The Psychology of Sex - Research Paper Example

The psychology of sex Introduction Sexual relations, sex appeal, sexual partner, – all these concepts have penetrated into our daily lives and inner world of any individual in one way or another is connected with these concepts. A choice of a sex mate with regard to psychological differences of the partners can impress by numerous inconsistencies of this choice. How two absolutely different persons can be happy together? We’ll try to answer this question with regard to exploration of similarities and differences of sexes; views of evolutionary theory on sex differences, gender roles and sex mate choice. The outline of the paper is the following: A) Introduction B) General discussion: 1) Sex differences and sex appeal; 2) Mate choice on biological level; 3) Evolutionary psychology (EP) and sex mate choice; 4) Gender roles from evolutionary theories’ point of view. C) Conclusion. Sex differences and sex appeal Sex differences create biological, psychological and sociological underpinnings of a mate choice. With regard to cultural and social context people create images of their potential mates; they struggle for their chosen mate; people want to be together in spite of any circumstances. On the one hand it is really so. But on the other hand, there are people who don’t want to have a constant mate; they don’t want to get married, to have family obligations etc. What’s the reason for every group of people? Different factors influence our choices of sex mates and our gender differences determine sex mate choice in various manners: thus, biologically we strive for reproduction; psychologically we are looking for spiritual bond and moral support. In order to determine exact mechanisms of sex mate choice, it is necessary to make a research on biological and psychological levels. The first stage of sex mate choice is a subconscious determination of his sex appeal. Generally, sex appeal concerns physical appearance. Moreover, in different historical periods different ideals of sex appeal existed. For example, in ancient time a sexually attractive woman should have a massive body build and flabby breasts (Buss, 1993). Of course, modern society has another imagination of a sexually attractive woman. Current ideal of modern woman is a pole apart to the ancient time ideal: slimness, good-looking face and proportional body build is considered to be necessary features of a sexually attractive modern woman. Male sex appeal has not changed to such a great extent. A sexually attractive man should have a strong body build and a visual masculinity. Mate choice on biological level We choose our mates at first on biological level: we pay attention to our visual perception. But how can we distinguish sexually attractive individuals from not attractive ones? This happens on our subconscious level. Therefore, bisexuals can determine sexually attractive person either among males or females; homosexuals are focused on their potential sex mates (individuals of the same sex). In one way or another but on biological level we choose our sex mate visually at first. At first glance we subconsciously decide for ourselves, whether one or another person is sexually attractive to us or not. Furthermore, having heard a voice of another person and even without seeing him, we may also determine, whether he is sexually attractive to us or not. Olfaction is another way to determine, whether a person is attractive to us or not. As it can be seen, people project their biological perceptions on their subconscious and on psychological level and determine, whether one or another person is a potential sex mate. Psychological determination of a potential sex partner is formed starting from our interest in another person. Evolutionary psychology (EP) and sex mate choice Currently it is relevant to discuss sex differences and mate choice in terms of evolutionary psychology (EP). Relations between men and women are discussed with regard to psychological and behavioral differences. A basic claim of EP is that males and females have different reproductive functions. Reproduction is a starting point, from which a differentiation on genetic, physical and psychological levels occurred. Social differences between males and females are also explained with regard to reproductive differences. EP considers sex differences from biological level to behavioral level. Thus, for example, it is claimed that in case of successful reproduction, genes of more successful predecessors remain among offspring (Scarr, 1997). Consequently, behavioral changes occur because of genes’ changes. The scientists of EP tend to natural philosophy and claim that accidental natural processes with no certain regulation occur with regard to structural, systematic features of world’s species. These researchers explain sex differences by evolutionary changes between males and females. Females are considered as producers of few offspring. They give birth to them; nourish them, thus making an essential contribution into their children. For females their children’s physical health and moral strength, comfortable surrounding, material goods etc are important. Therefore, “successful” woman