SOCIO 102 Book Compilation

University of Cebu
Sanciangko St., Cebu City
GENDER AND
SOCIETY
15800 MWF 12:30-1:30 PM
Contents
LESSON 8: GENDER AND SEXUALITY AS A PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUE ...................................... 1
Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 2
Definition of Terms ............................................................................................................... 2
PSYCHOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVE ............................................................................................ 3
PSYCHOLOGY ....................................................................................................................... 3
SOCIOLOGY........................................................................................................................... 4
UNDERSTANDING THE PSYCHOSOCIAL DIMENSION ......................................................... 4
INTIMACY AND RELATIONSHIP ........................................................................................... 5
Well-being as a Psychosocial Goal .......................................................................................... 6
Dimensions of Well-being ...................................................................................................... 7
SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................. 7
LESSON 9: LOVE, INTIMACY AND RELATIONSHIP ................................................................. 8
Chapter III
Psychosocial
Perspectives in
Gender and
Sexuality
LESSON 8:
GENDER AND SEXUALITY
AS A PSYCHOSOCIAL
ISSUE
PSYCHOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVES IN GENDER AND SEXUALITY 1

Introduction
In previous sessions, we learned about the biological dimension of sexuality. We learned
that the human person has biological mechanisms for sexual growth reproduction, and that
depending on sex, these mechanisms differ.
At the beginning of this text book, we also are able to emphasized that the reproductive
mechanisms are interpreted by societies, thereby, creating differentiated social standard for
behavior and expectations.
However, while there are distinct physiological differences, much of the capabilities,
except those involved in reproduction, can actually be performed by either sexes. Both women and
men can perform child-rearing roles. Both can also engage and succeed in the world of work.
Definition of Terms
➢ Psychosocial – a term pertaining to psychological and social factors and the interaction of
these factors.
➢ Psychosocial issues – needs and concerns relating to one or all of the psychosocial
dimensions.
➢ Reproductive role – the social script ascribed to individuals pertaining to their role in
child-bearing or child-rearing and related tasks such as maintaining the household.
➢ Productive role – the social script ascribed to individuals pertaining to their role in
economic production and related tasks such as engaging in public affairs and living in the
world of work.

PSYCHOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVE
➢ The perspective of exploring and understanding human

sexuality in the lens of psychological social process.
➢ It is comprised by two primary aspects: psychological
and social.
➢ Psychological – pertains to anything associated with
mental process and behavior.
➢ Social – pertains to anything associated with human relationships, connection, and
interaction.
The psychological aspect of gender and sexuality anchors itself on the field of psychology.
PSYCHOLOGY
➢ a field of science which concerns itself with how

people think and feel and how thoughts and feelings
interact and lead to behavior.
➢ There are three primary psychological domains:

affect, behavior, and cognition.
Psychological Domains Definition

Affect or the affective domain pertains to people’s emotions and feelings.
Behavior or the behavioral pertains to people’s actions-both observable (overt) or
domain not readily observable (covert).
Cognition or cognitive domain pertains to people’s thought processes such as memory,
perception, and information-processing.

On the other hand, the social aspect of gender and sexuality primarily anchors itself on the field
of sociology and allied fields such as social psychology.
SOCIOLOGY
➢ A field of science which concerns itself with the human person’s realities and
experiences as part of groups and institutions, including the structures and functions of
these institutions, and the dynamics of human relationships within them.
UNDERSTANDING THE PSYCHOSOCIAL DIMENSION
There are many ways through which the

psychosocial dimension of gender and sexuality can
be understood and explained. Our experience of
gender and sexuality is generally a relational
experience. It is relational because while as
individuals, we have our own affect, cognition and
behavior to be aware of, we are also viewing
ourselves in relation to others who also have their
own personal preoccupations. There are some elements of our gendered self which are best viewed
in an ecological context-that is, in the circumstances in our physical and social environment.

➢ Awareness – the front of our experience as gendered beings. In simpler terms
understanding of something.
As individuals, we constantly ask questions like: Who and what am I? What do I like/dislike?
What are my mess? What motivates me? What are my aspirations? In the context of gender and
sexuality, we ask what am I physiologically? Am I happy with what I am? How do I genuinely see
myself! How do I feel about myself as a sexual being? Is there anything good I should do?
But then again, we are not isolated in a vacuum. We are social beings. We live our lives in relation
to others. Hence, as we try to understand ourselves more, we are also in a constant process towards
other-awareness.
INTIMACY AND RELATIONSHIP

When two people recognize and became aware with each other, they either form a human
relationship or not based on how they decide to keep their mutuality. It may be to keep close
distance in each other’s lives, share their personal bubbles, so to speak, and allow frequency of
interaction between them. This process of knowing others and allowing others to know us is
intimacy.
We can also learn from our own experiences and from the lessons taught to us by those
who have come before us. The process by which we learn cultural norms and traditions is referred
to as socialization.

