Theoretical Perspectives on Sexuality
Social Science Theories Explaining Sexuality
Evolutionary Perspectives
? Sociobiology
– sexual behaviors are result of natural selection in evolution
– gender differences result from sexual selection
? Evolutionary Psychology
– sexual strategies (behaviors) are result of psychological mechanisms and environmental influences
? Criticisms
– By assuming behavioral patterns are genetically controlled, this perspective ignores the importance of culture and learning.
– This perspective assumes that the central function of sex is reproduction, which is false at this point in history.
Psychological Theories
? Psychoanalytic theory
– concepts
? id, ego, superego
? libido, erogenous zones
? psychosexual development (oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital stages)
– limitations & criticisms
? assume females are inferior and female sexuality is inherently passive
? data based on patients seeking therapy
? overemphasize biological determinants of behavior and instincts
? Learning theory
– classical conditioning (US, UR, CS, CR)
– operant conditioning (operant, reward/punishment, immediate/delayed reinforcement)
– behavior modification (aversion therapy)
– social learning (identification, imitation, self-efficacy)
? Social Exchange theory
- reinforcement explains stability and change in relationships
? rewards, costs, comparison level for alternatives, equity
? Cognitive theory
– cognition (perception, labeling, evaluating)
– gender schema (consistent & inconsistent behavior, stereotypes slow to change)
Sociological Perspectives
? 3 basic assumptions
– all societies regulate sexuality
– social institutions affect sexual norms
– “appropriate’ behavior depends on the culture
? levels of analysis
– macro, subcultural, interpersonal, individual
– social institutions: religion, family, education, media
? Symbolic Interaction theory
- meaning or definition of situation, role taking