is a woman who can give birth and bring up viable children. A mate for successful woman should be able to protect and support her and her child. Therefore, a mate in terms of EP theory will be chosen by female if he is endowed with ‘masculine’ features; for example women may pay attention to his white sclera of the eyes, which is an indicator of his good health and good genes; body build is strong and reflects his courage and ability to protect his family. Nevertheless women are more concerned about males who are easy-going in such a way they will be able to bring up their children and their mild disposition character will help to avoid conflicts (Perrett et al., 1998). Moreover women choose elder mates with a certain social status, fixed salary and constant job, those, who will be able to support her and their family for a long period (Buss, 1993). Males in terms of EP are considered to be able to produce as many offspring as possible. They care not about ‘quality’ of their kids, but about ‘quantity’. Males are able to impregnate women and they don’t invest as much in every child as women do. In accordance with EP, males are not concerned about every of their child. They suppose that out of numerous offspring even some of children will be successful. Males are more focused on successful impregnation and not on the result of a brought up child. Males choose their mates, when it is time for them to create a family or simply when they want to have children. Thus, no matter how many mates they have; the main point is a quantity of potential offspring (Geary, 2004). Men's parenting prevents them from dynamical sexual choice. Therefore, evolutionary psychology makes an emphasis on mate’s choice with regard to evolutionary theories, i.e. social, cultural context blended with biological, psychological factors influence human mate choice. With regard to abovementioned features, females choose “masculine” mates with flexible character; those who will care about them and their children. Unlike women, men are more concerned about sex selection and impregnation. EP develops its suggestions on the basis of reproductive issues. Thus reproductive potential of females and males determines their sex differences and influences on mate choice. Psychological and behaviorist patterns are determined in terms of evolutionary theories. Consequently, sex stereotypes, sex differences and mate choice are explained by historically changed traditions and moral norms of the society. Success in terms of EP is also considered differently among females and males. Thus, successful females are females, whose children are well-bred, physically healthy and wealthy. But the role of males for successful women can’t be underestimated too. Successful women choose men who are able to support them and their children. Successful men are those males who have high reproductive potential. They are concerned about numerous children and their attention is paid to impregnation and not to upbringing. Males also invest their reproductive potential in outer sources, such as cattle, money, land etc, – those things that women would have preferred to invest in their children (Geary, 2004). Males with high reproductive potential are preferred by women, because such kind of men is reliable monogamous partners for marriage. Women prefer to invest in their children, but prefer men who invest not only in their children, but also in outer sources. In such a way, women are greatly concerned about monogamous marriages unlike men who are highly attracted by sexually appealing women. Men are driven by their reproductive instincts first of all. Women are driven by instincts directed on family creation. In case a woman lacks reproductive investments from one man in her children, she is looking for these qualities in another partner. Her well-being and wealth of her children may be developed with another partner. Having referred to EP’s explanation of sex differences and mate choice it is clearly seen that this scope of researches demands complements and exploitative additions. The main concern of EP is that females and males don’t have quite different strategies of sex development or mate choice strategy. EP underlines that reproductive potential of men and women is directed on their social development, social roles and success (Looy, 2001). Moreover EP makes an emphasis not on evolutionary theories’ prevalence over cultural or social explanations of sex differences, but on interaction of evolutionary theories with current and previous stereotypes of sex differences and mate choice. Gender roles from evolutionary theories’ point of view Gender roles are the prescribed behavioral and social patterns for women and men. Gender roles are currently discussed from evolutionary theory perspective; social role theory and other psychological and social theories perspectives. Modern scientists tend to claim that gender identity can be formed only on the basis of totally perceived gender role. We’ll focus our attention on evolutionary theory’s considerations about gender roles. In one way or another, but concepts of male and female features are the following: males are financial supporters of