Sexual Relations and Psychology - Assignment Example

Final Paper on Psychology What is the impact of culture on sexual attitude and sexual abuse? Cultural norms in many cases stipulate sexual attitude and sexual abuse in society. In the countries where sexuality is proclaimed as normal and even necessary aspect of personality, people are more prone to be promiscuous and to have many sexual partners. Whereas in the countries where female purity is honored, women are more likely to wear less sexual clothes and behave in a more reserved way. They will pay special attention to their relationship outside marriage and will aim to have only marital sex. Culturally accepted machismo and male superiority stimulate permissive attitude towards sexual abuse. If male superiority is combined with economical advantage it can lead to imposing man`s power over woman`s. Therefore, sexual violence happens more often in the society where women are deprived of political and economic empowerment (Sexual Assault and Cultural Norms). 2. What is rape? Discuss the categories of rape and the psychological implications of this act of violence. Discuss in detail marital rape. Discuss male rape and the stigma connected with this crime. The definition of the term is different in many countries and time periods. In general, rape is a sexual intercourse initiated against the permission of one of the participants. Rape is considered to be a sexual assault and can involve abuse against the person and physical force against the individual who cannot give consent being disabled, unconscious, or under necessary age. In terms of physiology rape is vaginal, anal or oral forced penetration with any part of a body or an object. There are different types of rape and different classifications of rape. There is division between penetrative and on-penetrative types of rape. It is also possible to distinguish between diminished capacity rape, age-related rape, incest, partner or marital rape, and aggravated rape. This division is stipulated by the different types of victims being involved (Types of Rape). From psychological perspective the motive of the rapist can be explained by anger, power, and sadistic nature. Anger rapists are driven by anger with all women, particular victim or their own life. Power rapists aim to feel control over their victim and impose power. Sadistic rapists are sexually driven by resistance and pain of their victim and their personal power (Sex Offenders). Marital or partner rape presupposes that the perpetrator is the spouse or a partner of the victim. This kind of rape is difficult to detect since the victim and the offender are in official relationships. Marital rape is almost always a part of sexual assault and domestic violence. For a long time the very concept of the marital rape was denied since it was believed that a husband has authority over his wife`s body. In many African countries women are still persuaded that there cannot be such notion as marital rape. Nevertheless, with the feminism wave of 1970s in Europe and the USA, partner rape was proclaimed as a crime by many conventions and can be punished in certain countries. It is considered that psychological trauma from marital rape can be even more serious as the victim in most cases continues living with the rapist (Marital Rape). Male rape is another taboo topic as male victims do not usually claim being raped due to the fear of being accused of homosexuality. Male rapes happen rarely but still involve psychological and physiological traumas (Types of Rape). 3. Pick one paraphilia and use psychodynamic theory, behavioral theory or biological theory to explain its etiology. Voyeurism is a sexual paraphilia that presupposes observing people who are taking their clothes off or getting involved into sexual intercourse. Peeping gives the voyeur sexual excitement which he can release masturbating. He can also receive orgasm due to the “risk of watching”. A voyeur can use such tools as cameras, lens, telescopes, or can hide in special places or follow one and the same victim in different situations. Different voyeurs can concentrate on different parts of body which drive them sexually. From biological perspective voyeurism can be explained as the necessity of men to increase their reproductive opportunity. Artificially (without sexual intercourse) increasing male hormones level men become more productive and more likely to conceive (The Voyeur’s Wife). 