Intro to (PSY 306) - Online: Overview Spring 2019

Cindy M. Meston, Ph.D. & David M. Buss, Ph.D. #42425 T/TH 3:30-5:00

Introduction. Welcome to Intro to Human Sexuality. In this course, you will learn about all the stages of the human sexual response including: , sexual desire, arousal, and . You will learn what enhances and what inhibits each of these stages from psychological (e.g., relationships, mood, past experiences), evolutionary (e.g., how mating strategies evolved), and physiological (e.g., hormonal, neurological) perspectives. You will become familiar with different sexual problems that are clinically diagnosable, and how they are treated either with , medical intervention, or both. You will learn about sexual motivation and the many factors that influence sexual decision making such as jealousy, mate guarding, competition, duty, and . Our goal is to give you a broad overview of how humans function sexually. Two key perspectives in this course will be an evolutionary perspective and a clinical perspective, although multiple theoretical perspectives on human sexuality will be covered. Human sexuality has been a core research interest of both professors for many years. We are excited about co-teaching this course, and hope you will be excited about taking it.

Sex in the news. Sexual topics frequently make the news. News often deal with topics such as infidelity or other sexual improprieties by high status individuals such as politicians, internet dating sites that become popular or are hacked, , , , and new scientific findings about human sexuality. A unique feature of this course is a ‘sex in the news’ segment that will occur regularly throughout the course where relevant and as sex appears in the news. In a typical segment, one of the professors will discuss the sex item in the news, and then use that discussion to make broader points that relate to the course material. Students are responsible for all sex-in- the-news segments discussed in class and the broader points they illustrate. Some exam items will test the student’s knowledge of the broader scientific points illustrated by these ‘sex in the news’ segments.

Warning: Upsetting and disturbing material. Sexuality is a domain that is highly personal for most people. Some of the material covered in this course may touch on issues that have personal relevance and may be disturbing—topics such as sexual attraction, , , prostitution, sexual deception, conflict between the sexes, sexual disorders, etc. If you anticipate finding any of these topics too upsetting to discuss in the context of scientific theories and empirical research, we recommend that you not take this course.

Required readings:

Meston, C.M, & Buss, D.M. (2009). Why Women Have Sex. New York: St Martin’s Griffin.

Buss, D.M. (2016). The Evolution of Desire: Strategies of Human Mating (revised and updated 2016 edition only), by David M. Buss (New York: Basic Books).

Assigned readings, webcasts, weblinks as per syllabus and TBA.

Tests and grading. Although a course on human sexuality can be exciting, do not expect it to be an easy course. You will need to master different theoretical perspectives as well as a large empirical literature on human sexuality. There will be five multiple choice tests. You must take all five exams. You will be able to drop the lowest of your first four test grades; you cannot drop your fifth exam grade. These four test grades will each be worth 20% of your final grade. If an exam must be missed due to dire circumstances (e.g., a medical emergency), you must provide documentation from your doctor (or relevant official) and contact one of the Teaching Assistants in advance of the exams. In these emergency cases, the makeup exam will be an accumulative exam consisting of 5 essay questions, and will be given at the end of the semester. If you miss an exam for any of the following reasons: funerals, religious events, sporting events (as a participant) you must provide us with written notification two weeks prior to the exam and we will assess whether the reason warrants missing an exam. If you are given approval, we will allow you to use this as your drop exam. The remaining 20% of your grade will come from short quizzes that will be held online during class time. There will be no make-up opportunities for missed quizzes. You must take the quizzes and exams online. You are expected to take the online class in real time, as it is being broadcast so that you can take part in class discussions and be present for the quizzes. After the exam is finished, you will have one week after grades are released to review your exam in one of the TAs’ office hours.

Cheating. We take cheating very seriously in this course. The exams are closed book. You are not to talk with anyone during the exam, or to discuss exam questions either in person or online via chatrooms, google documents, etc. You are not allowed to go online during exams to check answers to questions, or to refer to class power points or notes. Persons caught violating these rules will be given a “0” on the exam and will not be able to drop that exam score. Persons caught cheating will also be referred to Student Conduct and Academic Integrity in the Office of the Dean of Students.

Computing your final grade. At the end of the semester, grades will be assigned in the following way:

A = 91.45 – 100% A- = 89.45 – 91.44% B+ = 87.45 – 89.44% B = 81.45 – 87.44% B- = 79.45 – 81.44% C+ = 77.45 – 79.44% C = 71.45 – 77.44% C- = 69.45 – 71.44% D+ = 67.45 – 69.44% D = 61.45 – 67.44% D- = 59.45 – 61.44% F = 0 – 59.44%

There are no exceptions to this grading scheme. No extra credit. No amount of begging, pleading, bribing, or heartfelt sorrow will change your final grade.

Teaching assistants. Your TAs are…

Courtney Crosby, B.A. Courtney is a doctoral student in evolutionary . Her research interests include the potential role of on different evolutionary hypotheses, specifically in regards to sexual disgust and risk taking in women.

