratification means self-stimulation that
Common inflammatory conditions are leads to sexual arousal and generally, sexual
prostatitis, urethritis, and epididymitis, all climax; most self-gratification takes place in
of which may follow sexual contacts in private as an end in itself. Self-gratification is
which sexually transmitted disease (STD) most frequent among the unmarried; there
microorganisms are transmitted. are more males who perform acts of self-
gratification than females. It becomes less
Orchiditis, or inflammation of the testes, frequent or is abandoned when socio-sexual
can cause sterility and most commonly activity is available.
follows mumps in an adult male.
2. Sociosexual Behavior
Prostate cancer (a common sequel to
prostatic hypertrophy) is a widespread Heterosexual behavior is the greatest amount
problem in adult males. of sociosexual behavior that occurs between
only one male and one female. It usually
Although aging men show a steady decline in begins in childhood and may be motivated by
testosterone secretion, their reproductive curiosity, such as showing or examining
capability seems unending. genitalia. Physical contact involving necking
or petting is considered as an ingredient of
Erogenous Zones
the learning process. Petting differs from
They refer to parts of the body that are
hugging, kissing, and generalized caresses of
primarily receptive and increase sexual
the clothed body to practice involving
arousal when touched in a sexual manner.
stimulation of the genitals. Coitus, the
Commonly known erogenous zones are the
insertion of the male reproductive structure
mouth, breasts, genitals, and anus; other
into the female reproductive organ, is viewed
common areas of the body that can be
by society quite differently depending upon
aroused easily may include the neck, thighs,
the marital status of the individuals.
abdomen, and feet.
Physiology of Human Sexual Response
Human Sexual Behavior
It is defined as any activity—solitary, 1. Excitement phase. There is increase in
between two persons, or in a group—that pulse and blood pressure, and skin
induces sexual arousal. There are two major temperature. Flushing and swelling of all
factors that determine human sexual distensible body parts are also experienced.
behavior: the inherited sexual response Symptoms of arousal eventually increase to a
patterns that have evolved as a means of near maximal physiological level that leads
ensuring reproduction, and the degree of to the next stage.
restraint or other types of influence exerted
on the individual by society in the expression 2. Plateau phase. It is generally of brief
of his/her sexuality. duration. If stimulation is continued, orgasm
usually occurs.
3. Sexual climax. It is marked by a feeling of Sexually Transmitted Diseases
abrupt, intense pleasure.
These are bacterial, viral, or parasitic
4. Resolution phase. It is the last stage that infections transmitted from an infected
refers to the return to a normal or subnormal person to an uninfected person through
physiologic state. sexual contact.
1. Chlamydia
Nervous System Factors 2. Gonorrhea
The autonomic system is involved in 3. Syphilis
controlling the involuntary responses. The 4. Chancroid
hypothalamus and the limbic system are the 5. Human Papillomavirus
parts of the brain believed to be responsible 6. Herpes Simplex Virus
for regulating the sexual response. The lower 7. Trichomonas Vaginalis
spinal cord leads to erection and ejaculation
for male, and vaginal discharges and Natural and Artificial Methods of
Contraception
lubrication for female when the genital and
perineal areas are stimulated. Natural Method
Sexual Problems The natural family planning methods do not
involve any chemical or foreign body
Physiological problems. Diseases that are introduction into the human body.
due to abnormal development of the genitalia
1. Abstinence
or that part of the neurophysiology
2. Calendar Method
controlling sexual response;
3. Basal Body Temperature
4. Cervical Mucus Method
Psychological problems. Caused by socially
5. Symptothermal Method
induced inhibitions, maladaptive attitudes,
6. Ovulation Detection
ignorance, and sexual myths held by society;
7. Coitus Interruptus
Premature emission of semen is a common
Artificial Methods:
problem, especially for young males;
1. Oral Contraceptives
Erectile impotence is almost always of 2. Transdermal Patch
psychological origin in males under 40; in 3. Vaginal Ring
older males, physical causes are more often 4. Subdermal Implants
involved; 5. Hormonal Injections
6. Intrauterine Device
Ejaculatory impotence, which results from 7. Chemical Barriers
the inability to ejaculate in coitus, is 8. Diaphragm
uncommon and is usually of psychogenic 9. Cervical Cap
origin. 10. Male Condoms
11. Female Condoms
Vaginismus is a strong spasm of the pelvic 12. Surgical Methods
musculature constricting the female
reproductive organ so that penetration is
painful or impossible.
