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Chapter 1 Terms & Definitions
Human Sexuality: From Cells to Society, 1st Edition
36
Psychology
Undergraduate 2
02/10/2014

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Term
Sexuality
Definition

 A broad term that 

includes many facets of the way 

we experience our lives as sexual 

beings. Sexuality encompasses 

our sexual behaviors, feelings, 

gender identities and roles, 

sexual orientation, and reproduc-

tion. It is infuenced by physical, 

psychological, spiritual and 

cultural factors.

Term
Sexual Health
Definition

The World Health 

Organization defnes sexual 

health as “. . . a state of physical, 

emotional, mental, and social 

well-being related to sexuality . . . 

[that] requires a positive and 

respectful approach to sexuality 

and sexual responses, as well as 

the possibility of having 

pleasurable and safe sexual expe-

riences” (World Health Organiza-

tion, 2006).

Term
Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)
Definition

 An infection that is most 

commonly transmitted through 

sexual contact, such as chla-

mydia, genital herpes, or HIV.

Term
Sexuality Education
Definition

 A broad 

term to describe education 

about human sexuality, which 

may include information about 

physical, emotional, and social 

aspects of sexual health and 

disease; as well as rights and 

responsibilities; identity; values 

and attitudes; and many other 

aspects of sexual behavior.

Term
Developed Country
Definition

 A country 

with fnancial, educational, and 

health standards that allow for 

higher levels of human well-

being, as measured by the 

economic factors, life expec-

tancy, and educational opportu-

nities of the country. Developed 

countries include the United 

States, Canada, Australia, the 

countries of Western Europe, 

Israel, Kuwait, Japan, Hong 

Kong, and others.

Term
Biology
Definition

 The science of life and 

of living organisms.

Term
Sexually Dimorphic
Definition

 An 

anatomical area that has a 

diferent form in males and 

females.

Term
Asexual Reproduction
Definition

 A 

method of reproduction in 

which a single organism 

replicates itself.

Term
Sexual Reproduction
Definition

 The 

creation of new generations by 

the fusion of egg and sperm.

Term
Sociobiology/Evolutionary Psychology
Definition

 The study of how 

evolutionary forces afect our 

behavior.

Term
Natural Selection
Definition

 A process by 

which organisms that are best 

suited to their environment are 

most likely to survive. Traits that 

confer a reproductive advantage 

tend to be passed on, whereas 

maladaptive traits are lost.

Term
Mutation
Definition

 A random change in 

the DNA sequence of a gene.

Term
Ethnocentric
Definition

 The tendency to 

look at the world from the 

perspective of one’s own ethnic 

group or culture, which you 

believe to be superior.

Term
Heterocentric
Definition

 The assumption 

that everyone is heterosexual 

and that heterosexuality is the 

only natural, normal, acceptable, 

and superior sexual orientation.

Term
Androcentric
Definition

 The emphasis of 

the male point of view, often to 

the neglect of the female.

Term
Psychology
Definition

 The science of 

mind, emotions, and behavior.

Term
Libido
Definition

 Sexual 

desire or drive.

Term
Erogenous Zones
Definition

 Areas of the 

body that are particularly 

sensitive to touch, and that may 

lead to sexual arousal when 

stimulated.

Term
Oedipal Complex
Definition

 The idea that 

men unconsciously want to 

eliminate or replace their 

fathers and have sex with their 

mothers.

Term
Electra Complex
Definition

 The psycho-analytic term

used to describe a 

girl’s romantic or sexual feelings 

toward her father.

Term
Id
Definition

 The part of the unconscious 

mind that controls primitive 

drives such as those related to 

sex, food, and aggression.

Term
Ego
Definition

 The part of the psyche that 

mediates the drives of the id 

and superego.

Term
Superego
Definition

 Our sense of 

morality, or conscience.

Term
Operant Conditioning
Definition

 The use 

of reinforcement and punishment

to increase or decrease 

the likelihood of certain 

behaviors.

Term
Behavior Modification
Definition

 The 

psychotherapeutic treatment 

that uses the theory of operant 

conditioning to change 

maladaptive behaviors.

Term
Kama Sutra
Definition

 An ancient Indian 

text, made up of poetry, prose, 

and illustrations, which contains 

practical advice for sexual 

pleasure, love, and marriage.

Term
Folkways
Definition

 Patterns of conventional

behavior within a group.

Term
Mores
Definition

 Social 

norms or customs that embody 

the fundamental values of a 

group. Mores are more strongly 

enforced than folkways.

Term
Laws
Definition

 A written collection of 

enforceable rules that govern a 

community.

Term
Culture
Definition

 The set of attitudes, 

values, goals, and practices that 

is learned and shared by a 

relatively large group of people.

Term
Society
Definition

 A group of people that 

share cultural aspects such as 

language, dress, and norms of 

behavior.

Term
Liminal
Definition

 The threshold 

between two diferent states 

or stages.

Term
Age of Consent
Definition

 The minimum 

age at which a person can be 

considered legally competent 

for consensual sexual relations. 

This age varies from state to 

state, and also may depend on 

other factors.

Term
Media
Definition

 The tools used to deliver 

information; often referred to as 

“mass media” because they are 

designed to reach a very large 

audience.

Term
Evidence-based
Definition

 An approach 

to decision-making that is based 

on data and scientifc studies to 

determine the best practices.

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