Patrick Durkee, M.A. Patrick is a doctoral student in the IDEP area. His research interests include , social status, hierarchy negotiation, and bargaining power.

Kyle English, M.Ed. Kyle is a doctoral student in quantitative methods in . His research interests include structural equation modeling, computerized adaptive testing, and cognitive diagnostic models.

Bridget Freihart, M.Sc. Bridget is a doctoral student in the program. Her research interests primarily focus on couple- level correlates of sexual satisfaction. More specifically, Bridget is interested in the psychophysiological indicators of sexual well-being and the measurement of sexual function.

Other support. UT runs the Learning Skills Center in Jester Hall that offers invaluable advice on studying and note- taking techniques in general. The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, 471-4641 TTY. Finally, it is common for students to feel a great deal of stress when starting college. If you need to talk to someone, contact the Counseling and Mental Health Center at 471-3515.

Intro to Human Sexuality (PSY 306): Overview

Instructor Email Office Hours Cindy M. Meston, Ph.D. email: [email protected] Tuesdays 5:00–7:00 SEA 3.232 David M. Buss, Ph.D. email: [email protected] Tuesdays 5:00–7:00 SEA 3.228

Teaching Assistants Courtney Crosby, B.A. [email protected] Tuesdays 12:30–3:30p SEA 3.324C

Patrick Durkee, M.A. [email protected] Weds 2:00–5:00p SEA 3.324D

Kyle English, M.Ed. [email protected] Fridays 11:00a–2:00p SEA 2.116

Bridget Freihart, M.Sc. [email protected] Mondays 1:00–4:00p SEA 3.318B

Tentative Syllabus Required Reading: Why Women Have Sex (2009) by Cindy M. Meston & David M. Buss (St. Martin’s Press, NY) – available at the UT Bookstore or online. The Evolution of Desire: Strategies of Human Mating (2016) (revised and updated 2016 edition only), by David M. Buss (New York: Basic Books).

DATE LECTURE TOPIC ASSIGNED READINGS/VIDEOS SECTION 1 SEXUAL ATTRACTION Jan 22 Introduction to Course – Overview and Expectations Jan 24 Introduction to Evolutionary and Clinical Perspectives YSEX: Introduction; EoD: Chapter 1 on Human Sexuality Examples of topics discussed: Sex research methodology, Historical figures in sex research, Animal models of sexual behavior, Charles Darwin and sexual selection theory. Jan 29 What Women Find Sexually Attractive YSEX: Chapter 1; EoD: Chapter 2 Examples of topics discussed: Does familiarity breed The Whys of Mating: liking or contempt? Do pheromones play a role in http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/31/science/31tie human attraction? What does symmetry tell us r.html?_r=0 Why Sex is Sexy: about genetic fitness? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYUtVsA-wi4 Jan 31 Women’s Sexual Attraction (continued) The Science of Attraction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=169N81xAffQ Feb 5 What Men Find Sexually Attractive EoD: Chapter 3 Examples of topics discussed: Can men detect ovulation in women from their outward appearance and behavior? Do birds of a feather flock together or do opposites attract? Are there gender differences in mate selection? Feb 7 Men’s Sexual Attraction (continued) Feb 12 EXAM 1 SECTION 2 AND ORIENTATION Feb 14 Sexual Differentiation Examples of topics discussed: The role of chromosomes in sexual differentiation. What can sex hormone anomalies such as Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, and Progestin-induced hermaphroditism tell us about sexual identity? Are there gender differences in brain structures that influence sexual identity? Feb 19 Gender Dysphoria My Secret Self: Examples of topics discussed: DSM-5 diagnostic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsVu8my2wRY criteria for gender dysphoria. Biological and Social &list=PLFAFE7D97C15BC299 Learning theories of gender dysphoria. Sex https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLhyQLpsdfQ&i ndex=2&list=PLFAFE7D97C15BC299 reassignment surgery. Feb 21 Sexual Orientation Human Sexuality is Complicated: Chelsea Kilimnik (Guest Presenter) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXAoG8vAyzI

Examples of topics discussed: What are the different sexual orientations? How does culture influence sexual orientation? of homosexuality as a mental disorder, Biological theories of homosexuality, Behaviorist and Developmental theories of Sex and Gender are Dials: homosexuality, Evolutionary theories of https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/sexual- personalities/201605/sex-and-gender-are-dials-not- homosexuality. switches