4. Define sexual harassment. In your answer include sexual harassment settings (workplace, school) and its effect upon the victim of harassment. Give at least two examples of harassment and what needed or was done with them. Sexual harassment includes verbal or physical behavior of sexual nature, requests for sexual favors, unwelcome sexual advances, and coercion to sexual intercourse, requests for sexual favors in exchange for any benefits, and other verbal or physical activity directed on receiving sexual contact. European Commission differentiates between physical, verbal, and nonverbal sexual harassment (Sexual Harassment). First case of sexual harassment concerned Anita Hill who accused her colleague of using inappropriate language and harassing women he was working with. As Annita did not sue her colleague, the accusations were never proved or disproved. Even President Clinton was accused of sexual harassment towards his colleagues. He was reported to coerce women to oral sex, and in the case of Monika Levinski this led to impeachment (Five Biggest Sexual Harassments) 5. Discuss the psychological and sociological dynamics of the person who becomes a prostitute. Becoming a sexual object deprived of personality will certainly lead to serious psychological and sociological degradation. From the psychological perspective a prostitute starts perceiving herself as an object which can lead to serious depersonalization. Usually women with low self-esteem who were the victims of emotional or physical abuse in childhood become prostitutes. Gradually they get more and more depressed and may develop serious mental disorders unless they accept their role of an object. Sociologically it is difficult to create a universal portrait of a prostitute. Some of them work on the streets and are controlled by mafia. They are usually heavy drug addicts while others have wealthy clients who pay for their luxurious life. Generally a prostitute leads a marginal life which results in her final denial of moral values and norms of society. 6. Discuss the biological-environmental interactive approach to sexual orientation Numerous scientists claim that homosexuality has a biologically stipulated mechanism of appearance. There are assumptions regarding special gene or chromosome responsible for homosexuality. While others prove that same-sex attraction can be the result of certain hormonal deviation that are inherited genetically. There are assumptions that parental influence can be a leading factor in sexuality determining that in gay couples children can be exposed to the wrong example from the beginning. Cultural permissiveness and urbanization in which taboos are diminished are also sometimes regarded as the factors influencing homosexuality inclinations (Shoffaman 34). 7. Evaluate sexual research concerning pornography. Compare and contrast the conclusions of both correlations and experimental studies. Adversaries claim that pornography can ruin relationships, lead to sexual addiction, and encourage sexual violence. Advocates assert that pornography can upgrade sexual experiences, provide with a safe method of outlet, and maybe even diminish the frequency of rape (in Denmark after pornography legitimization the level of sexual aggression has declined significantly). Nevertheless, incredible popularity of porn in the world is indisputable. Different global studies have assessed porn utilization at 50 percent to 99 percent among men, and 30 percent to 86 percent among women. Internet has made pornography accessible, affordable, and anonymous creating serious fix. Numerous individuals think that is a decent thing. Overall attitude towards porn is permissive and positive as most respondents claim that porn is educative. While there is still debate over the thing that porn is addictive, and it distorts the image of a woman and whole relationship (Weir 46). 8. How can a fetish be either normal sex or paraphilia? How can sadomasochism be either a normal sex or paraphilia? Is a transvestite a paraphilia why or why not? Paraphilia according to DSM-IV is a psychiatric disorder that results in distress in others or cause harm, like pedophilia. While fetish is sexual compulsive response to an object such as part of a body or piece of clothes, it does not cause any harm or distress. At the same time if the fetishist violates someone else`s property in order to obtain the desirable object or involves or harms people in unpleasant actions, it can be considered as paraphilia. The same with sadomasochism: when two people voluntarily act like sadist and masochist understanding the limits of their roles it cannot be considered paraphilia. While forcing someone to do something without consent can be considered sadism. Transvestite cannot be considered paraphilia as well as it is rather personal issue of the person who does not accept his/her gender (Understanding Sexual Fetishes and Paraphilias). 