UNIT 2: THE SEXUAL SELF

This unit shall examine the nature of sexual self and the aspects of human sexuality. In addition, the module will provide an
understanding of the basic biology of sexual behavior and the human sexual response. It shall also challenge you to have a
critical analysis of your sexual behavior as it can impact your relationship with yourself and others by examining how
sexualization can have a major impact on how one understands the self.

Sex: refers to the biological characteristics that define humans as female or male.

Gender: A complex interrelationship between an individual’s biological gender, gender identity, and gender expression.

· Biological sex: Refers to the biological anatomy that is assigned at birth and determines whether an individual is male (has a
penis), female (has a vagina), or intersex.

· Cisgender: an individual who’s sexual orientation, gender orientation/expression matches their biological sex assigned at
birth.

· Gender Identity: The sense of “being” a specific gender such as man, woman, genderqueer, agender, etc.

· Gender Expression: The many ways in which an individual manifests femininity, masculinity, neither or both such as
behavior speech, sexualpreferences, clothing, etc.

· Gender Fluid: A person who is able to manifest and adapt to various genders.

· Gender Binary: The belief that there are only two genders: male and female.

· Gender Non-Conforming (GNC): A person whose presentation of their gender does not match the expectations associated
with that gender.

· Gender Normative/ Gender Straight: An individual whose biological sex matches their gender identity and expression. Also
known as cisgender.

· Gender Role: Expectations, rules behaviors, and roles given to males and females by society, such as masculine traits for
males and feminine traits for females.

· Gender Queer: An individual whose identity is outside what is generally accepted as part of the gender binary. They tend to
view the dominant beliefs about sex, gender, and desire determined by society as problematic.

· Gender Variant: A person who does not conform to the gender expectations of society by either choice or nature (e.g.
transgender, transsexual, intersex, gender-queer, cross-dresser, etc.).

· Transgender: An individual who presents themself and lives as a gender that does not corresponds with the sex they were
assigned at birth.

 Transman: A label used by female-to-male transgender or transsexual individuals who indicate that they are male
while still asserting their birth sex.
 Transwoman: A label used by male-to-female transgender or transsexual individuals who indicate that they are
female while still asserting their birth sex.
Sexual Orientation: How one feels drawn to other people in sexual or romantic ways; A person’s romantic, sexual, emotional
or spiritual attraction to others based on gender (This does NOT define their sexual preference).

 Asexual: The low level/ lack of sexual attraction to others and/or the lack of interest/desire for sex and sexual
partners.
 Bisexual: An individual who is sexually, emotionally and/or physically attracted to both men and women.
 Demisexual: An individual who does not feel sexual attraction until they have formed a strong emotional
connection with a partner (usually within a romantic relationship).
 Gay: The term used to describe the emotional, physical, and/ or sexual attraction between members of the same
gender. Usually used to describe identified men who are attracted to other identified men.
 Heterosexual: An individual who is attracted emotionally, physically, and/or sexually to members of the opposite
sex.
 Homosexual: A person who is emotionally, physically, and/or sexually attracted to members of the same sex or
gender.
 Lesbian: A term used to describe identified women who are attracted emotionally, physically, and sexually to other
identified women.
 Metrosexual: A heterosexual man who spends more time, energy and money on his appearance than what is
considered gender normative.
 MSM/WSW: Stands for men “who have sex with men” and “women who have sex with women” in a way of
differentiating sexual behaviors from sexual identities.
 Mx: Alternative prefix for individuals who do not identify with either Mr. or Ms.
 Pansexual: An individual who is attracted physically, emotionally and sexually to all gender identities and
expressions.

Sexual Preference: The types of sexual stimulation, gratification, and intercoursethat an individual likes to receive and
participate in.

Sensuality: the attractiveness, love, relationships, and enjoyment of the world through the five senses

SOGIE is an acronym that is mostly used to understand human sexuality

 S exual
 O rientation
 G ender
 I dentity
 E xpression

OTHER TERMINOLOGIES:

 Fluid(ity): Term used to describe an identity that shifts or changes over time (man and woman, bi and straight, etc.).
 Heteronormativity: The belief by people and/or institutions that everyone is heterosexual and that heterosexuality
is superior to all other sexualities.
 Heterosexism: The behavior that gives preferential treatment to heterosexual individuals.
 Homophobia: The fear, intolerance, resentment, discomfort, or hatred towards members of the LGBTQ community.
 Intersex: An individual who is born with a combination of male and female gonads, hormones, internal sex organs,
and genitals.
 LGBTQ/GSM/DSG: stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgender, and Queer/ Gender Sexual Minorities/ Diverse Genders
and Sexualities.

Important role of an individual’s sex in lifelong development (Hurlock 2001, p.32)

  Increasing societal pressures to develop attitudes and behavior patterns that are considered appropriate for
members of their sex.
 Learning experiences are determined by the individual’s sex.
 Attitude of parents and other significant family members towards individuals based on their sex.

Psychological Counterpart of the Sexual Response Cycle (David Reed)

1. Seduction – equivalent to excitement phase

2. Sensation – equivalent to the plateau phase
3. Surrender – equivalent to the orgasm phase
4. Reflection – equivalent to the resolution phase

THE CIRCLES OF SEXUALITY IS A HOLISTIC MODEL OF SEXUALITY created by Dennis Dailey

1. Sensuality: awareness and feeling about your own body and other people’s bodies, especially the body of a sexual
partner.
2. Sexual Intimacy: ability to be emotionally close to another human being and accept the closeness in return.
3. Sexual Identity: a person’s understanding of who he/she is sexually, including being male or female.
4. Reproduction and Sexual Health: capacity to reproduce and behaviors and attitudes that make sexual relationship
healthy and enjoyable.
5. Sexualization: behaving sexually to influence, manipulate, or control other people.

The Chemistry of Lust, Love, and Attachment

 ■Lust: driven by the sex hormones (testosterone and estrogen)

 ■Attraction: person starts to feel love; neurotransmitters involved (adrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin)
 ■Attachment: bond helping the couple to take their relationship to advanced levels; hormones involved (oxytocin
and vasopressin)

CONSENT 101

1. Sexual consent must be explicit.

2. You can always change your mind.
3. It's good to check in with each other.
4. It's fine to slow things down or stop.
5. Drink and drugs affect consent.