INSTITUTION : UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI

COLLEGE : HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

SCHOOL. :FACULTY OF ARTS

DEPARTMENT :DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY

COURSES : INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY

TASK. : ASSIGNMENT

TOPIC :THE PSYCHOLOGY OF HUMAN SEXUALITY

INSTRUCTOR. : HANIEL GATUMU

STUDENT NAME : NZOMO ELIJAH MUTUA

REGISTRATION NUMBER. : C01/0266/2019

SUBMISSION DATE :20th AUGUST 2020

ABSTRACT

Sexuality is one of the fundamental drives behind everyones feelings,thoughts,and behaviours,It defines
the means of biological reproduction describes psychological and sosiolical representation ofself and
orients a persons attraction to others.Here am going to review and explain all details about sex which
includes biological factors leading to sex,sex ormones,sex response cycle,sexual
disinfections,psychologial and cultural influences on sexual moderation and sexual orientation.

INTRODUCTION

Sex is biological determined based on chromosomes, hormones gonards,internal reproductive anatomy

and external genitalia.Sex refers to psychological differences between male and female and intersex
bodies.In humans sex is determined by five factors present at
birth:chromosomes,gonards,hormones,internal reproductive anatomy and external genitalia.

THE BIOLOGY OF SEX

A person’s sex includes both primary sex characteristics (those related to the reproductive system and
secondary sex characteristics (those unrelated to the reproductive system such as breastand facial
hair).In human biological sex is determined at birth, typically by doctors, through the observance of five
factors which includes;

1.the presence or absence of a Y-chromosome

2.the type of gonads

3.the sex hormones

4.the external reproductive anatomy (such as uterus in females)

5.the external genitalia

In humans sex is typically divided into male, female and intersex.Intersex in humans and other animals is
a variation in sex characteristics including chromosomes,gonads or genitals that does not allow any
individual to be distinctly identified as male or female.Such variation may involve genital ambiguity
and/or combinations of chromosomes other than XY(typically found in males)and XX (typically found in
females).In addition to the most common XX and XY chromosomal sexes,there are several other possible
combinations known as intersex such as Tuner Syndrome (XO) Triple X syndrome (XXX), Klinefelter
syndrome (XXY),de la chapelle Syndrome (XXmale) and Dwyer syndrome (XYfemale).

THE SEXUAL RESPONSE CYCLE

Sexual motivation,often referred to as libido,is a person’s overall sexual drive or desire for sexual
activity.This motivation is determined by biological, psychological and social factors.In most mammalian
species,sex hormones control the ability to engage in sexual behaviour,how ever sex hormones do not
derectly regulate the ability to copulate in primates (including humans),rather they are only one
influence on the motivation to engage in sexual behaviours.Social factors such as work and family have
impact as do internal psychological factors like personality and stress.Sex drive may also be affected by
medical conditions, medications, lifestyle stress, pregnancy and relationship issues.

The sexual response cycle is a model that describes the physiological responses that take place during
sexual activity.According to William Masters and Virginia Johnson,the cycle consists of four phases;

(a) Excitement
(b) Plateau
(c) Orgasm
(d) Resolution

The excitement phase is the phase in which the intrinsic (inner) motivation to pursue sex arises.

The plateau phase sets the stage for orgasm

Orgasm 8s tha release of tension and the resolution period is the unaroused state before the cycle
begins again.

THE BRAIN AND SEX

The brain is the structure that translates the serve impulses from the skin into pleasurable sensations.It
controls nerves and muscles used during sexual behaviour which are believed to be the psychological
origin of sexual desire.The cerebral cortex ,which is the outer layer of the brain that allows for thinking
and reasoning ,is believed to be the origin of sexual thoughts and beneath the cortex is the limbic system
which consists of the amygdala, hippocampus,Cingulate gyrus and septal area.These structures are
where emotions and feelings are believed to originate and are important for sexual behaviour.