Feb 26 Sexual Orientation (continued) + Evolution: The new science of sexual fluidity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bje1k8XXBs Feb 28 EXAM 2 SECTION 3 THE DARK SIDE OF SEX March 5 Sexual Conflict YSEX: Chapter 4; EoD: Chapters 7, 8 Examples of topics discussed: What leads to sexual Sexual Conflict in Human Mating: conflict? The historical assumption of mating https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mu4Uki8VyLc& harmony, Gender differences in adaptive problems, list=PL8yrjrxWR4NOZpMIJ- 6szU4yW2ZsXDMM2&index=3 Sexual over- bias, Male-initiated sexual deception, Female-initiated sexual deception. March 7 Sexual Economics YSEX: Chapter 8 Examples of topics discussed: Why is women’s Robot Sex: sexuality so valuable? Contrasting moral stances on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cN8sJz50Ng prostitution. Sex for Sale: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rfXgT4oE2A

March 12 Infidelity Examples of topics discussed: Predictors of infidelity, EoD: Chapter 6 Sex differences in reasons for infidelity, Personality Why Women Stray: predictors of infidelity, Why do men have affairs? https://aeon.co/essays/does-the-mate-switching- hypothesis-explain-female-infidelity Why do women have affairs? Only half of men consider this act as cheating: https://nypost.com/2018/11/20/only-half-of-men- consider-this-act-as-cheating-in-relationships/

March 14 Jealousy YSEX: Chapter 5 Examples of topics discussed: Is jealousy The Jealousy of Emotions and Sex: pathological? Why did jealousy evolve in humans? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y5h8arZtE4 Sex differences in jealousy, Predictors of jealous violence. March 19 Spring Break – no class March 21 Spring Break – no class March 26 Sexual Coercion & Abuse YSEX: Chapter 9 Examples of topics discussed: How sexual Moving Forward: A Public Conversation on Surviving coercion/abuse impacts well-being, Effective : treatments for sexual abuse survivors, Theories of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbM-Pd56M2A , Women’s defenses against rape. March 28 EXAM 3 SECTION 4 April 2 Sexual Desire YSEX: Chapter 6 Examples of topics discussed: How do you measure YSEX: Chapter 9; EoD: Chapter 4 sexual desire? Hormonal influences on sexual desire Making Sex Normal: in men and women, Why do antidepressants impair https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CE3tL9MMk3U Learning to Lust: sexual desire and can this be reversed? The impact of http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/201005/l media on body-image and self-esteem. earning-lust April 4 Sexual Desire (con’t) The Science of Sexual Arousal: Examples of topics discussed: http://www.apa.org/monitor/apr03/arousal.aspx Social/cultural/religious factors involved in sexual Why People Have Sex: decision making. Is there such a thing as an https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJ2I6Bh6nPI A Little-told Tale of Sex and Sensuality: aphrodisiac? The risks and benefits of using http://www.ted.com/talks/shereen_el_feki_a_little_ testosterone to treat low desire. told_tale_of_sex_and_sensuality April 9 Female Sexual Arousal/Male Sexual Arousal Can Porn Cause ? Examples of topics discussed: The role of the http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/can-porn-cause- sympathetic nervous system in female sexual arousal. erectile-dysfunction-pt-1 Will there ever be a “pink Viagra” for women? The http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/can-porn-cause- role of nitric oxide in male arousal. Can the erectile-dysfunction-pt-2 deleterious effects of smoking on erectile response be http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/can-porn-cause- reversed? Why Viagra has become a new addiction erectile-dysfunction-pt-3 among college students and how that is causing http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/can-porn-cause- erectile-dysfunction-pt-4 erectile failure in young, healthy men. April 11 Orgasm YSEX: Chapter 2; Chapter 11 Examples of topics discussed: Neurochemical changes 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Orgasm: with orgasm in men and women. Does brain chemistry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jx0dTYUO5E play a role in human monogamy vs polygamy? Are Reopening the Case of the Female Orgasm: http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/bering-in- there reproductive/evolutionary benefits to female mind/reopening-the-case-of-the-female-orgasm/ orgasm? April 16 Orgasm (con’t) April 18 EXAM 4 SECTION 5 EVERYTHING ELSE YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT SEX April 23 YSEX: Chapter 7 Examples of topics discussed: Why are paraphilias Brain Research and Pedophilia: almost exclusively diagnosed in men? Is there a http://vimeo.com/33793616 biological basis to pedophilia? Can pedophilia be successfully treated? Theories of the etiology of paraphilias, Consequences of sexual abuse. April 25 Mate Competition EoD: Chapter 5 Examples of topics discussed: Gender differences in These Lizards: attraction tactics, Gender differences in derogation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rafdHxBwIbQ

tactics, Mate guarding tactics. April 30 Love YSEX: Chapter 3 Examples of topics discussed: Gender differences in The brain in love: love, Theories of love, Cross cultural perspectives on http://www.ted.com/talks/helen_fisher_studies_the _brain_in_love?language=en love. May 2 Careers in Sexuality Examples of topics discussed: Clinical and experimental jobs in human sexuality, Graduate degrees in psychology – what degree for what job? How to get into graduate school in Psychology. May 7 Class Questions This class will cover questions submitted by the class that were not already cover in class or in assigned readings. Submit your questions directly to the professors or TAs via email. May 9 EXAM 5