Well-being as a Psychosocial Goal
The ultimate goal of understanding the psychosocial aspects of our experiences is well-being –
state of satisfaction, meaning, and purpose.
There are two sides to well-being.
➢ Objective well-being and;

➢ Subjective well-being.
Objective a kind of well-being which is In the aspect of gender and sexuality here are
well-being observed, outward, and can be some of the questions to ask:
evaluated through the presence or ➢ Does the physical environment allow
absence of particular elements in our
expression of diversity?
environment. (economic development
or living conditions of a person) ➢ Does the physical infrastructure mitigate any
possibility of abuse and violence related to
gender?
➢ Are material resources (money, properties)
equitably available to men, women, and other
people with different genders?
➢ Are these resources sufficient for them?
➢ Are there health systems which cater to
gender-related needs?
➢ Are there wellness programs that support
women, men and people of different genders?
Subjective Another side of well-being is our Some of the question to ask are as follows:
well-being personal experience of satisfaction, ➢ How far is your sense of satisfaction about
meaning, and purpose. In a common the various areas of your life as a sexual
term, the closes word to also mean
being?
subjective well-being is happiness.
(this is how we view and think of our ➢ Is your purpose as a person clear to you and
life. for example, individuals who feel if not yet, what are you doing to clarify this
satisfied with their lives, and who purpose?
frequently experience postive feelings
such as joy, contentment, hope, are
more inclined to be seen as enjoying
a quality of life.)

Dimensions of Well-being
The following are just the primary dimensions of well-

being which we must look into when trying to
understand the psychosocial condition of a person:
Physical– physical/biological health;
Emotional– positive feelings; mood stability;
Mental– clarity of mind; healthy thought process;
Material – available and adequate financial and other

resources; and
Soical– healthy and positive interaction and relationship with others.
SUMMARY
One of the essential elements of our gender and sexuality is the psychosocial dimension.
Aside from upholding human dignity and human rights, one of the ultimate goals of our
discussions of gender and sexuality is to ensure well-being among people of different genders.
Understanding our psychosocial needs and concerns, as well as the various elements of our
psychosocial conditions as humans, is necessary.

LESSON 9:
LOVE, INTIMACY
AND RELATIONSHIP

Introduction
In February 15, 2015, an article featuring a study by McCann World Group, among 30,000
respondents from 29 countries, came out of a national newspaper, bannering the title “Filipinos
most expressive about love among Asia Pacific countries-study” (Hegina 2015). The article
presented an interesting result: The Filipinos say “I love you” approximately 17 times in a week,
making us sixth among the countries in the survey, which are most articulate and expressive.
Robert Sternberg, a psychologist renowned for his theory of love asked, in his 1986 paper:
“What does it mean “to love” someone? Does it always mean the same thing, and if not, in what
ways do loves differ from each other?”
It suggests that the kind of attachment (psychic bond) we have with our primary caregiver/s
– the mother, influence our relationships in later life, including our choice of romantic partners
and the way we relate and operate within this partnership.
Hence, from a psychodynamic view, love can be seen as a manifestation of our eros and
the placement of our libido (life energy) unto an object (a thing or a person towards who we transfer
our psychic energies to ease pain or achieve pleasure)..
Definition of Terms
➢ Love – a complex phenomenon characterized by an affective and cognitive inclination to
someone and a set of social behaviors geared towards cohesion.
➢ Intimacy – the psychosocial component of love; knowing and being known by someone
in a deeply personal level; emotional closeness and connection.

➢ Passion – the emotive and physical component of love; drive towards sexual and romantic
attraction.
➢ Commitment – decision to engage and maintain a loving relationship.
➢ Relationship – social bond between and among individuals manifested through
communication and other forms of interaction. This bond may be biological or determined
by social contracts such as social consensus or laws.
COLOR WHEEL OF LOVE
John Alan Lee (1973), a Canadian psychologist, suggested that there are different types
of love. The primary types are: eros (sexual and romantic), philia (friendly), and storage
(parental/filial love). The secondary types are: pragma (practical love), agape (universal love),
and philautia (self-love).
It is possible for us to experience not just one, but two or more of these types of love in our
lifetime. A child who loves her parents (storage) might eventually find new friends whom to like
once they go to school (philia) and then experience romantic love (eros) especially during her
youth.

TRIANGULAR MODEL OF LOVE
One of the most popular theories of love is the triangular model by Sternberg (1986), a
psychologist. This theory looks at love from a psychometric stance, which means that it is
generally concerned about trying to it love as a psychological variable and in determining the
various dimensions and facets that love has as experienced by people.
According to Sternberg (1986), love has three interlocking dimensions – passion,

intimacy, to the psychological/relational and commitment.
Passion aspect Refers commitment to the physical/emotional pertains

to the aspect.
Intimacy component Pertains that is the choice we make with regards to
engaging and maintaining the loving relationship.
Decision/commitment. Decision/commitment refers, in the short-term, to the
decision that one loves a certain other, and in the long-
term, to one's commitment to maintain that love.
The combination of these dimensions yields a particular love type. When there is only
commitment, there is empty love. However, when there is passion and intimacy, there is romantic
love. When there is passion and commitment, there is ludic love. When there is intimacy and
commitment, there is friendly love. When all three components are presents, then we can say that
consummate love exists.

ROMANTIC AND COMPANIONATE LOVE
Hatfield and Rapson (1978, 1993),
on the other hand, suggests that there are two
general types of love: romantic love and
companionate love.
➢ Romantic love – is characterized
by intense passion- “a state of
intense longing for union with
your partner” (Hatfield and
Rapson 1987, 1993).
➢ Companionate love – is characterized by intense intimacy-emotional closeness-
which is also characteristic of liking.
LOVE LANGUAGES
Gary Chapman, a world-renown author, suggested that people have various ways
through which we give and receive love. He referred to these unique ways as love languages.
Chapman (1995) posited that there are generally five love languages; namely, words of
affirmation, touch, time, gifts, and acts of service.
Words of Touch Time Gifts Act of service

affirmation
People whose Those whose Those whose Those love Those whose
love language is love language is love language is language is gifts, love language is
words of touch, on the time tend to want to show act of service,
affirmation tend other hand, value quality and receive are much willing
to verbally express love moments with affection to serve the
express their non-verbally their loved ones. through material other person by
thoughts and through hugs, They are much objects, helping her or
feelings of love kisses, or, willing to create especially during him in things
towards the simply, a tap on memories with special that they do.
people they love. the back. They occasions.

