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Lesson Proper for Week 9

COL001-9- The Physical and Sexual Self

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10:50

The Biological Self

According to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, the biological notion of Self
and non-self defines the characteristics of identity that distinguish individual organisms
from similar kinds.
Three (3) Categories of the Biological Self:
1. Physical self
2. Biological Blueprint
3. Heredity
"Physical Self refers to the body, this marvelous container, and complex, finely
tuned, a machine with which we interface with our environment and fellow beings. The
Physical Self is the concrete dimension, the tangible aspect of the person that can be
directly observed and examined." The Physical Self is categorized into two types:
Physical features - face, body structure, height, weight, and fitness (crucial aspects), and
Physical Components - physical competencies, evaluation of physical worth, and
perception of beauty. "Scientifically, however, this important aspect of our Self seems to
have lost somewhere between the Eastern detachment and Western narcissism, so much
so that sufficient theoretical development on this issue is lacking. However, directly or
indirectly, the discussion on Physical Self has found a place in various schools of
psychology like psychoanalysis, behaviorism, humanism, etc. with some of its most
ardent exponents and followers dealing with the issue in varying proportions." (Singh,
n.d.)
Physical Self-esteem is a person's evaluation of their physical self, including evaluations
of physical appearance and physical competencies, also known as Physical Self - worth.
Physical beauty is the degree to which a person's physical traits are considered pleasing
or beautiful. It is a combination of qualities, such as shape, color, or form, that pleases
the aesthetic senses, especially the sight of people.
Three Qualities of Beauty
Genetics - how we actually look
Health and Grooming- how we take care of ourselves
Positive Self-Regard- how we feel about how we look
"Perception surrounds beauty, and body types not only vary by culture but have
evolved significantly throughout history up until today, in which society' standard of
beauty sets women's ideal body types." (The Physical and Sexual Self.pdf)
The Biological Blueprint is a dynamic biological and chemical process that contributes to
physical features. It is the Physiological processes that trigger bodily changes and
sustain survival. It also shows genetic transformation and biological development
embodied in heredity that triggers physical characteristics.
"DNA is the "genetic blueprint" that determines each organism's genotypic makeup.
In its purest form, DNA consists of two strings of nucleotides, or bases (abbreviated A, C,
G, and T), wound around each other. The bases composing DNA have specific binding
capabilities: A always binds to T, and C always binds to G. These binding capabilities are
useful for scientists to understand since, if the nucleotide sequence of one DNA strand is
determined, the complementary binding allows the sequence of another strand to be
deduced. In the case of humans, DNA is organized into 24 structural units called
chromosomes. Each chromosome consists of compacted coils of DNA. While much of
this DNA has no known function (these stretches of DNA are conveniently referred to as
spacer DNA or junk DNA), a significant portion of the DNA codes for genes. Each gene
provides the information necessary to produce a protein, which is responsible for
carrying out cellular functions. The complement of proteins in an organism is very
important, with diseases often manifesting when a protein does not function properly."
(GENOME PROJECTS: UNCOVERING THE BLUEPRINTS OF BIOLOGY)

Heredity
"It is defined by vocabulary.com that heredity is the biological process responsible
for passing on physical traits from one generation to another. If your mom and dad both
have dreamy blue eyes, and so do you, then you have got hereditary to thank for your
movie-star gaze." (heredity - Dictionary Definition, n.d.)
What is a gene?
"Genes play an important role in determining physical traits - how we look and lots of
other stuff about us. They carry information that makes you who you are and what you
look like: curly or straight hair, long or short legs, even how you might smile or laugh.
Many of these things are passed from one generation to the next in a family by genes.
Each cell in the human body contains about 25,000 to 35,000 genes. Where are these
important genes? Well, they are so small you cannot see them. Genes are found on tiny
spaghetti-like structures called Chromosomes. They come in matching sets of two (or
pairs), and there are hundreds - sometimes thousands - of genes in just one
chromosome. The chromosomes and genes are made of DNA, which is short for
deoxyribonucleic acid." (Nemours KidsHealth, n.d.)
What is Maturation?
"Maturation is the development of the individual through growth processes. It is
controlled by internal biological factors. Maturation means the ordinary development of
growth and aging. It occurs naturally without any conscious effort on the part of the
individual." (What is the meaning of maturation in psychology?, n.d.)
"Sexual maturation is a process that extends from the early embryonic
differentiation of the sexual organs to full maturity of these organs and fertility. Puberty is
a transitional period between childhood and adulthood during which the sex organs and
the reproductive system mature and the growth spurt takes place. Major psychological,
behavioral, cognitive, and emotional changes also occur during puberty." (Beunen, Rogol,
& Mal, 2006)
SEXUAL SELF
This is a part of yourself where you learn and understand your sexual development
and how people's sexual activity, beliefs, misconceptions, and unlimited access from the
internet on sex can influence your sexual behavior and responses.
Sexual Development is a lifelong process that starts at the moment of conception
(Tsiaras, 2016). It is a part of human development.
3 Reasons Why an Individual's Sex Is Important in Life-long Development
1. Develop attitude and behavior patterns
2. Learning Experience
3. Parent's attitudes and significant others

