Biological Theories Of Individual Sexuality

The topic of sexual orientation is both sensitive and controversial. This is evident in events, such as the Pride Parade, and also in media, where authoritative figures preach against it and speak of its “sinful nature” (Emmanuele, Blanchard, Camperio-Ciani, & Bancroft, 2010). Sexual orientation exists in various forms, it differs in the way it is viewed by different cultures, and researchers propose different perspectives to explain the emergence of an individual 's sexual orientation. In the discourse of sexual orientation,

The predictor for sexual orientation has been debated and analyzed for a long time. Two explanations that have established possible predictors are biological factors and envionrmental factors, more commonly known as the "nature vs. nurture" debate. According to various studies, these factors play a unique role in determining ones sexual orientation. For clarification, sexual orientation as illustrated here is defined as "distinct preferences consistently made after adolescence in the presence of clear alternatives" (King, 226).

There are many factors that define what sexual orientation is. Sexual orientation is connected to a person’s sexual preference whether heterosexual, gay, lesbian, or bisexual. Many homosexuals and heterosexual believe that their sexual orientation is not something they chose, but is naturally who they are (Broderick and Blewit, 2015) There is evidence to suggest that genetics play a role in sexual orientation (Broderick and Blewit, 2015).

Social Learning Theory is a perspective from psychology that was developed to understand the importance of observations and direct instructions that influence gender identity. Professor Susan Golombok at the University of Cambridge and psychology professor Robyn Fivush at Emory College of Art and Science defined Social Learning Theory as a way to study behaviors through differential reinforcement and modeling (Golombok and Fivush, 76). For decades, children were taught to follow specific standards when it comes to gender identity. Girls were encouraged to play with dolls while boys were reinforced to play with cars. Also, children observe adults such as their parents to comprehend and imitate behaviors; consequently, this creates gender stereotypes through differential reinforcement and modeling. Throughout this paper, readers will understand the influence of Social Learning Theory on behaviors and how differential reinforcement and modeling induce gender stereotype.

Sexual relationships and gender are important aspects of life that help form social relationships and an individual’s personal identity. Despite many of the benefits that being able to express one’s sexuality and gender can provide, both aspects of life come with various misconceptions. For example, “We know what causes sexual orientation” is a statement that is not true since scientists do not have an exact cause or evidence to support a cause for sexual preference (American Psychological Association, 2010). Sexual orientation is the gender preferences an individual has when choosing a sexual partner such as an individual identifying themselves as bisexual, homosexual or heterosexual (King, 2016). There has been research that has identified possible factors that may play a role in determining the sexual orientation of an individual such as cultural and biological factors (American Psychological Association, 2010). Additionally, with the discovery of possibilities for sexual orientation there has also been research that has found aspects of person’s life that have no impact on sexual orientation such as how parents reared their children (King, 2016).

The start of human sexuality usually arises when one hits puberty. Puberty occurs in males anywhere between ages 8 and 13 and in females anywhere between ages 9 and 15. Puberty is caused by a minuscule part of the brain known as hypothalamus. This part of the brain releases the hormone gonadotropin, causing sexual changes in the body. These changes consist of the development of your body as well as the desire to have sexual contact with a partner. A partner is usually a boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse, but there are some people that simply find pleasure in hooking up with multiple partners.

The biological theoretical approach has a great influence on a person’s gender identity. Biological factors that shape ones gender are hormones. Hormones may organize a biological predisposition to be masculine or feminine during the prenatal period. The hormones increase during puberty. Sex hormones affect development of the brain as well as the body. For an example, estrogen causes women’s bodies to produce good cholesterol, and boost the immune system. Men have a higher level of testosterone; this has been linked with physical expressions of anger and attempts to

Socialization theories propose that children gain gender differences at young ages by socializing with peers, parents, teachers, siblings, and any other immediate family. These gender differences can range from preferring certain colors over others, playing with certain toys, and anything that could potentially be labeled as male or female (sports, games, careers, etc.). Gender differences can be harmful if children decide to push against them but they can also have no effect. It greatly depends on the child and the environment that the child lives in. For example, if a girl genuinely likes the color pink, participating in ballet, or other things gendered towards girls, then that is not a problem as long as she knows that she can do anything a boy can do too. However, if a girl is raised in a house where she is forced to participate in ballet even though she wants to play soccer, this can cause resentment and can have damaging effects. This essay is looking at two theories of socialization in particular: gender schemas and modeling and imitation. They are both very important in understanding how socialization theories function.

Sexual orientation refers to an individual’s array of sexual, emotional or romantic attractions to men, women or both sexes. Categories of sexual orientation typically have included attraction to members of one’s own sex (gay men or lesbians), attraction to members of the other sex (heterosexuals), and attraction to members of both sexes (bisexuals). While these categories continue to be widely used, research has suggested that sexual orientation does not always appear in such definable categories and instead occurs on a continuum (e.g., Kinsey, Pomeroy, Martin, & Gebhard, 1953; Klein, 1993; Klein, Sepekoff, & Wolff, 1985; Shiveley & DeCecco, 1977) These ranges of behaviors have brought out several controversies, mainly targeted at the LGBT

Human sexuality plays a major role in everyone's life. Regardless, whether we are young or old, man or woman, American or Japanese, it is an integral part of what we do and who we are as a human species. Next to sleeping and eating, it seems that it is one of the most important drives we have to deal with as humans. That is, it takes up so much of our time in thought and behavior that it sometimes seems that every facet of our life revolves around this to a certain extent. Human sexual behavior is different from the sexual behavior of other animals, in that, it seems to be governed by a variety and interplay of different factors. That is, while "lower" animals or species are driven by a "force" to reproduce and therefore partake in sexual

In brief, evidence indicates that being homosexual—that is, "experiencing an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex"—is most often an experience that is discovered, not freely chosen . With the onset of puberty, and its associated hormonal changes, every adolescent boy and girl begins to discover sexual attractions, desires, fantasies and feelings.

One theoretical approach into gender-role identification is the social learning theory. Bandura (1973) pioneered work on gender development. The social learning theory contends that gender roles are heavily determined by environmental factors (Bandura,1986; Bandura and Bussey, 2004; Bussey and Bandura, 1999 in Brannon, L. 2008) and most importantly they are learnt. One way in which children may come to acquire their targeted gender roles is through operant conditioning (in Brannon, L. 2008). Skinner (1970, in Brannon, L. 2008) stressed the importance of reinforcement and punishment in

Facts: Masculine and feminine behavior is not just defined by the fact that we are born male or female - biology. Various cultural and societal influences also have an effect on the manner in which someone behaves. Men and women learn how to conduct themselves based on gender expectations created by society; the expected masculine and feminine characteristics are known as gender roles. According to the text, “General Psychology”, “Gender roles are demonstrated through the actions, general beliefs, and characteristics associated with masculinity and femininity” (426). Learning, cognition and gender schemas, and biology are key aspects in the gender conforming process. Learning styles include observational learning and operant conditioning, whereby gender behavior is learned by watching others of the same sex and by consequences, respectively. Moreover, gender behavior is developed by cognition (applying thought to the observed behaviors) and gender schema (mental guidelines).

The sex of every individual is identified biologically through the chromosomes, which acts as the blueprint that cannot be altered. Males have XY-chromosomes while females have XX-chromosomes. Gender on the other hand, is cultivated, nurtured and constructed by the external environment.

Some people may confuse sexual orientation with gender identity, and vice versa. They often confuse these two terms because they are often unsure of the correct definition. Sexual orientation is sexual and romantically attracted towards a certain sex (American Psychological Association, 2011). This means that a