Assignment: Sexual Problems
Develop a 3-4 page research paper based on a selected case study related to sexual problems.
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:
• Competency 1: Apply psychological theories to topics in human sexuality.
o Apply psychological theories to a case study in human sexuality.
• Competency 2: Apply scholarly research findings to topics in human sexuality.
o Apply scholarly research findings to a case study in human sexuality.
• Competency 3: Explain how ethics inform professional behavior in the field of human sexuality.
o Explain how ethics inform professional behavior in the field of human sexuality.
• Competency 4: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for professionals in the field of psychology.
o Write coherently to support a central idea with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics as expected of a psychology professional.
Most sexual behavior problems must be delineated within the context of the individual's personality, lifestyle, and relationships with others. It is usually simplistic to label any particular behavior automatically as a problem. Several criteria are given that can be used to define sexual problems and that can help put problematic sex into a more realistic and sensible perspective. Determining when a sexual preference behavior becomes a problem is highly subjective and requires a look into different aspects of an individual's life, including his or her lifestyle and cultural and social belief systems. Sexual abuse, coercion, and assault of others represent serious sexual problems (Kelly, 2015).
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and a variety of other medical conditions can affect the sex organs and sexual activity. Whereas STDs once were discussed only briefly in most human sexuality courses, they are emerging as important issues again. Considering that the incidence of several diseases is on the rise, and that more organisms are being recognized as being capable of sexual transmission, such a trend may be timely. One of the most significant findings of the National Health and Social Life Survey (NHSLS) was the direct correlation between the numbers of sexual partners people have had and the likelihood that they will have had a STD (National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, 1992).
Defining sexual dysfunctions is somewhat subjective, and individual differences in the sexual response cycle are often perfectly normal. Rather than simply labeling each dysfunction and explaining it separately, we must examine it based on the broader picture of sexual responsiveness and the total sexual relationship. In recent years, there has been greater emphasis on potential organic conditions that can manifest themselves in sexual difficulties, including the effects of alcohol, other drugs, and certain medications. On the other hand, it is still a safe assumption that many sexual disorders of this sort are caused by a vicious circle of anxiety and fear of failure generating lack of responsiveness, or by difficulties within a relationship.
Instructions
Develop a light research paper based on case studies provided in the Human Sexuality Case Studies: Confronting Issues in Human Sexualityinteractive media piece (linked in the Resources under the Required Resources heading). Read the case studies and select one on which to base your paper. Try to choose the case study that you feel best applies to the requirements for your paper, which are provided in the instructions below.
Use your selected scenario to write a 3-4 page paper in which you complete the following:
• Identify and describe a concept (or concepts) and the general perspective or approach to human sexuality that the concept falls under (such as gender theories, instinct theory, psychodynamic, or developmental) using correct terminology from the course. If the concept or perspective is closely associated with the writings of a particular theorist (such as Freud, Kinsey, Masters and Johnson, and so on), then provide that information. Explain how the concept fits the case study.
• Select a minimum of two scholarly sources that support your explanation of how the concept fits the case study. Connect what you have learned in your research by integrating and combining information from your source articles with the case study.
• Examine and explain how ethical standards guide professional behavior as they relate to the issues and concepts identified in the selected human sexuality case study. You must state the specific ethical standard that relates to the topic or issue highlighted in the case study and explain how this ethical standard guides professional behavior.
Note: Do not restate the case study within your paper; you should only identify and refer to the selected case study as needed to illustrate your points.
Your paper should follow a logical structure and be evidence based. Use the MEAL plan to help guide the organization of your paper.
• Main Idea: Present the main point or idea that you are making about your case study related to sexual problems.
• Evidence: What does the research say? Support your statements with evidence from the literature.
• Application: Summarize main ideas from articles related to your chosen case study. Apply concepts that relate directly or indirectly to your main point. Make explicit links between source articles and your current paper.
• Link: Integrate and combine information from your source articles with your main point or idea.
References
Kelly, G. F. (2015). Sexuality today (11th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago (NORC). (1992). National health and social life survey.
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.