They may be value proximity the people they
comfortable (nearness) and love.
saying “I love yearns for
you’s” and physical contact
articulating other (not necessarily
words of sexual in nature)
endearment. with their
partners.
LOVE AND INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP

Aristotle refers humans as social animals. This means we survive, thrive and flourish
when we are together such that relating to other humans is not only a sentimental, but also an
evolutionary and practical process.
Social connection is necessary for our growth as individuals. In some cases, it serve as a
foundation for family life, while in other cases it enables us to secure our social position and
provided us humans resources to implement our goals for ourselves and for the greater
community.
In his analysis of close human relationships, George Levinger (1982) postulated that
there are stages that intimate relationships go through: (1) acquaintance, (2) buildup, (3)

continuation or consolidation, (4) deterioration or decline, and (5) ending or termination the
ABCDE of intimate relationships.
Stages
Acquaintance Intimate human relationships start in acquaintanceship. Attraction can
take place in an enabling environment. It can happen when there is
propinquity or proximity-when we are physically closer to one another.
It can happen when there is exposure-when due to proximity, there are
repeated possibilities of interaction. It can also happen when there are
similarity-common preferences, interests, and probably beliefs and
values.
Buildup Some acquaintanceships build up into deeper relationships. Frequency
of interaction increases. Kinds of activities shared become diverse. The
involved parties begin to introduce one another to each other’s friends
and families, thus, making the social network larger and
interconnected. This is the stage when two persons test their
boundaries. They test the waters before engaging fully and so
committedly in the relationship.
Consolidation and This stage is when people commits to a long-term relationship with one
Continuation another, either through a personal agreement (i.e ., exclusivity of
partnership, domestic partnership) or a social-legal agreement (i.e .,
marriage).
Decline or Unfortunately, some intimate partnerships are unable to sustain and
Deterioration maintain their commitments or attraction. For one, there may be a
change in priorities between the individual couple, such that the
conjoint value of the partnership is not anymore sufficient. There may
be infidelity – the breech of loyalty and promises as agreed upon by
both individuals (e.g.,presence of a third-party, extra-marital
affairs).Or, in other, there may be irreconcilable differences – which
are already harming each individual and the partnership as a whole.
Ending Finally, for those intimate partnerships who are unable to address the
causes and circumstances leading to the deterioration of their
relationship, the stages culminate into ending or termination of the
agreements made (either personal or socio-legal) through informal (e.g
., collective decision to end the relationship) or formal (e.g ., marriage
dissolution) means.

SUMMARY
Humans are social beings and at the core of this nature, is relating and connecting with
others. Central to understanding human relationship is the concept of love, an experience so
abstract, yet so meaningful to many people. But then again, love is diversely defined inasmuch as
it manifests and is experienced in diverse ways.
This chapter tackles the various theories which explain love and its types. It also tackles
the stages which people who are in love and in an intimate relationship undertake as they progress
from acquaintanceship to a deeper form of consensual relationship.
Conversely, reasons for deterioration of intimate relationship, as well as its eventual
demise, are also highlighted. By and large, we are all encouraged to reflect about our human
relationships with the goal of forging healthy, successful, and nurturing connections with others.

LESSON 10:
SEX AND SENSES

Introduction
Sensorium is comprised of our 5 senses, namely: sense of sight (visual), sense of smell
(olfaction), sense of hearing (audition), sense of taste (gustation), and lastly sense of
touch/feeling. These senses are used to gather information from the environment, and the
information gathered are interpreted and organized by the brain that makes it into meaningful ideas
that are useful for our choices (called as behavior).
Definition of Terms
➢ Sensorium – the totality of our senses and perception; a conglomerate of the individual
sense organs.
➢ Olfaction – sense of smell.
➢ Tactile – something associated with touch.
➢ Pheromone – a substance believed to be emitted by organisms and which is thought to be
influencing social behaviors.
➢ Major Histocompatibility Complex – a set of protein molecules associated with the
immune system.

HUMAN AFFECT AND THE SENSES
Human beings are hailed as rational beings who constantly make choices and behaves
through a set of rational choices made. It is hypothesized that our affect (emotions and feelings)
plays a major role in our behaviors.
LIMBIC SYSTEM
Affective Primacy Hypothesis (Zajonc 1980)

➢ Postulates that in many cases, cognitive processing (higher order thinking) plays a lesser
role compared to our emotional responses in eliciting behavior. This is processed and
modulated by the limbic system.
➢ Limbic System is the emotional part of our brain which is more primitive compared to
the ones responsible for higher order thinking.

SENSES AND SEXUALITY
Having provided an overview on how humans affect, the sensorium, and the brain’s limbic
system coordinate, we are now ready to discuss how the various senses play in the human sexual
response.
Visual Experience
➢ Humans are predominantly visual. Our societies highly rely on visual culture to co-create
meaning and convey information.
➢ In the context of human sexuality, some studies have explored gender differences in visual
stimuli and sexual arousal.
According to the study of Rupp and Wallen (2007)
• Men respond more to visual sexual stimuli and tend to be influenced by the sex of the
actors in a sexual scenario
• Women were found to be influenced by context, although they, too, are responsive to
the sexual content of visual stimuli.
• Other studies mentioned that both men and women respond more intensely on materials
filmed and chosen by people of similar gender.