The hypothalamus is the most important part of the brain for sexual functioning.This is a small area at
the base of the brain consisting of several groups of nerve cells bodies that receive input from the limbic
system.One of the reasons for the importance of hypothalamus is its relation to pituitary gland which
secretes the hormones that are produced in the hypothalamus.

HORMONES

Several important sexual hormones are secreted by the pituitary gland;

(a) Oxytocin also known as the 'hormone of love' is released during sexual intercourse when an
orgasm is achieved.Oxytocin is also released in females when they give birth and during
breastfeeding.It is believed that oxytocin is involved with maintaining close
relationships.Both prolactin and oxytocin stimulate milk production in females.
(b) Follicle stimulating hormone is responsible for ovulation in females by triggering egg
maturity;it also stimulates sperm production in males.
(c) Luteinising hormone triggers the release of a mature egg in females during the process of
ovulation.
In males testosterone appears to be a major contributing factor to sexual motivation Vasopressin is
involved in the male arousal phase and the increase of vasopressin during erectile response may directly
be associated with increased motivation to engage in sexual behaviour.

The relationship between hormones and female sexual motivation is not well understood largely due to
the overemphasis on make sexuality in Western research.Estrogen and progesterone typically regulate
motivation to engage in sexual behaviour for females with estrogen increasing motivation and
progesterone decreasing it.The levels of these hormones rise and fall throughout a woman's menstrual
cycle.Research suggest that testosterone, oxytocin and vasopressin are also implicated in female sexual
motivation in similar ways as they are in male,but more research is needed to understand these
relationships.

SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION AND DISEASES

Biological,emotional and sociocultural factors can influence various sexual issues such as disease and
dysfunction.

Human sexuality refers to people’s sexual interest in and attraction to others and the capacity to have
erotic or sexual feelings and sexuality has biological, emotional and sociocultural aspects all of which can
influence various sexual disorders and diseases.

Sexual disorders

The World Health Organisation International Classification of Disease defines sexual problems as the
various ways in which an individual is unable to participate in a sexual relationship as he or she would
wish.Sexual disorders according to the 5th edition of the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual (DSM-5) are disturbances in sexual desire and psycho-physiological changes that
characterizes the sexual response cycle and cause marked distress and interpersonal difficulty.

Sexual problems are often categorised in one of the following ways

● Desire disorders
● Arousal disorders
● Orgasmic disorders
● Sexual pain disorders.

Sexual desire/Decreased libido

This type of disorders are characterized by lack of desire for sexual activity or of sexual fantasies.The
condition may have started after a period of normal sexual functioning or the person may always have
had low or no sexual desire.The causes vary considerably but include a possible decrease in the
production of normal estrogen in females or testosterone in men and women.Other ways may include
aging , fatigue, hormone imbalance, pregnancy, postpartum depressions, medications or psychiatric
conditions such as depression and anxiety.Classfying the lack of sexual desire as a disorder is considered
by some to be controversial because it pathologies those who are asexual.

Sexual arousal disorders

This types of disorders were previously known as frigidity in women and impotence in me though these
have now been replaced with less judgemental terms such as erectile dysfunction.These conditions can
manifest themselves as an eversion to and avoidance of sexual contact with partner.In males there may
be partial or complete failure to attain or maintain an erection or a lack of sexual excitement and
pleasure in sexual activity.There may be medical causes to these disorders such as decreased blood flow
or lack of vaginal lubrication.Chronic disease can also contribute as can a history of trauma and the
nature of the relationship between the partners.

Orgasm disorders

These are persistent delays or absence of orgasm following a normal sexual excitement phase.The
disorder can have physical, psychological or pharmacological origins SSRI antidepressants are a common
pharmaceutical culprit,as they can delay orgasm or eliminate it entirely.

