CHAPTER 6

THE SEXUAL SELF

PREPARED BY:
RODEL D. HALIM RPM; MA
PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY
 LEARNING OUTCOMES

• At the end of the chapter, students should be able to:

• Explain the development of sex characteristics and the human
reproductive system.
• Distinguish between attraction, love, and attachment.
• Explain sexual orientation and identity.
• Identify the causes and consequences of sexually transmitted
infections and early pregnancy.
• Reflect on the importance of contraception.
 THE SEXUAL SELF

• A vital aspect of one's identity encompassing biological,

physical, emotional, and social domains.
• It is initially rooted in the distinguishing physical attributes
found in men (penis) and women (vagina).
• Bodily transformations and developmental of secondary sexual
characteristics during adolescence would eventually trigger
physiological responses.
• Readings to beliefs and behaviors associated with sex.
 SEXUALITY

• Commonly defined as “the ways people experience and

express themselves as sexual beings.”
• According to WHO, Is a central aspect of being human
throughout life encompasses sex, gender identities, roles,
sexual orientation, eroticism, pleasure, intimacy, and
reproduction.
• It is experienced and expressed in thoughts, fantasies, desires,
beliefs, attitudes, values, behaviors, practices, roles, and
relationships.
 THE BIOLOGICAL OF SEX

• ASSIGNED SEX
• Is a label that you are given at birth based on medical factors,
including your hormones, chromosomes, and genitals.
• Most people are assigned male or female.
• Some people call the sex we are assigned at birth “Biological
Sex.” But this term does not fully capture the complex
biological, anatomical, and chromosomal variations that can
occur.
• Instead of saying “biological sex”, some people use the phrase
“Assigned male at birth” or “Assigned female at birth.”
• The assignment of biological sex may or may not align with
what is going on with a person's body, how they feel, or how
they identify.
• The factors that determine our assigned sex begin as early as
fertilization.
• Each sperm cell has either an X or a Y chromosome in it. All
egg cell have an X chromosome.
• When the sperm cell fertilizes an egg cell, its X or Y
chromosome combines with the X chromosome of the egg cell.
• A person with XX chromosomes usually has Female sex and
reproductive organs, and is therefore usually assigned
biologically female.
• A person with XY chromosomes usually has Male sex and
reproductive organs, and is therefore usually assigned
biologically male.
 DEVELOPMENT OF SEX CHARACTERISTICS

• The beginning of adolescence is marked by rapid physical

changes, including the maturation of the reproductive system
and the development of primary and secondary sex
characteristics.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 PRIMARY SEX CHARACTERISTICS
• Are those that are present at birth and are determined by
chromosomes.
• These are the characteristics that distinguish male from female.
• In females, the primary sex characteristics includes:
• Vagina
• Uterus
• Ovaries
• In males, the primary sex characteristics includes:
• Penis
• Testes/Testicle
• Scrotum
• Prostate Gland
 SECONDARY SEX CHARACTERISTICS

• Appear during puberty.

• These characteristics are not used in sexual reproduction, but
are important for attracting a mate.
• In females, the secondary sex characteristics includes:
• Onset of menstruation
• Enlargement of the breast
• Widening of the hips
• Enlargement of the buttocks
• Growth of pubic hair
• In males, the secondary sex characteristics includes:
• Testicular growth
• Sperm cell production
• Appearance of facial, pubic, and other body hair
• Deepening of voice
 SEXUAL IDENTITY & GENDER ORIENTATION

• SEXUAL IDENTITY
• Refers to “the complex personal qualities, self-perceptions,
attitudes, values, and preferences that guide one's sexual
behavior.”
• SEXUAL ORIENTATION
• Refers to “a component of sexuality and is characterized by
enduring emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction to a
particular gender.”
 3 MAIN SEXUAL ORIENTATION
• HOMOSEXUALITY
• Which involves attraction to someone of the same sex.
• HETEROSEXUALITY
• Which involves attraction to someone of the opposite sex.
• BISEXUALITY
• Which involves attraction to members of either sex.
• In the acronym LGBT which stands for Lesbian, Gays,
Bisexual, and Transgender; “LGB” pertains to sexual
orientation. The “T” in LGBT, which stands for Transgender
or gender non-conforming, pertains to gender identity.
• A transgender is different from transexual. A Transexual is one
who transitions from one sex to another through undergoing
surgical procedures.
 EROGENOUS ZONES
• Are the surface areas of the body that, when stimulated,
produce erotic or sexual sensations and reactions. These
sensations are a “hard-wired” part of the human nervous
system that responds to stimulation, even when that contact is
unwanted or forced.
• The erogenous zones of the human body includes:
• Mouth/Lips
• Ears
• Back of the neck
• Breast/Nipples
• Genitals
• Anus
• Lower back of the body
• Navel
 SEXUAL RESPONSE CYCLE

• Masters and Johnson identified four stages of a sexual response

cycle in their ground-breaking research.
• Although these stages are similar in both men and women,
there are some differences.
• Also, the transition between the stages is not necessarily as well
defined as the descriptions of the stages might seem to
describe, and the length of time spent in any one phase can vary
from experience to experience and person to person.
 PHASES OF SEXUAL RESPONSE CYCLE

