About Human Sexuality

Understanding Human Sexuality

Human sexuality is defined as the way people express, demonstrate, and engage in sex. The ambiguous but broad phrase refers not only to the behaviors that people engage in with others as sexual beings, but also to the accompanying physical, social, emotional, biological, physical, and erotic experiences (Carroll, 2014).

Factors Influencing Sexuality

Several variables can influence a person’s sexuality, including sexual orientation, physical factors that dictate how the reproductive organs work and behave, and emotional ties that manifest physically. The social characteristics, culture, moral, ethical, and philosophical features that one experiences as they mature also impact sexual expression, resulting in the distinctive and distinct form of each person’s sexual expression. Although there is a general consensus that sexuality becomes heightened soon after puberty, the origins of some characteristics of sexual expression, such as sexual orientation, have been extensively debated. For instance, there are some that propose that homosexuals are born as such, while some contend that it is a result of the environment in which they were immersed. A discussion of the psychological and scientific aspects of sexual expression will indicate the impact that they have on human sexuality.

Psychological Perspectives on Sexual Expression

Psychology offers a variety of explanations that explain the sources of the traits that constitute one’s sexual expressions. According to this field, sex is a primary part of development which is defined by the characteristics of the physical environment in which a person is immersed (Thompson & McHugh, 2009). While genes and physiological activities predispose a person to sex, how they approach the act, the feelings that compel them to engage in sex or the manner in which they attract their sexual partner is moderated by the attitude that they have formed on the behavior. For instance, a person who grows up in a family or with peers who regard sex with reverence or where expression is relegated to occur within relationships is more likely to rarely engage in sex, or only do so in the confines of marriage. On the other hand, an environment where sexual promiscuity is modelled will bring up individuals of a similar character who frequently engage in sexual acts. According to psychologists like Sigmund Freud, sexual drive in humans is a natural instinct, and as such they are driven to act in the manner that will most likely result in gratification (Thompson & McHugh, 2009). As for the differences in sexual orientation or preferences, psychology previously categorized the tabooed behavior as a mental illness but now categorized the behavior as a matter of personal choice, which occurs as a sum of biological and environmental choices (Thompson & McHugh, 2009). Psychology additionally credits some sexual behaviors to the occurrence of trauma or difficulties that prevent an individual from engaging and enjoying sexual activities. Common causes include stress, anxiety or depression that may sometime result in pain, lack or arousal or desire to engage in sex. When suffering from these three conditions, a person will typically not be interested in having sex, and as such no sexual expression will be exhibited.

Scientific Insights into Human Sexuality

According to science, human sexuality is tethered to the reproductive system, how these organs react to stimulation and the factors that make one stimulus more effective than another. In addition to the organs, sexual expression also occurs due to the action of the hormones and neurotransmitters such as estrogen, testosterone, prolactin, oxytocin, vasopressin, luteinizing hormone and the follicle-stimulating hormone that trigger and sustain human sexual response cycle, which start at excitement and end with orgasm (Carroll, 2014). The higher the quantity of these hormones in one’s body, the more sexually active they become. Conversely, their decrease alter the need of one to engage in sex, as it commonly occurs as a person gets older. The differences between the anatomy of males and females in science is deemed necessary for reproduction. Scientifically, there has yet to be evidence indicating that characteristics that define sexual orientation, such as homosexuality, heterosexuality, asexuality or bisexuality are innate or biologically ingrained in an individual (Carroll, 2014). The fact that sexual orientation is largely associated to the connotations that one has towards a certain gender or a source of identity further disproves that one is born as gay, lesbian or bi. Although the evidence collected has been inconclusive or negligible, there are a few studies that have established that the presence of some genetic factors might predispose a person towards some sexual attractions and behaviors. For instance, empirical surveys have established that women who have inactive X chromosomes will give birth to gay sons. There are also experiments that have indicated that exposure to some forms of prenatal hormones affects the brain structure and cognitive processing that alters sexual preferences in men from female to male (Carroll, 2014). All in all, science indicates that human sexuality is a result of the quantity of the hormones and neurotransmitters that are present in a human body.

Exploring Sexual Expression from Psychological and Scientific Perspectives

Overall, psychology and science offer differing explanations for the origin of sexual expression. Science designates the formation of human sexuality to the organs, hormones and neurotransmitters that prompt a person to engage in sex. Psychology acknowledges the presence of sexual drive in humans from birth, but attributed their expression to the attitudes, beliefs and values that an environment will impress onto an individual. While none of the two aspects offer a comprehensive solution, they provide insight into how sexual expression develops.

References

Carroll, J. L. (2014). Sexuality Now: Embracing Diversity (4th ed.).

Thompson, P., & McHugh, D. (2009). Gender, Sexuality and Organisations. Work Organisations, 139-157. doi:10.1007/978-1-137-08842-0_10