the family; the main task of women is to take care of children. Cultural and social context of gender role formation can’t be underestimated too. Thus, Scarr (1997) suggests that every society, race, class etc has its own gender stereotypes. Importance of gender roles is underlined, because their clear determination can explain daily relations between men and women. For example, household duties’ division can be explained with regard to gender roles’ description. In spite of the fact that modern women work as hard as men do, in heterosexual couples women are responsible for household duties. In lesbian couples household duties are shared between partners; gay and heterosexual couples are likely to have one partner responsible for household duties (Sulloway, 1996). Evolutionary theory claims that differentiation of gender roles occurs in case children are born in families. Women are more likely to devote themselves to children then men (Eisenman, 2001). If we combine childcare of women with a burden of work and household duties, we can surely claim that a low marital satisfaction of women occurs in many countries. At this point women are considered to be less protected and to be ‘victims’ of gender roles. Nevertheless men are not always in a more advantageous position than women. Some aspects appear more difficult for them. Males are often required to show their masculinity thus they are made to ‘wear a gender mask’. As a result boys or men who don’t refer to masculine standards may suffer from a low self-esteem (Sulloway, 1996). It is usually considered to be more difficult for men to find a right way for self-realization. Consequently, determination of gender roles, gender stereotypes is a crucial issue for female and male self-esteem, life satisfaction and social performance. Evolutionary theory considers gender roles as stereotypes with social background. Conclusion This research paper discussed the psychology of sex. The main attention was focused on sex differences, mate choice and gender roles’ determination. Gender roles were determined as the prescribed behavioral and social patterns for women and men, and were discussed from evolutionary theory perspective; social role theory and other psychological and social theories perspectives. It is well-known that sex differences create biological, psychological and sociological underpinnings of a mate choice. The representatives of both sexes form the images of their potential mates; they try to get the attention of their chosen mate; people want to be together in spite of any circumstances. Importance of gender roles is emphasized because their clear determination can explain the everyday relations between men and women. On the basis of evolutionary theory, sex differences and gender roles differences between men and women are explained by reproductive function of men and women. Therefore evolutionary psychology is rooted in biological theories and genetics. Behavioral and psychological patterns of males and females are explained with reference to their genes. The achievements of men and women are also assessed differently. Successful men are those males who have high reproductive potential. Males also invest their reproductive potential in outer sources, such as cattle, money, land etc, – those things that women would have preferred to invest in their children. Successful woman is a woman who can give birth and bring up viable children. A mate for successful woman should have been able to protect and support her and her child. The determination of gender roles, gender stereotypes is a central issue for female and male self-respect, life satisfaction and social presentation. Evolutionary theory considers gender roles as stereotypes with social background. Moreover, social and cultural context can’t be underestimated in explanation and determination of sex differences, gender roles and mate choice. Consequently, the psychology of sex is a complicated theoretical and empirical complex of knowledge with a background of biological, social and cultural theories. Works cited 1. Buss, D. M., & Schmitt, D. P. (1993). Sexual strategies theory: An evolutionary perspective on human mating. Psychological Review, 100,204-232. 2. Eisenman, R. (2001). Creativity, Risk Taking Sex Differences, and Birth Order. Journal of Evolutionary Psychology, 189+. 3. Geary, D.C. (2004). Evolution of Human Mate Choice. The Journal of Sex Research, 41 (1), 27+. 4. Looy, H. (2001). Sex Differences: Evolved, Constructed, and Designed. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 29 (4), 301+. 5. Perrett, D.I., Lee, K.J., Penton-Voak, I., Rowland, D., Yoshikawa, S., Burt, D.M., Henzi, S.P., Castles, D.L., & Akamatsu, S. (1998). Effects of sexual dimorphism on facial attractiveness. Nature, 394 (6696), 884-887. 6. Scarr, S. (1997). The development of individual differences in intelligence and personality. In H. W. Reese & M. D. Franzen (Eds.), Biological and neuropsychological mechanisms: Lifespan developmental psychology (pp. 1-22). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. 7. Sulloway, F. J. (1996). Born to rebel: Birth order, family dynamics and creative lives. New York: Pantheon. Read More