Olfactory Experience
➢ Olfaction in non-human animals are believed to be macrosmatic organisms, meaning they
have greater sense of smell. While humans and apes are believed to be microsmatic which
has lesser levels of olfaction. Although humans have limited olfaction, in the field of
human sexuality, sense of smell may still play an important role in our sexual response
According to the study of Muscarella, Arantes, and Koncsol (2011)
• Heterosexual females tend to like wearing floral-sweet but want musky-spicy scent to
be worn by their partners.
• Heterosexual males and homosexual females preferred wearing musky-spicy scent
and liked their partners to wear floral-sweet scent.
• Homosexual males wanted musky-spicy for themselves and their partner.
➢ Scientists have tried to explain how human olfaction influence sexuality. They identified
through possibilities: first, through what is referred to as signature odor (the unique way
that each individual smells) which is associated with the Major Histocompatibility
Complex, a set of proteins signaling our immune system the presence of foreign substances,
and second, through what is referred to as pheromones, substances putatively excreted by
our glands which signals mood and affects social behaviors.
Tactile Experience
➢ Touch is observed to be an element of intimacy. Our body is covered in skin, often referred
to as the largest bodily organ.
➢ As a sensation, touch has some elements.
• Tactile element pertains to the experience relative to the object being felt: Is it rough?
smooth? hard?
• Thermal element: is it warm or cold?
• Vibrational element: is the pressure strong or weak? Is it pulsating or steady?

➢ Different parts of the human body also have different threshold of tactile experience:
primary erogenous zones – mouth, anus, genitals, and nipples; secondary erogenous
zones – back, cheek, neck, and buttocks.
➢ When we touch, our body produces a hormone called oxytocin. Touch is considered to be
one the love languages (hugging, holding, etc.)
Auditory Experience
➢ Sounds give additional context to sexual situations.

• Couples may give verbal erotic encourage – words that triggers sexual response of
affection – words that manifests feeling (I love you, I miss you)

LESSON 11:
SEXUAL
BEHAVIORS

Introduction
What is behavior? In simpler, terms it refers to actions. These are things that we do, both
overt (observable) and covert (not observable by naked eye). Daily, we act because of a motivation
– something that drives us to do something. Some psychologists believe that we behave as a
response to stimuli. Others believe that we do things because we want to achieve pleasure or avoid
pain. Some thinks it’s a goal towards fulfillment. Behavior is interestingly measurable as opposed
to feelings and thoughts – this can be checked by monitoring the frequency, duration, intensity,
and diversity of actions.
Definition of Terms
➢ Sexual behavior – an action with sexual intention and context.
➢ Erotic – related to sexual stimulation; has something to do with erogenous zones.
➢ Sexual response cycle – sequence of events from arousal to orgasm to resolution of
sexual tension.
➢ Sexual dysfunction – a concern or problem in any of the phases of the sexual response
cycle (e.g., inability to have an erection or orgasm, painful intercourse)
➢ Copulatory behavior – related to the insertion of penis to the vagina.
➢ Paraphilia – arousal from nonliving objects or nonconsenting persons.

SEXUAL BEHAVIORS
Sexual behaviors are actions that humans agree to interpret as an expression of their
sexual motivations or intentions.
➢ Generally erotic behaviors such

that they involve any of the
primary or secondary erotic
zones which was mention in the
previous chapter.
➢ Sexual behaviors can be typed
according to the aim of the
behavior. For instance, sexual
behavior such as masturbation
can be considered as auto-erotic (self-directed). Erotic motivations can also be directed by
other people (homoerotic behaviors – oriented to the same sex; heteroerotic – oriented
to the other sex).
➢ For reproductive purposes, copulation is necessary. Humans can assume two positions in
this process. (1) ventral-ventral position, wherein the male and female are facing each
other, (2) ventral-dorsal position, wherein abdomen of the male species is facing the
dorsum of female species, such that insertion of the penis to the vagina is from behind.
➢ There are also other sexual behaviors that does not refer to copulation called non-
copulatory (hugging, kissing, caressing), oral stimulation of the genitals, fellatio for
stimulation of the pennis and cunnilingus for the vagina.

SEXUAL RESPONSE CYCLE
For heterosexual couples, one of the ultimate goals of the sexual act is reproduction. This
is made possible through the fertilization of the ovum by a sperm, which necessitates ejaculation
(release of the sperm) from the human male into the internal reproductive organ system of the
female. Before this process, both male and female go through a sequence of bodily changes which
prepare them for sexual climax, it is referred to as the sexual response cycle.
Master and Johnson’s Model (1966, 1970) proposed the 4 phases in the cycle.
Phases
Excitement First phase in the cycle, the human males’ goal for this phase is erection
(testes and scrotum start to elevate and some parts of the skin reddens. For
the female, the goal of this phase is lubrication (swelling of the glans
clitoris and the labia minora, and sex flushes in breasts and chest. Both
genders heart rate increases during excitement phase.
Plateau Sustained peak in stimulation of the organs. The corona and glans penis
become enlarged and reddish, internally the Cowper’s glands release
lubricating fluid and the testes and scrotum are totally elevated in males.
While for the females, the outer vagina swells and the inner vagina expands
and becomes elongated creating orgasmic platform (tenting).
Orgasm Climax of the sexual response cycle. Males achieve ejaculation and females
are ready to receive sperm for possible fertilization.
Resolution Male penis returns to its normal unerected phase and for the females, the
outer and inner reproductive organs also relax.

