Intro to Human Sexuality (PSY 306): Overview

Cindy M. Meston, Ph.D. & David M. Buss, Ph.D.

#43120 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 attraction, sexual desire, arousal, and orgasm. 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
psychotherapy, 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 economics. 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, prostitution, pornography, polyamory, 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, sexual orientation, sexual assault, 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. We
expect you to immerse yourself into the readings and lectures. 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
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 consist of 5 essay
questions at the end of the semester. 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.

Computing your final grade.

At the end of the semester, grades will be assigned in the following way:
A = 92-100
A- = 90-91
B+ = 88-89
B = 82-87
B- = 80-81
C+ = 78-79
C = 72-77
C- = 70-71
D+ = 68-69
D = 62- 67
D- = 60-61
F = 0 -59

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 psychology. Her research interests include the potential role of sexual
arousal 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 evolutionary psychology, social status,
hierarchy negotiation, and bargaining power.

Bridget Freihart, M.Sc.

Bridget is a doctoral student in the clinical psychology 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.

Brennan Hickson, B.S./B.A.

Brennan is a doctoral student in the clinical psychology program. Her research interests center on the use of
machine learning and neuroimaging approaches to predict cognitive function and decline.

Chelsea Kilimnik, M.Sc.

Chelsea is a doctoral student in the clinical psychology program. Her research interests primarily focus on human
sexuality and sexual health. Specifically, Chelsea researches the influence of nonconsensual sexual experiences
throughout the lifespan on overall sexual well-being.
Anna Sedlacek, B.A.
Anna is a doctoral student in evolutionary psychology. Her research interests vary, but she is currently working on
analyzing the psychological phenomena involved in sexual harassment through an evolutionary lens.
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

All emails should be sent to: onlinepsy306ta@austin.utexas.edu

Instructor Office Hours

Cindy M. Meston, Ph.D. Thurs 5:00-7:00 SEA 3.232
David M. Buss, Ph.D. Thurs 5:00-7:00 SEA 3.228

Teaching Assistants
Courtney Crosby, B.A. Tue/Thu 12:30-2:00 SEA 3.324B

Patrick Durkee, M.A. Wed 3:00-6:00 SEA 3.324D

Bridget Freihart, M.Sc. Mon 9:00a-12:00p SEA 3.318B

Brennan Hickson, B.S./B.A. Fri 9:00a-12:00p SEA 4.111D

Chelsea Kilimnik, M.Sc. By appointment SEA 3.318 (best for clinical questions)

Anna Sedlacek, B.A. By appointment SEA 3.324E (best for evolutionary questions)

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 16 Introduction to course: Overview
and Expectations
Jan 18 Introduction to Evolutionary and YSEX: Introduction; EoD: Chapter 1
Clinical Perspectives on Human
Sexuality
Jan 23 What Women Find Sexually YSEX: Chapter 1; EoD: Chapter 2
Attractive
 The Whys of Mating:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/31/science/31tier.html?_r
=0
Why Sex is Sexy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYUtVsA-wi4
Jan 25 Women’s Sexual Attraction The Science of Attraction:
(continued) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=169N81xAffQ
Jan 30 What Men Find Sexually Attractive EoD: Chapter 3
Why Is Sex Such a Big Deal?:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54uG_6dtMoU

Feb 1 Men’s Sexual Attraction

(continued)
Feb 6 EXAM 1
SECTION 2 SEXUAL IDENTITY AND
ORIENTATION
Feb 8 *Sexual Orientation Human Sexuality is Complicated:
Chelsea Kilimnik (Guest Presenter) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXAoG8vAyzI

Feb 13 Sexual Orientation (continued) Exploring Sexual Orientation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5vrNYA_nik
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-S5QYVe0mJY
Feb 15 *Sexual Differentiation Online Film: Dr. Money Boy With No Penis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUTcwqR4Q4Y
Feb 20 Gender Dysphoria My Secret Self:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsVu8my2wRY&list=PLF
AFE7D97C15BC299
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLhyQLpsdfQ&index=2&
list=PLFAFE7D97C15BC299
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6G1JhggfwI&list=PLFAF
E7D97C15BC299&index=3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_25TKqi1pqQ&index=4&
list=PLFAFE7D97C15BC299
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDZ8aJfz2iA&list=PLFAF
E7D97C15BC299&index=5
Feb 22 EXAM 2
SECTION 3 THE DARK SIDE OF SEX
Feb 27 Sexual Conflict YSEX: Chapter 4; EoD: Chapters 7, 8
Human sexual conflict:
https://labs.la.utexas.edu/buss/files/2013/02/Sexual-Conflict-
in-Human-Mating-FINAL-PUBLISHED-2017.pdf

http://www.toddkshackelford.com/downloads/Gorelik-
Shackelford-EP-2011.pdf
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mu4Uki8VyLc&list=PL8yr
jrxWR4NOZpMIJ-6szU4yW2ZsXDMM2&index=3
March 1 *Sexual Coercion & Abuse YSEX: Chapter 10
Moving Forward: A Public Conversation on Surviving Sexual
Abuse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbM-Pd56M2A
March 6 Sexual Coercion & Abuse (con’t) YSEX: Chapter 8
Sexual Economics How new technology is shaking up the oldest business:
http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21611074-how-
new-technology-shaking-up-oldest-business-more-bang-your-
buck?zid=319&ah=17af09b0281b01505c226b1e574f5cc1
March 8 Infidelity EoD: Chapter 6
https://aeon.co/essays/does-the-mate-switching-hypothesis-
explain-female-infidelity
March 13 Spring Break – no class
March 15 Spring Break – no class
March 20 Jealousy YSEX: Chapter 5
March 22 EXAM 3
SECTION 4 SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION
March 27 Sexual Desire YSEX: Chapter 6
YSEX: Chapter 9; EoD: Chapter 4
Making Sex Normal:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CE3tL9MMk3U
Learning to Lust:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/201005/learning-
lust
March 29 *Sexual Desire (con’t) The Science of Sexual Arousal:
Female Sexual Arousal http://www.apa.org/monitor/apr03/arousal.aspx
Why People Have Sex:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJ2I6Bh6nPI
April 3 Female Sexual Arousal (con’t) Can Porn Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
Male Sexual Arousal http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/can-porn-cause-erectile-
dysfunction-pt-1
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/can-porn-cause-erectile-
dysfunction-pt-2
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/can-porn-cause-erectile-
dysfunction-pt-3
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/can-porn-cause-erectile-
dysfunction-pt-4
April 5 *Orgasm YSEX: Chapter 2; Chapter 11
10 Things You Didn’t Know About Orgasm:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jx0dTYUO5E
Reopening the Case of the Female Orgasm:
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/bering-in-
mind/reopening-the-case-of-the-female-orgasm/
April 10 Orgasm (con’t)
April 12 EXAM 4
SECTION 5 EVERYTHING ELSE YOU WANTED
TO KNOW ABOUT SEX
April 17 Paraphilias YSEX: Chapter 7
A Little-told Tale of Sex and Sensuality:
http://www.ted.com/talks/shereen_el_feki_a_little_told_tale
_of_sex_and_sensuality
Brain Research and Pedophilia:
http://vimeo.com/33793616
April 19 Mate Competition EoD: Chapter 5
Attraction and Mate Selection:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvjF5RyoKzI
April 24 Love YSEX: Chapter 3
Helen Fisher: The brain in love:
http://www.ted.com/talks/helen_fisher_studies_the_brain_in
_love?language=en
April 26 Careers in Sexuality
May 1 Class Questions
May 3 EXAM 5