sexuality
TOPIC QUESTION: Discuss the key differences between an essentialist and social constructionist explanation of sexuality.Specified word limit margin: Between 1800 – 2200 words Referencing by Harvard Author/Date system. Explaining human behaviour has fascinated and intrigued theorists of Science, Psychology, Philosophy and Sociology for centuries. Unraveling the mysteries surrounding human behaviour have instigated research and study from a broad range of disciplines associated with health and human sciences. Explanations or theories offered by science, psychology and sociology have produced varied perspectives on human behaviour. Comparisons between disciplines highlight the stark differences that each angle of observation can produce. As theoretical disciplines observe human behaviour and attempt to explain it, some notable contradictions and incompatibilities can emerge between theorists. The nature verses nurture debate has been a long standing source of tension between scientifically inclined theorists and socially inclined theorists (Jureidini & Poole 2000:14). Arguments about which factors are responsible for human behaviour emanate some highly cont
The term sexuality, is described by The Penguin Dictionary of Sociology (Abercrombie et al. 2000:313) as ‘the mode by which sexual interests and sexual preferences are expressed’. Sexuality is described by biologist David Buss, (Myers 2001) as the instinctive and innate behavioural tendencies that increase the likelyhood of sending ones genes into future offspring. Sexuality is not ones sex, which is simply ones physiological and anatomical characteristics of maleness or femaleness (Marieb 2001). Also, sexuality is not ones gender, which is the socially learned characteristics or roles of maleness or femaleness (Poole & Jureidini 2000). These such terms, sex and gender, imply the differences between men and women physiologically and characteristically. Sexuality is not sex or gender, although sexuality is somewhat entertwined with the two. Sexuality is sexual behaviour. The ‘behaviour related to copulation and similar activities’(Oakley, 1985 p.99: as cited in Zajdow 2002:63). Sexuality is the whole area of actions and thoughts surrounding ‘achieving and having sexual relations’(Pinker 1997). The behaviours one exhibits when attracting a partner, the interactions with other humans in a sexual manner, and actual sexual activities, are all components of sexuality (Vida 1996). Micheal, Robert., Gagnon, John., Laumann, Edward., Kolata, Gina. (1994) Who are our sex partners? In Sex in America: A definitive Survey. pp. 42-9. Boston: Little, Brown & Co. Sociobiologists ascertain that men have an innate attraction to fertile women. Implying that men will look for a healthily loyal women of a childbearing nature. They also suggest that men have a need to be paternal, so they will inevitably display jealousy and rage when this paternity is threatended, perhaps from advances by other men towards his partner, or infidelity by his partner. Women on the other hand are instinctively attracted to a male that can provide for her and the children she will have, wealth and physical ability are attractive characteristics (Zajdow 2002). Sociologists do have notable evidence to suggest that sexuality is learned. Sociobiologists have maintained all sexuality is innate and instinctive, but sociology suggests otherwise. Studies among animal primates show that by isolating young apes from observing sexual behaviour, they then fail to exhibit normal sexual behaviour, if followed by remedial socialisation (being able to observe other apes sexuality)the previously isolated ape will then develop his/her sexuality and sexual behaviour to an almost normal level(Jureidini & Poole 2001: 367).
Some topics in this essay:
Jureidini Poole,
Poole Jureidini,
Minidictionary Biology1988185,
Sex Gender,
Human Genome,
Social Constructionist,
Philosophy Sociology,
Science Sociology,
Contradictable Darwinian,
Gagnon Simon,
sexual behaviour,
jureidini poole,
zajdow 2002,
darwinian theory,
human behaviour,
behavioural tendencies,
jureidini poole 2002,
vida 1996,
sex gender,
sexuality sexual,
species survival,
sexuality sexual behaviour,
jureidini poole 2000,
behavioural tendencies characteristics,
et al 2000,
Join now to see the rest of the essay!
Approximate Word count = 3037
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page double spaced)
More Essays on sexuality Professional Papers: |
CUSTOMER SERVICES
|
|
Saved Papers
You haven't saved any papers.
|