PSYCHOLOGICAL

DEVELOPMENT
HUMAN SEXUALITY

HUMAN SEXUALTIY
I. THREE DIMENSION OF HUMAN SEXUALITY
a. Biological Dimension
b. Social Dimension
c. Psychological Dimension

II. INFLUENCES ON HUMAN SEXUALITY

a. Reproductive Processes
b. Hormones
c. Neural Mechanism
d. Experience
e. Culture

What is HUMAN SEXUALITY?

Encompassing the sexual knowledge,
beliefs,attitudes,values and behaviors of individuals.
Sexuality -means many things: feelings about
ourselves, roles we play in the society and reproduction.
According to FREUD- SEXUALITY is a major act of all
human existence.

THREE DIMENSIONS OF HUMAN SEXUALITY

BIOLOGICAL DIMENSION
includes bodily structures and processes
Structures of the sex
organs

Workings of the
nervous system

Involves physical appearances, especially the

development of physical sexual characteristics:
our responses to sexual stimulation: our ability
to reproduce or control fertility: and our growth
development in general.

SOCIAL DIMENSION
Refers to what humans have defined as
sexual
and the way in which sexuality has
been conducted across cultures

PSYCHOLOGICAL DIMENSION
considers the individuals unique personal
style of psychological processes in the
forms of thinking and perceiving.

CULTURAL DIMENSIONS
sum of the cultural influences that affects
our thoughts and actions, both historical
and contemporary.
EXAMPLE
Chinese women whose beliefs and
experiences reflect traditional norms
limiting gender equality may be at
increased risk of being subjected to
intimate partner violence.

INFLUENCES ON HUMAN SEXUALITY

REPRODUCTIVE PROCESSES
Functions of Male Reproductive system
a. Manufacture male sex hormones
b. Manufacture sperm cells
c. Transport sperms to the female reproductive system
Functions of Female Reproductive system
a. Manufacture female sex hormones
b. Produce egg cells
c. Transport the egg cell through the reproductive system to the
point of fertilization
d. Transport fertilized egg cell
e. Maintain the fertilized egg cell until it reaches the fetus stage.
f. Deliver the fetus through the process of birth

HORMONES
InFemale
estrogen and progesterone-sex hormones
manufactured by ovaries sex hormones

In Male
androgens- these are group of hormones

NEURAL MECHANISM
controls human sexual behavior- spinal cord and the
hypothalamus
SPINAL CORD-erection, pelvic movement and ejaculation
in the male
HYPOTHALAMUS- regulation of sexual arousal
and more complex sexual behaviors

EXPERIENCE
Has little influence in mating behavior because this
appears to be innate. Sexual behavior develops from
infancy.
EXAMPLE
first feeling of trust and affection through a warm and
loving relationship with the mother.

CULTURE
sum of the cultural influences that affects our thoughts
and actions, both historical and contemporary.
influenced by the customs and values of society and
may differ over time within the same society
EXAMPLE
Chinese women whose beliefs and experiences reflect
traditional norms limiting gender equality may be at
increased risk of being subjected to intimate partner
violence.

CULTURE
Some sexual behavior strongly influenced by culture:
Incest- sexual relation within the immediate family
Pedophilia- sexual relation with children
Masturbation- sexual organ manipulation or sexual
fantasy
Premarital sex- sexual relation before marriage
Extramarital sex- sexual relation outside of marriage
Transsexualism male feeling that he is born in the
wrong body