Kaplan’s Model (1979)
Phases
Desire Includes sexual thoughts and feeling, which are necessary for a satisfying
sexual experience. Desire does not necessarily translate to action.
Arousal Where excitement takes place. It is the physiological component of the
sexual response wherein bodily changes occur. It does not necessarily
translate to Orgasm.
Orgasm Completion of the sexual response.
SEXUAL RESPONSE DYSFUNCTIONS

Dysfunctions Description Example
Sexual desire disorder When an individual has low Hypoactive sexual desire
levels of desire or has an aversion disorder (HSDD) and sexual
to sexual activities. aversion disorder (SAD)
Sexual arousal disorder When an individual has problems Erectile dysfunction in males
in achieving necessary
physiological state for copulation
Orgasmic disorder When an individual has problems Premature ejaculation among
in achieving orgasm males
Sexual pain disorders When there is an experience of Vaginismus. Vaginal dryness.
pain during sexual response
cycle

PARAPHILIAS
Paraphilia is when an individual gets sexually aroused by an object, person, or a
circumstance that are unusual (e.g., pain-inflicting, humiliating, non-consenting persons). A
paraphilic disorder is when the urge or act lasts for at least six months and is a manifestation of
clinically significant distress.
Exhibitionism A pleasure from exposing one’s genitals to nonconsenting people

Fetishism Arousal from non-living objects (e.g., shoes, socks, feet, hands)
Frotteurism Touching or rubbing one’s body or genitals to nonconsenting
people
Pedophilia Arousal from children (prepubescent)
Sexual masochism Arousal from actual suffering or humiliation
Sexual sadism Arousal from actually inflicting pain to others
Transvestic fetishism (for heterosexual males only) Arousal from wearing clothing by
the opposite sex during sexual activities
Voyeurism Observing other people engaged in sexual activities.

LESSON 12:
STEREOTYPE, PREJUDICES
AND DISCRIMINATION

Introduction
There are 7.7 billion people across 195 countries and every race has their own belief
systems, religion, culture, and tradition. Yet each individual is a unique mix of their own. That is
why appreciating diversity is very important to fully understand that human experience and for us
to coexist peacefully.
However, understanding diversity requires us to broaden our appreciation of the many
facets of the human race and recognize that we have our own stereotypes, prejudice, and
discrimination too.
Definition of Terms
➢ Stereotype - extremely generalized belief about a group of people
➢ Prejudice - unjustified or incorrect attitude towards a person
➢ Discrimination - when stereotypes and prejudice translate into a negative act towards a
person.

STEREOTYPES
➢ Over generalized belief about a particular group or class of people" (Cardwell 1996)
➢ When we meet someone for the first time, we associate with them student characteristics
in the Philippines that we usually based on a group they belong to.
While some stereotypes convey positive examples, most stereotypes, however are drawn
from negative generalizations.
A stereotype can be categorized as "explicit" meaning the person is aware that they have
these thoughts towards a group of people and they can say it out loud, it can also be "implicit"
wherein a person does not know if they have these stereotypes since it light in their subconscious.
Gender Stereotype

PREJUDICE
"Unjustified or incorrect attitude (usually negative) towards an individual based solely on the
individual's membership of a social group" (McLeod 2008)
➢ This negative attitude (prejudice) can be dangerous since it often leads to negative actions
and behaviors.
➢ Example: Sexism, Racsim
DISCRIMINATION
Discrimination refers to actions or behaviors towards an individual or a group of people.
According to the United Nations, "discriminatory behaviors take many forms, but they all involve
some form of exclusion or rejection".
Examples:
➢ Genocide- is the act of recognizing someone as different so much that they are
treated inhumanly and degraded.
➢ Apartheid (means separateness) - is a form of racial discrimination wherein one
race is viewed as less than the other
➢ Gender discrimination - Statistically, women earn less than men and are often
relegated to be solely responsible for child rearing and house chores. Men, on the
other hand, are discriminated in household responsibilities such that they are

perceived as less manly when they do their share of house chores or when they
become stay at home husbands.
➢ LGBT discrimination - happens when LGBT people are treated as lesser than
straight people. Discrimination happens early in their childhood as they get bullied
when they act differently or dress differently than other kids. During adolescence,
they get judged, bullied, or physically assaulted as they explore and express their
sexuality.
FREEDOM AND EQUALITY

Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) states that "all human
beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights." They are endowed with reason and conscience
and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. This monumental document outlines
the fundamental rights of every human being that should be protected by everyone at all times. Its
preamble: "inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human
family is the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world."
While many nations still maintain traditions, policies, concepts, practices, and laws that are
discriminatory, many of them have changed in favor of ensuring that everyone has access to
opportunities and benefits. People of the same sex can now get married and start their own families

while having the same privileges as straight couples in many different countries. In the Philippines,
accessibility ramps for individuals with disabilities are now a legal requirement for all businesses.
Regardless of race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender, or creed, creating a safer and more
inclusive environment for everyone depends on appreciating the variety of the human race.
SUMMARY
Stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination is a sensitive issue for many people since it can
be traced to our history, culture, tradition, and religion.
However, with the Internet and technology, we now live in a world that seems to have no
borders. It is important to create a society that respects the uniqueness of every human being and
uphold everyone's dignity and rights.