Sexual pain disorders

These kind of disorders affect women almost exclusively,raising the question of possible societal
influences.In the DSM-5,the conditions of dyspareunia and vaginismus were combined into the new
diagnosis of genito- pelvic pain/penetration disorder.Dyspareunia,or painful intercourse,may be caused
by insufficient lubrication (vaginal dryness)in females.Poor lubrication may result from insufficient
excitement and stimulation;hormonal changes caused by menopause, pregnancy or breastfeeding;
irritation from contraceptive creams and foams;or fear anxiety or post sexual trauma.

Vaginismus

This is an involuntary spasm of the muscles of the vaginal wall that interferes with intercourse.It is
unclear what causes it,but it is thought that past sexual trauma may play a role.

Vulvodynia/vulvar vestibulitis

In this condition,women experience burning pain during sex,which seems to be related to problems with
the skin in the vulvar and vaginal areas.

EXAMINING THE CAUSES OF SEXUAL DISORDERS

There are many factors that may result in a person experiencing a sexual dysfunction.Some of these
factors are;

1. Emotional factors-this includes interpersonal/psychological problems and can result from

depression, anxiety,past sexual trauma, sexual fears or guilty.Ordinary anxiousness can cause
erectile dysfunction without psychiatric problems,but clinically diagnosable disorders such as
panic disorder commonly cause avoidance of intercourse and premature ejaculations.Pain during
intercourse is often correlated with anxiety disorders among females.
2. Physical factors-this includes the use of drugs such as alcohol, narcotics, stimulants,
antihypertensive, antihistamines and some psychotherapeutic drugs.Other factors include beck
injuries, enlarged prostate gland, problem with blood supply and nerve damage.Diseases such as
diabetic neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, tumors and tertiary syphilis may also have an impact,and
can failure of various organ systems such as (the heart and lungs), endocrine disorders (thyroid,
pituitary or adrenal gland problems),an a hormonal deficiencies (low testosterone,other
androgens,or estrogen.)
Sexually Transmitted Infections/General Diseases

These are illnesses that have a significant probability of transmission by means of sexual behaviour,
including vaginal intercourse,anal sex and oral sex.Some STIs can also be contracted by sharing
intravenous drug needles with infected person as well as through childbirth or breastfeeding.Common
STIs includes;

● Chlamydia
● Herpes(HSV-1 and HSV-2)
● Human papillomavirus(HPV)
● Gonorrhea
● Syphilis
● Trichomoniasis
● HIV

The most effective way to prevent the transmission of STIs is to practice safe sex and avoid direct contact
skin or fluids which can lead to transfer with an infected person.Proper use of safe-sex supplies (such as
male condoms, female condoms, gloves or dental dams) reduces contact and risk and can be effective in
limiting exposure; however.some disease transmission may occur even with barriers.

PSYCHOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL INFLUENCES ABOUT SEXUAL MODERATION

Attitudes to sex and the perceived role of sexuality activity are very stongly influenced by cultural
values.Culturaly determined gender roles influence relationships between different sex partners and
cultural values affect atitudes towards sexual variation.Culture define what is deviant and from where
help is sought.Through differing patterns of child bearing cultures also affect individuals cognitive
development world views and explanatory models of emotional distress.

Although epidemiological data on prevalence of sexual dysfunction across cultures are scanty,it is likely
that prevalences vary as will pathways into care and patterns of help seeking.

CONCLUSION

Considering the amount of attention gpeople give to topic of sex its surpisngly how litle most acctually
know about it.Historically pople beliefs about sexuality ave emerged as having absolute
moral,pysical,and psychological boundaries.The truth is,sex is ess oncrete than most people
assume.Gender and sexual orientatin for example are not either instead are continuums.Simlarly sexual
fantasies and behaviors vary greatly by individual and culture.

REFERENCES

American Psychiatric Association[2013],Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Disorders[5th

ed.].Washington DC :AUTHOR

Dulko,S. and Imielinska,C[2004].The epidemiology of transsexualism in Poland Journal of Psychosomatic

Research,56,637

Frankowski,B.L.[2004].Sexual orientation and adolescents.Pediatrics,113,1827-1832

Freud,S.[1905/2000].Three essays on the theory of sexuality.New York:Basic Books.