Freud's Psychosexual Stages of Development

The Human Productive System
Sex is not only for reproduction; it helps strengthen relationships, encourages a man
to stick around to take care of his child, and affects not only health but well-being.
(Tsiaras, 2006)
Female Reproductive System
Ovaries - 400,000 eggs
Ovum -100,000 times larger than the sperm cell
X chromosome
Puberty - 8-13 y/o (menarche)
Male Reproductive System
Testes -200M sperm cells
X or Y chromosomes
Puberty - 10-15 y/o
Hormones are constantly active
Human Sexual Response
Androgens, Estrogens, Progesterone
Sexual motivation - refers to the libido, a person's overall sexual drive or desire for
sexual activity.
The Cycles of the Human Sexual Response
1. Excitement (desire/arousal) - a sudden increase in blood pressure, pulse, and
increased blood supply to the surface of the body resulting in increased
temperature
2. Plateau may feel physical and emotional excitement and have physical sensations
of sensitivity, warmth, and even appear flushed.
3. Orgasm - is a feeling of intense pleasure that happens during sexual activity. It's
sometimes called coming or climaxing. (What is an orgasm? , n.d.)
 4. Resolution - the body slowly returns to its normal functioning level and swelled, and
erect body parts return to their previous size and color.
(Sexual Response Cycle: Learn About the Phases of Sex, n.d.)
5 Circles of Sexuality
1. Sensuality - awareness, and feelings about your own body and other people's body.
2. Sexual Intimacy - the ability to be emotionally close to another human being and
accept closeness in return.
3. Sexual Identity - a person's understanding of who he/she is sexual, including the
sense of being male and/or female.
4. Reproduction and Sexual Health - a person's capacity to reproduce and the
behaviors and attitudes that make sexual relationships healthy and enjoyable.
5. Sexualization - aspect of sexuality in which people behave sexually to influence,
manipulate, or control other people - "shadowy" side of human sexuality

The Diversity of Human Sexuality

Gender Bias - means holding stereotyped opinions about people according to their
gender.
Sexual Orientation - an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and sexual attraction
to men, women, or both sexes. It refers to a person's sense of identity based on those
attractions, related behaviors, and membership in a community of others who share
those attractions.
(INTERVIEW: THE LGBT COMMUNITY IN TANZANIA, n.d.) (What Is Sexual Orientation?,
n.d.) (Essentials of Psych DOUBLE Jeopardy Jeopardy Template, n.d.)
The Diversity of Sexual Behavior
Sexual behavior transcends in different forms. It may be influenced by the basic
psychological aspect of sexuality and expectations, attitudes, beliefs, and state of
medical and biological knowledge. Heterosexuality - it is the sexual attraction and
behavior directed to the other sex. More than male-female intercourse, it involves kissing,
petting, caressing, massaging, and other sexual activities.
Homosexuality and Bisexuality
“Homosexuality is a romantic and/or sexual attraction between members of the
same sex.” (Chapter_7_-_Sexual_Self_with_Gender_and_sexuality_(1).pdf, n.d.) Bisexuals
are those who can be romantically or sexually attracted to the same sex and the other
sex. Some male homosexuals prefer the term "gay," and some female homosexuals prefer
the term "Lesbian."
Transsexuality
These are people who believe that they were born with the body of the other
gender. Transsexuals sometimes seek sex-change operations, which undergo several
steps such as intensive sexual counseling, hormone injections, living as a member of
desired sex for several years, surgery.
NATURAL & ARTIFICIAL METHODS OF CONTRACEPTION
Natural Contraception
This is a classification of birth control types that depend on observations on a
woman's body through monitoring and recording different fertility signals during her
menstrual cycle. Though there are different methods, one may predict when a woman will
be more likely to get pregnant. Natural contraceptives may be through abstinence,
calendar method, symptothermal method, ovulation detection, lactation amenorrhea
method, and coitus interrupt us. (Chapter_7_-
_Sexual_Self_with_Gender_and_sexuality_(1).pdf, n.d.)

Artificial Methods
Artificial methods are diverse methods of contraception to prevent a woman's
conception. Artificial contraception depends on the individual's health status, age, sexual
activity, and/or the number of sexual partners. Samples of artificial methods are oral
contraceptives, transdermal patch, vaginal ring, subdermal implants, hormonal injection,
intrauterine device (IUD), chemical barriers, diaphragm and cervical cap, male and female
condoms, etc.
Sexual Disorders
Paraphilia is a frequent, intense, sexually arousing fantasies or behaviors that involve
inanimate objects, children, or non-consenting adults, or suffering or humiliation of
oneself or the partner.
Paraphilic Disorders are paraphilics that cause distress or cause problems functioning
in the person with the paraphilia or that harm or may harm another person. Most
people with paraphilia are men, and many have more than one type of paraphilia. Some
of them also have severe personality disorders, such as antisocial personality disorder
or narcissistic personality disorder. (Paraphilias and Paraphilic Disorders, n.d.) (Brawn,
2019)

Common Paraphilic Disorders

Pedophilic disorder - characterized by recurring, intense sexually arousing fantasies,
urges, or behavior involving children (usually 13 years old or younger).
Voyeurism - involves becoming sexually aroused by watching an unsuspecting person
how is disrobing, naked, or engaged in sexual activity. Voyeuristic behavior involves
acting on voyeuristic urges or fantasies and feeling distressed by or unable to function
because of those urges and fantasies. (Paraphilic Disorders - DSM-5, n.d.)
Transvestism - involves recurrent, intense sexual arousal from cross­dressing.
Transvestic disorder is transvestism that causes significant distress or substantially
interferes with daily functioning.
Exhibitionism - involves exposing the genitals to become sexually excited or having a
strong desire to be observed by other people during sexual activity. Exhibitionistic
urges or fantasies or being distressed by or unable to function because of those urges
and fantasies. (The psychology behind public masturbation and indecent exposure,
2018)
Sexual Masochism - involves acts in which a person experiences sexual excitement
from being humiliated, beaten, bound, or otherwise abused. Sexual masocthat causes
significant distress or substantially interferes with daily functioning.
Sexual Sadism - involves acts in which a person experiences sexual excitement from
inflicting physical or psychological suffering on another person. Sexual sadism disorder
causes significant distress, substantially interferes with daily functioning, harms
another person, or involves someone who has not given consent.

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