LESSON 13:
LGBT PSYCHOLOGY

Introduction
Labels are so powerful it can be used to discriminate and oppress people. Like how the
German Nazi's used the word 'Aryan race' to mean superior and 'Jews' and 'homosexual' justify
their mass murder of what they called as 'inferior' race.
However, labels can also empower people to claim their space in our society, especial in
the political sphere. Language can be used to avoid offense or disadvantage to certain groups of
people like using "persons with disabilities" instead of disabled, African American instead of
blacks', and 'LGBT instead of homosexuals."
Definition of Terms
➢ LGBT Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender- an acronym used to refer to different
genders
➢ Lesbian - women who are emotionally and sexually attracted to women.
➢ Gay-men who are emotionally and sexually attracted to men.
➢ Bisexual - man or woman who are emotionally and sexually attracted to men or women.
➢ Transgender - when your gender identity (how you feel) is different from your physical
sex (male/female).

VIEWS ON LGBT IN HISTORY
Sexual and emotional attraction towards the same sex has been recorded throughout history of
mankind.
➢ In China 600 BCE, they used the terms 'pleasures of the bitten peach and brokeback.
➢ In Japan, they have 'shudo' or 'nanshoku'.
➢ 'Kathoey' is used in Thailand refer to lady boys.
➢ In the Philippines we have the 'babaylan' and the 'catalonan' who were mostly women
priests, but some are males who lived their lives as women.
Society's attitude towards homosexuality and other gender variants changes through history.
➢ In ancient Greek, all males are expected to take on a younger male lover in a practice
called pederasty.
➢ Some societies, like the indigenous Native Americans, accepted and celebrated what
they called 'two-spirited' person in a dance to the 'Berdache.' However, later cultures
see it as a "sin" following the Abrahamic Religion which branded it as sodomy, a
crime against nature.
As these cultures colonized other nations, they used violence, such as the burning, stoning,
or feeding of homosexuals to dogs, to enforce their belief systems that same-sex attraction was a
sin. In the 19th century, they used the notion that homosexuality was a mental ailment as
justification to arrest and institutionalize gays.
The case of Alan Turing, the inventor of modern computing, who was charged with
homosexual conduct in 1952, serves as an illustration of this issue. He received a chemical
castration sentence, and cyanide poisoning ultimately claimed his life.
As science advanced through years of extensive research, the APA removed homosexuality
as a psychiatric disorder or a sickness in 1973. The gay and lesbian liberation movement had been
fighting for many years before this judgment was made. Being attracted to people of the same sex
is a natural variant of the human experience, and it does not detract from anyone's ability to be a
healthy and functioning human being, according to APA's final statement. New terminology and

labels have been introduced to appeal to the LGBT community because society has become more
accepting of it.
ABC’S OF LGBTQIA+
A few letters were added to the LGBT in an effort to increase visibility and inclusivity. The
term "homosexual" no longer accurately captures the diversity within the LGBT community since
it sounds too clinical. Let's try to make it as simple as possible to understand how these labels are
changing. Some of them may be familiar to you, while others may be completely unfamiliar.
Lesbian Women who are emotionally and sexually attracted to women.

Gay men who are emotionally and sexually attracted to men.
Bisexual man or woman who are emotionally and sexually attracted to men or
women.
Transgender when your gender identity (how you feel) is different from your
physical sex (male/female).
Queer used by people who celebrate all gender identities, can also mean
someone who do not want to be restricted as Lesbian, Gay, or Bi.
Intersex people who were born with sex genitals or chromosome patterns that
do not fit the typical male or female body
Asexual/Ally asexual are people who do not feel sexual attraction to anyone but it
does not mean that they do not engage in romantic or sexual
relationship.

Allies are straight or heterosexual people who are fighting for LGBT
rights.
Plus+ the plus sign refers to all sexualities that do not fit in the LGBTQI
spectrum
Other more terms:

Androgynous people whose gender expression (their physical appearance) may
or may not be
distinctly male or female.
Gender your internal sense of being masculine or feminine or neither.
Gender identity how you feel, man, women, or neither.
Gender expression how you express your sense of being male or female or neither,
maybe
through hairstyle, clothes, etc.
Sexual orientation your emotional and sexual attraction to a person.
Sex assigned at birth your given sex when were born based on your sex organs
Cisgender when your gender identity matches with the sex you are assigned
birth.
Non-binary people who do not feel like a boy or a girl; they may feel like
they are both or neither, so sometimes they use the pronouns
they, them, and theirs

UNDERSTANDING TRANSGENDERISM
Society attaches a lot of meanings
to our biological sex or physical sex.
Knowing the biological sex of their baby
causes parents to unintentionally establish
a gender-based pattern for raising their
kids. Pink for girls and blue for boys is a
reflection of our heteronormative culture
wherein we expect females to be feminine and males to be masculine.
This limited view on sexuality makes it harder for those who do not fit in the box of
masculinity and femininity, like the lesbians, gays, and bisexuals. However, it makes it so much
more difficult for the transgender people, those who feel like they were born in the wrong body or
given the wrong biological sex.
WHO IS A TRANSGENDER?
The APA defines transgender as "an umbrella term for persons whose gender identity,
gender expression, or behavior does not conform to that typically associated with the sex to
which they were assigned at birth."
The word transgender is also used as an umbrella term, this means that there are many identities
under this term:
➢ Transexual - referring to or designating a transgender individual, particularly one who
has undergone gender reassignment surgery.
➢ Hormonal replacement therapy or sex reassignment surgery - The body is more closely
matched to a person's gender identification thanks to this hormone therapy.