• DESIRE/EXCITEMENT PHASE
• Is the beginning of sexual arousal and can last from one minute
to several hours. DURING THIS PHASE:
– pulse rate increases
– blood pressure rises
– breathing quickens
– the skin shows a rosy flush particularly on the chest and breast areas
– the nipples harden in both men and women
• In men:
– the penis becomes erect
– the skin of the scrotum thickens
– the testes increase in size
• In women:
– the clitoris swells
– the lips of the vagina open and its inside becomes wet in preparation
for sexual intercourse
• PLATEAU PHASE
• In men:
– the penis becomes more erect
– the circumference of its head increases
– few drops of liquid are released
• In women:
– the outer part of the vagina swells with the surge of increased amounts
of blood to that area
– the clitoris retracts under the clitoral hood but remains highly
sensitive
– the outer lips of the vagina becomes redder in color
– breathing becomes more rapid
– heart rate increases
– body temperature rises
– blood pressure increases
• ORGASMIC PHASE
• In men:
– contractions of the muscles in and around the penis stimulate the
release of the semen which contains the sperm cell
– Men usually achieve one intense orgasm during sexual intercourse.
• In women:
– orgasm involves the contraction of the pelvic muscles that surrounds
the vaginal wall and can happen multiple times
• RESOLUTION PHASE
• In men:
– the erection is lost
– the testes decrease in size
– the skin of the scrotum thins again
• In women:
– the clitoris retracts
– the color of the vaginal lips returns to normal
– the lips of the vagina close once more
– the blood that congested the blood vessels in the various areas of the
genitals recedes
– the heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing al reduce to normal
 LOVE AND SEX
• This topic will focus on attitude about sex particularly the
relationship of love and sex.
• Under certain circumstances, for some people, sex without love
may be enjoyable in its own right. However, in reality a great
deal depends on the individuals involved, especially their value
systems.
• It is worth emphasizing that love can enrich sex, especially in a
long-term relationship like marriage.
• The affection and commitment two people enjoy in their
relationship can enhance their overall pleasure
• compensating somewhat for the loss of sensual excitement that
can occur after years in a committed relationship.
• In contrast, couples that have sex mechanically, especially
when one or both partners have little or no affection for the
other, soon discover that sex itself is no longer satisfying.
• ROMANTIC LOVE
• Which consists of intimacy or emotional closeness and passion
which may lead to satisfying sex at least for a while although
the satisfaction may soon diminish as romantic ardor cools.
• COMPANIONATE LOVE
• Based primarily on intimacy or emotional closeness and
commitment.
• CONSUMMATE LOVE
• Characterized by intimacy, passion, and commitment between
partners.
 THE CONSEQUENCE OF SEXUAL CHOICE

• SEXUAL INTERCOURSE
• Also known as copulation and coitus; is the reproductive act
wherein the male organ or penis enters the female reproductive
organ or vagina.
• CONSEQUENCES OF SEXUAL INTERCOURSE
• Early pregnancy
– risk of miscarriage
– emotional stress
– health risks to both mother and infant
 – dropping out of school
– alienation
• Risk of acquiring sexually-transmitted diseases
– Gonorrhea - is a common sexually transmitted bacterial infection that
sometimes produces a cloudy, smelly discharge and a burning
sensation upon urination.
– Chlamydia - a bacterium that is spread by sexual contact and that
affects both males and females
– HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) - a virus that can be
transmitted by anal, oral, or vaginal sex with infected person, through
breast milk during childbirth, and contact with blood with HIV.
 FAMILY PLANNING & CONTRACEPTION

• FAMILY PLANNING
• According to WHO: Is an opportunity of people to attain their
desired number of children and determine the spacing of
pregnancies. It is achieved through use of contraceptive
methods and the treatment of infertility.
• According to DOH: Having the desired number of children of
the couple and when they want to have them by using safe and
effective modern methods.
• CONTRACEPTION
• Is the deliberate use of artificial methods or other techniques to
prevent pregnancy as a consequence of sexual intercourse.
 MAJOR FORMS OF ARTIFICIAL FAMILY PLANNING
METHOD
• Barrier method (condom)
• Contraceptive pills
• Injectibles
• Intra Uterine Device (IUD)
• Male or Female Sterilization
 MAJOR FORMS OF NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING
METHOD
• Abstinence
• Calendar method
• Basal Body Temperature
• Cervical Mucus method
• Ovulation Detection method
• Lactation Amenorrhea method
 BENEFITS OF USING FAMILY PLANNING AND
CONTRACEPTION
• Allows women to put off having children until their bodies are
fully able to support a pregnancy.
• Prevent pregnancy for older women who face pregnancy-
related risks.
• It reduces the need for abortion by preventing unwanted
pregnancies.
• It reduces teenage pregnancies.
• Can prevent closely spaced and ill-timed pregnancies and
births.
• It reduces the risk of unintended pregnancies among women