Assignment: Sexual Behaviors
Develop a 4-5 page research paper based on the portrayal of sexual behaviors in the media. It is important to understand how sexual problems are defined. An underlying theme is that most problems must be delineated within the context of the individual's personality, lifestyle, and relationships with others. 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 Describe sexual behaviors in the media selection and the extent to which these behaviors are considered acceptable or deviant.
• Competency 2: Apply scholarly research findings to topics in human sexuality.
o Describe the impact of the media portrayal on societal perceptions of the behavior and the extent to which the behavior is considered acceptable or deviant.
o Explain how the scholarly research findings support statements regarding the portrayal of sexual behaviors in the media selection.
o Apply scholarly research findings by integrating the research with the media portrayal of sexual behaviors.
• 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.
Sexual behaviors are influenced by factors such as age, race, religious beliefs, and educational background. Solitary sex includes thoughts and fantasies, erotic materials and toys, and masturbation. Solitary sex does not seem to be compensation for lack of availability of a sexual partner. The frequency with which people experience private sexual pleasure seems to be positively correlated with how frequently they seek shared sex.
Individuals should be aware of the difficulties of finding appropriate nonjudgmental labels for all types of sexual behaviors. A distinction is made among aspects of sexual performance and the more subjective factors of sexual desire, sensuosity, and sensuality. These concepts are particularly useful as you explore the different dimensions of human sexuality.
Human sexuality has found its way into the culture and laws of every society. The balance of personal sexual freedom with the public need to regulate social behavior is a topic to consider. How far should sexual freedom for adults be carried? To what extent should legal systems regulate sexual behaviors? What limits should be imposed on the availability of sexually explicit materials?
Attempts have been made at distinguishing between pornography and erotica, although the final distinction clearly lies in the eye of the beholder. Sexologists are increasingly using the term "sexually explicit materials" as a general descriptor. Graphic depictions of human nudity and sexual behavior have been a part of every society and historical period. Pornography, or sexually explicit material, is generally meant to sexually arouse. Obscenity is material that potentially arouses and offends. Erotica is a name given to sexually realistic art or fiction.
In the early twentieth century, some revolutionary decisions were made about the type and amount of sexual behavior that could be depicted in books. This was followed by increasingly liberal attitudes toward sexual themes in magazines and films. More recent developments include hard-core video, telephone sex services, cybersex via the Internet, and sexual depictions on television. Regulation of the Internet for various sexual purposes has become an increasingly complex issue for governing bodies and the courts (Kelly, 2015).
Reference
Kelly, G. F. (2015). Sexuality today (11th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill
Instruction
Develop a research paper based on the portrayal of sexual behaviors in the media. Select an example from the media to use as the focus of your paper. Some examples may include television shows like Three's Company, Will and Grace, or Modern Family and books and films like the Fifty Shades trilogy.
Use your selected media example to write a 4-5 page paper in which you address the following:
• Identify and describe the sexual behavior.
• Describe to what extent or in what ways the behavior is considered acceptable or deviant.
• Describe how the behavior is addressed in the media and provide examples.
• Describe the impact that the media portrayal may have on societal perceptions of the behavior.
• Identify a minimum of four sources that support your statements regarding the identified sexual behavior and its impact on society. At least two of these sources must be scholarly.
• Explain the findings of these sources and how they support your statements about the identified sexual behaviors.
• Connect what you have learned in your research by integrating and combining information from your sources with the media selection.
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 the portrayal of sexual behaviors in your selected media example.
• Evidence: What does the research say? Support your statements with evidence from the literature.
• Application: Summarize main ideas from articles related to your topic. 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.
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.