Other sexualities under the transgender umbrella term includes:
➢ FTM-female to male, a person whose biological sex is female and has transitioned to living
his life as a male;
➢ MTF-male to female, a person whose biological sex is male and has transitioned to living
her life as a female;
➢ Crossdressing-some people want to dress as the opposite gender from time to time,
however, unlike the transsexual, they are comfortable identifying with their biological sex;
➢ Drag kings and queens - these are people who dress as the opposite gender for
entertainment which they do out of passion or for work; and
➢ Gender queer- these are people who feel like their gender does not fit the gender binary
view that is limited to the male or female category because they feel that these are too
restrictive.
KaladKaren Davila- A transgender TV Personality/ Impersonator

THE TRANSITIONING PROCESS
When a person realizes that he or she may be a transgender, a psychologist can guide the
person through the transition especially when a person wants to go through permanent changes
like sex reassignment surgery.
Transitioning to another gender is a very challenging process for many transgender people
because of the social stigma, discrimination, medical cost, accessibility of medical treatment and
support, oppressive laws in each country, and the threat of violence from prejudiced people.
Transgender people may legally change their gender from male to female or female to male
in some nations. The LGBTQ+ community and the transgender community worked together for
decades to get this recognition. Philippines currently lacks the medical facilities and legal
framework necessary to enable transgender people in reaching their full potential.
The proper use of pronouns, he or she, should be observed when talking to a transgender
person to show respect as a decent human being.
SUMMARY
Labels are important especially in the acceptance and promotion of human rights. The
evolution of the terms used to describe people who are emotionally and sexually attracted to the
same sex have evolved through time. From homosexuality, to gay, and to LGBTQIA+, let us
remember that we are all humans, born free and equal.

LESSON 14:
MEN AND
MASCULINITIES

Introduction
Since 1970s, studies on different aspects of manhood (from men in the labor market to men
in the family and violent men, etc.) were made and increased dramatically in 20th century. A
growing body of literature theorizing men and masculinities focuses on a variety of topics
including men's violence, fatherhood, pornography, men's crimes, female masculinity, male
feminity, etc.
These studies arose despite the clear dominance of men over global economic and political
power. Worldwide, men holds 94% of cabinet-level posts in 1996 and most top positions in
international agencies (Gierycz 1999).
The rise of the women's liberation movement and many feminism that have followed on
from it produced a massive disturbance in the gender system and people's assumptions about
gender.
Large numbers of men now acknowledge that their position is underchallenge, that what
they once took for granted about must be re-thought, making men's studies and masculinity became
popular.

Definition of Terms
➢ Masculinities - a social, cultural and historical construction of men dependent on and
related to other factors such as class, ethnicity, sexuality, age, and disability.
➢ Hegemonic Masculinity - form of masculinity which is culturally dominant in a given
setting.
➢ Protest Masculinity - form of masculinity which is culturally dominant in a marginalized
setting.
➢ Caring Masculinity - proposes that men are able to adopt what is viewed as traditionally
feminine characteristics.

MEN’S RIGHTS LOBBY
One of the main founding texts

of this lobby is by Warren Farrell.
According to him in his work The Myth
of Male Power: Why are Men the
Disposable Sex? "Men are now the
gender victims as a result of feminism
having gone too far with men having
increased responsibilities but few
rights around issues of marriage,
divorce, child custody and access to
children".
Modern legislation is seen to be overprotective of women's interest resulting in
discrimination against men at a time when they are under increasing threat within a rapidly
changing society.
MASCULINITY THEMES
Masculinity is a social, cultural, and historical construct dependent on and related to other factors
such as class, ethnicity, sexuality, age, and disability.
Multiple Masculinity
Accordingly, there is no one pattern of masculinity that
is found everywhere.
Different cultures and different periods of history,
construct, masculinity differently. Some
Cultures make heroes of soldiers and regard violence as the
ultimate test or masculinity. Others cultures look at soldiering
with disdain and regard violence contemptible. This only

shows that masculinities cannot be delimited to a sole definition or description as various countries,
culture and levels in life view this concept differently.
Hierarchy and Hegemony

The form of masculinity which is culturally dominant in a given setting was called
"hegemonic masculinity". "Hegemonic" signifies a position of cultural authority and leadership
but not total dominance as other forms of masculinity persist alongside. Hegemonic masculinity
embodies popular heroes, role models, and fictional characters.
According to Kimmel (1997), hegemonic masculinity: "Contains within it the image of the
'man' in power, a man with power and a man of power. We equate manhood with being strong,
successful, capable, reliable, in control. The very definitions of manhood we have developed in
our culture maintains the power that some men have over other men and that men have over
women.”
Men who received the benefits of patriarchy without enacting a strong version of masculine
dominance could be regarded as showing a complicit masculinity.
Collective Masculinity
Gender structures of a society define particular patterns of conduct of individuals as either
"masculine" or "feminine". These patterns also exist at the collective level-in institutions, such as
corporations, armies, governments, and even schools. Masculinities are also defined collectively
in the workplace and in informal groups like street gangs.