9. Discuss the historical, psychological, sociological, and biological perspectives of HIV/AIDS Pandemic. In 1988, 8 years after its discovery AIDS pandemic was proclaimed by the UNO. The spread of the disease which has rooted in Africa reached all the continents. As HIV is transmitted via blood and during sexual intercourse in most cases following its spread is almost impossible to control, and the work of anti-AIDS organizations is directed on its prevention. According to the 2013 research data, today more than 40 mln. people live with HIV, and these are the only official numbers. Scientists forecast that the quantity of people with HIV and AIDS will increase dramatically, as the example China today is one of the biggest HIV infected countries. It is impossible to predict the spread of the disease until an effective medicine is created. Most probably AIDS will reach global pandemic (Cohen et al. 181) 10. Discuss in detail the history of sexual orientation hate crimes and discrimination. In your answer evaluate the question politically, sociologically, and psychologically. Homosexuality was first made public in ancient Greece where it was accepted and widespread. Whereas main world religions, such as Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, regard sodomy as sinful and perverse since it does not result in child birth. Homosexuality attracted public attention in 18-19 centuries and first was proclaimed to be mental disorder or pathology. Though there were no direct laws against homosexuality it was persecuted and treated till the beginning of 1970s since gay rights movement activation. As for now gay marriages are allowed in some European countries while Certain African and Asian nations forbid homosexuality (Background on Gay Rights). 11. Discuss the importance of Sensate Focus Exercise. What sexual dysfunction should couple use this technique. Impotence caused by anxiety is usually treated with the help of Sensate Focus Exercise. The method presupposes developing completely new sensual possibilities by gradual learning about each other bodies. Sensate Focus s is the set exercises during which partners learn to concentrate on the texture, forms, and sensations of the whole body shifting the accent from genitals. It helps to reduce anxiety and cope with impotence (Hasselt & Hersen 350). 12. Sexual addiction was debated whether or not it is real addiction. Using biological perspective and the nurture perspective, make a compelling argument for both perspectives. Sexual addiction is defined as insatiable desire to have sex with more and more partners. The mechanism of addiction is similar to the drugs` addiction- the addict must increase dose gradually in order to get satisfaction. Nevertheless, relieving the pain connected with unbearable emotions such as guilt, anger or anxiety with the help of sex is impossible. Nurture approach presupposes that the child was deprived of mother`s attention in the early childhood and sex gives him/her a dose of self-soothing feeling. Sex serves as a transitory fix which activate the dose of dopamine. Biologically sex addiction can be explained by endocrine system disorders (Cohen). Works Cited Background on Gay Rights. DoSomething Youth Campaign. Retrieved from: https://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/background-gay-rights# Cohen, MS; Hellmann, N; Levy, JA; DeCock, K; Lange, J. "The spread, treatment, and prevention of HIV-1: evolution of a global pandemic". The Journal of Clinical Investigation. 2004 Cohen, F. What Drives a Sex Addict? Psychology Today. Retrieved from: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/love-doc/200910/what-drives-sex-addict Five Biggest Sexual Harassment Cases. LegalZoom. Retrieved from: https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/five-biggest-sexual-harassment-cases Hasselt, V., Vincent B., Hersen, M. Sourcebook of psychological treatment manuals for adult disorders. 2006. Marital Rape. Hidden Hurt. Domestic Abuse Information. Retrieved from: http://www.hiddenhurt.co.uk/marital_rape.html Sexual Assault and Cultural Norms. Stop Violence against Women. Retrieved from: http://www.stopvaw.org/sexual_assault_and_cultural_norms Sex Offenders. Supervision of Sex Offenders in the Community. Overview. Retrieved from: http://www.csom.org/train/supervision/short/01_02_03.html Sexual Harassment. Stop Violence against Women. Retrieved from: http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/svaw/harassment/explore/1whatis.htm Shoffman, M. Homophobic stigma – A community cause. PinkNews.co.uk. 2006. The Voyeur`s Wife. Psychology Today. Retrieved from: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/magnetic-partners/201207/the-voyeurs-wife Types of Rape: the Different Forms of Rape. Healthy Place. America`s Mental Health Chanel. Retrieved from: http://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/rape/types-of-rape-the-different-forms-of-rape/ Understanding Sexual Fetishes or Paraphilias. The Kinsey Institute. Retrieved from: http://kinseyconfidential.org/sexual-fetish-blog-post/ Weir, K. Is pornography addictive? Monitor on Psychology (4). 2014. 46, Read More