Why a Course in Human Sexuality?

All of the sexual attitudes, feelings, and behaviors associated with being human. The term does not refer specifically to a person's capacity for erotic response or to sexual acts, but rather to a dimension of one's personality.

A face-to-face position of sexual intercourse in which the woman lies on her back and the man lies on top with his legs between hers. It was called this because Christian missionaries instructed people that other positions were unnatural.

The attitude that the behaviors and customs of one's own ethnic group or culture are superior to others.

The belief that body and soul are separate and antagonistic.

The period during the reign of Queen Victoria of England. With regard to sexuality, it was a time of great public prudery (the pleasurable aspects of sex were denied) and many incorrect medical beliefs.

A period in U.S. history, beginning about 1960, of increased sexual permissiveness.

The process of internalizing society's beliefs; the manner in which a society shapes individual behaviors and expectations of behaviors.

The social influences (e.g., parents, peers, the media) that shape behaviors.

Two meanings: (1) the adoption of the sex roles of the same-sex parent by a child, and (2) in advertising, to identify or relate to a product.

A study of people's attitudes, opinions, or behaviors. Responses are usually obtained either in a face-to-face interview or on a paper-and-pencil questionnaire.

The complete set of observations about which a researcher wishes to draw conclusions.

A subset of a population of subjects

A sample in which observations are drawn so that all other possible samples of the same size have an equal chance of being selected.

A sample in which subgroups are randomly selected in the same proportion as they exist in the population. Thus the sample is representative of the target population.

A bias in research results that is caused by differences between people who agree to participate and others who refuse.