MASCULINITIES AND WELL-BEING
Men are unlikely to talk

about their worries and more likely
to drink and engage other
destructive behaviors when stressed.
These findings echo the evidence in
the literature that conforming to
stoic and rigid notions of
masculinity contributes to suicidal
behavior and depression (Möller-Leimkühler 2003; Emslie et al. 2006).
Culturally dominant forms of masculinity, which often urge men to practice strict
emotional control, serve as barriers to health-and help-seeking behavior, or encourage some men
to engage in practices detrimental to their own health and that of their families.
FAMILY FORMATION, FATHERING, CAREGIVING, AND
DOMESTIC ROLES
Domestic roles are closely

associated with women as carrying them
out can involve a loss of face for men.
Great deal was heard about increases in
women's labor force participation in
recent decades but less about men's
caregiving and domestic roles.
Research shows that men are, on

average, not greatly increasing their role in household work and unpaid care (Barker and Pawlak

20i). Least do they know, men are missing out in not engaging more in their domestic and family
roles. It has been shown that being involved in the lives of their children brings psychological and
health benefits to men (Dykstra and Keizer 2009). Research on child development demonstrates
lasting benefits to children of their fathers' involvement, in terms of their confidence and school
performance (Ruhm 2000; Sarkadi et al. Bremberg 2008).
MASCULINITIES AND ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE
More men drink than women; and men drink more than women (Room et al. 2002). In
many settings, men's drinking encourages solidarity and stimulates courage. It is a key peer group
ritual as well as being a recreational activity (Coombs & Globetti, 1986).
When men become drunk, fights and homicides are rationalized (Pange, 1998), and women
encouraged to tolerate men's drunkenness as a natural part of their being men (Caetano, 1984).
Drug use and drug dealing can serve as ways of constructing a powerfully masculine identity
(Collision 1996).

PROTEST MASCULINITIES
Protest Masculinity is a form of marginalized masculinity which picks up themes of

hegemonic masculinity in the society at large but reworks them in a context of poverty (Connel
2005). In other words, it is akin to hegemonic masculinity but in socially-deprived contexts.
Protest masculinity refers to describe instances of extreme forms of sex-typed behavior on

the part of some males. Protest masculinity is often a product of narcissism built from deep feelings
of powerlessness and insecurity. Connell compares it to a "tense, freaky façade, making a claim to
power where there are no real resources for power" (Connell 1995).
CARING MASCULINITY
The concept of a caring masculinity

proposes that men are able to adopt what is
view traditionally feminine characteristics
(i.e., emotional expression, sensitivity,
domesticate interdependence, caring, etc.)
without departing from or rejecting
masculinity (2015; Miller 2011).
Caring masculinities can be seen as

masculine identities that exclude domination and embrace the affective, relational, emotional, and
interdependent qualities of care; a critical form of men’s engagement in gender equality because
doing care work requires men to resist hegemonic masculinity and to adopt values and
characteristics of care that are unethical to hegemonic masculinity (Elliot 2016).

SUMMARY
Masculinity and men's studies have been continuously developing from its inception and
up to present. These studies covered common themes of masculinities, different kinds of
masculinities such as hegemonic, protest, and caring masculinities and the relationship of these
masculinities to various aspects of life and the environment.

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University of Cebu

Sanciangko St., Cebu City

PSYCHOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVES IN GENDER AND SEXUALITY 1

In previous sessions, we learned about the biological dimension of sexuality. We learned

depending on sex, these mechanisms differ.

behavior and expectations.

child-bearing or child-rearing and related tasks such as maintaining the household.

PSYCHOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVES IN GENDER AND SEXUALITY 2

➢ The perspective of exploring and understanding human

➢ a field of science which concerns itself with how

➢ There are three primary psychological domains:

Psychological Domains Definition

PSYCHOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVES IN GENDER AND SEXUALITY 3

UNDERSTANDING THE PSYCHOSOCIAL DIMENSION

There are many ways through which the

PSYCHOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVES IN GENDER AND SEXUALITY 4

INTIMACY AND RELATIONSHIP

PSYCHOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVES IN GENDER AND SEXUALITY 5

There are two sides to well-being.

➢ Objective well-being and;

PSYCHOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVES IN GENDER AND SEXUALITY 6

The following are just the primary dimensions of well-

Physical– physical/biological health;

Emotional– positive feelings; mood stability;

Mental– clarity of mind; healthy thought process;

Material – available and adequate financial and other

Soical– healthy and positive interaction and relationship with others.

psychosocial conditions as humans, is necessary.

PSYCHOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVES IN GENDER AND SEXUALITY 7

PSYCHOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVES IN GENDER AND SEXUALITY 8

ways do loves differ from each other?”

and the way we relate and operate within this partnership.

our psychic energies to ease pain or achieve pleasure)..

➢ Love – a complex phenomenon characterized by an affective and cognitive inclination to

someone and a set of social behaviors geared towards cohesion.

in a deeply personal level; emotional closeness and connection.

PSYCHOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVES IN GENDER AND SEXUALITY 9

➢ Commitment – decision to engage and maintain a loving relationship.

➢ Relationship – social bond between and among individuals manifested through

by social contracts such as social consensus or laws.

COLOR WHEEL OF LOVE

PSYCHOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVES IN GENDER AND SEXUALITY 10

According to Sternberg (1986), love has three interlocking dimensions – passion,

Passion aspect Refers commitment to the physical/emotional pertains

PSYCHOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVES IN GENDER AND SEXUALITY 11

Words of Touch Time Gifts Act of service

PSYCHOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVES IN GENDER AND SEXUALITY 12

LOVE AND INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP

PSYCHOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVES IN GENDER AND SEXUALITY 13

PSYCHOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVES IN GENDER AND SEXUALITY 14

others. Central to understanding human relationship is the concept of love, an experience so

it manifests and is experienced in diverse ways.

from acquaintanceship to a deeper form of consensual relationship.

Conversely, reasons for deterioration of intimate relationship, as well as its eventual

PSYCHOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVES IN GENDER AND SEXUALITY 15

PSYCHOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVES IN GENDER AND SEXUALITY 16

that are useful for our choices (called as behavior).

➢ Olfaction – sense of smell.