Sexuality
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Our Fascination with Sexy Female Athletes: The Freudian Lens
Sigmund Freud, a pioneer in psychology, significantly shaped our understanding of the human mind through his concepts of the unconscious mind, the Oedipus complex, and the libido. These theories offer a lens through which we can analyze societal phenomena, including our fascination with attractive female athletes. Freud’s psychoanalytic theory postulates that our preferences and behaviors are influenced by unconscious desires,…
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Perfume Psychology
Wouldn’t it be lovely if you could simply put a dash of perfume on yourself and men will be held spellbound by you? Dr. Steve Van Toller, a perfume psychology expert, discusses the sense of smell. Dr. Van Toller explains that our sense of smell doesnt have a cognitive affect, but does have an emotional one. According to this video, who has a…
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Onset of Puberty
Researchers have discovered the precise chemical chain reaction that could be the much-sought-after puberty trigger: The KiSS-1 gene, which produces a protein in the hypothalamus, a part of the brain, which regulates metabolic activity. What can precocious or delayed triggering of the KiSS-1 gene cause?
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Friends: Monicas Erogenous Zones
In this clip from the TV show Friends, Monica shows Chandler how to use the seven basic erogenous zones. Considering Monicas explanation, what might Monicas description of the seven erogenous zones be? What is the largest sexual organ in the human body?
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Gender Controversy Runner Welcomed Home
Caster Semenya, a native of South Africa, won the 800 meter world championships in Berlin and returned home to controversy over her gender. Her gold medal is being challenged by the Association of Athletics Federations (AAF) officials who, according to USA Today, explained questions had been raised about her muscular physique and stunning improvement in times. If Semenya has lived…
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Gender Identity Development
An interviewer questions two young boys about their gender and why they know why they are either a boy or a girl. She initially asks two questions: Are you a boy or a girl? and When you were born, were you a boy or a girl? Generally, by what age do children develop gender constancy?
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Mans Last Stand
This ad from Dodge debuted during the 2010 Super Bowl and immediately got a lot of attention for its cleverness. How is the male gender depicted in this ad? Considering no women appear in the ad, how do you think the female gender is depicted in this ad?
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Womans Last Stand
Please note: This clip has strong language in the last seconds of the video. This video was created in answer to the Dodge ad, Mans Last Stand (see above). While that ad has no women in it, nor does it mention women, the creators of this ad seem to suggest it depicts women in a specific way. How does this video depict both…
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Russell Peters on Arranged Marriage
Comedian Russell Peters imitates his mother, who insists he settle for an arranged marriage. A significant proportion of arranged marriages still occur in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. How would you feel about your mother or father choosing your spouse? What is the prevalence of arranged marriage in America?
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Attraction and Mate Selection
This video clip discusses social and sexual attraction and the various ways humans select mates. Dr. David Buss discusses the evolutionary perspective and sex differences. Dr. Alice Eagly has a social-structural theory focus and believes our social role affects our mate choice. According to Dr. Buss, how do men and women choose mates?
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No on 8 PSA: NO vs YES
This brief PSA parodies the PC vs. MAC commercials with PC representing yes for Prop 8 and MAC representing no. Although initially same sex marriage was legalized in California, Prop 8 passed in late 2008. 18,000 marriages that occurred before Prop 8 passed are still legal. Which states have legalized same-sex marriage to date?
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Surrogate Mothers in India Baby Factory
This news report from IBN Sunrise discusses the UK couples adopting children from the Baby Factory in India. Surrogate motherhood has created an ethical debate; certain women (with lighter skin and higher IQs) are paid at a higher rate than others. What questions (ethical, legal, etc.) does surrogacy raise?
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Pregnant Prisoners Want Freedom to Give Birth
The Associated Press follows women who are incarcerated while pregnant and their mistreatment during labor. Civil rights groups feel that women should not be shackled while giving birth because it is unsafe for the mother and the child. What concerns arise regarding safety for mother and child? What other issues may arise regarding the mothers health postpardum, especially considering she is incarcerated?
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70-Year-Old Gives Birth to Twins
Om Kali, a 70-year-old woman, underwent in vitro fertilization to have a son. She gave birth to twins one boy and one girl. Even though they have two older daughters and numerous grandchildren, Om Kali and her husband, Charan, only wanted a son. Om Kali feels cheated since she was assured by her doctor shed only have a son. How has culture shaped…
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Woman Pregnant Twice
A CBS reporter speaks with Todd and Julia Grovenberg who have conceived two fetuses at different times; they were conceived 2 weeks and 4 days apart. This condition is called superfetation. The Grovenbergs plan to give birth to both children at the same time to avoid any complications. What kinds of health risks might the younger fetus encounter?
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Dr. George Tiller (1941-2009): Murdered Abortion Provider Remembered
Democracy Now reports that supporters of reproductive rights are mourning the killing of the abortion provider Dr. George Tiller. The sixty-seven-year-old doctor was shot as he attended services at his Wichita, Kansas church. In this clip, Democracy Now provides Dr. Tillers professional history along with facts about assassination attempts on other abortion doctors. What is considered a late-term abortion? What are some of…
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FDA to Allow Plan B for 17-Year-Olds
The Associated Press reports on Plan Bs availability to women aged 17 years old and older. The FDA may allow these women to purchase Plan B without a prescription. What state regulations could affect Plan B availability to women who are 17 years old?
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Mistah F.A.B. Safer Sex PSA
This San Francisco Department of Public Health PSA features rap artist MISTAH F.A.B. He advises people living in the San Francisco Bay Area to text SEXINFO to learn more about STIs and getting tested and to seek advice on relationships, contraception, and pregnancy. What are the benefits of offering information this way? How might a PSA promoting Abstinence-Only sex education differ?
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