Test Bank

Chapter 1: “The Social Construction of Sexuality”

Multiple Choice

1. Culture teaches us that in order to achieve loving relationships and emotional intimacy, we must be monogamous. This is referred to as

a. heterosexuality

b. mononormativity

c. androcentric

d. true love

2. The term______ refers to having sexual attractions to individuals, regardless of their sex or gender; a sexual attraction to all sexes/genders.

a. pansexual

b. bisexual

c. homosexual

d. asexual

3. Essentialist thinking about sexual orientation includes

a. permanence to sexual orientation

b. static, unchanging, innate qualities of orientation

c. naturalizing differences between groups

d. all of these

4. To take an intersectional approach to understanding oppression is to

a. understand racial oppression as a dominant form of oppression

b. understand gender inequality as rooted behind all other forms of oppression

c. be aware of how different forms of oppressions influence another

d. be aware of how biology does not shape sexual orientation

5. Compulsory heterosexuality means an individual is

a. heterosexual by choice

b. shaped by cultural forces to be heterosexual

c. denying their own homosexuality

d. obsessed with sexuality

6. To say that “homosexuality” is an invention is to also say that

a. heterosexuality is an invention

b. sexuality can be categorized

c. sexual identities define individuals and groups

d. All of these

7. Traditionally, U.S. society has linked childhood sexuality with

a. asexuality

b. innocence

c. both a and b

d. neither a or b

8. When sociologists talk about sexual invisibility, they are referring to

a. covert sexual behavior

b. aspects of sexuality and groups that are ignored in society

c. an individual’s ability to traverse sexual identities

d. media imagery

9. Sexuality refers to one’s sexual desires, erotic attractions, and sexual behaviors. Sexuality is

a. congruent with one’s sexual orientation

b. congruent with one’s gender identity

c. consistent throughout one’s life

d. none of these

10. BDSM is a broad term that refers to

a. sexual practices that were once deemed as symptoms of mental illness

b. nonconsensual sexual behavior as thrilling

c. a contemporary sexual practice

d. none of these

True/False

1. Sexuality is socially constructed through gender.

2. Transgender refers to people whose gender identity is consistent with their assigned sex at birth.

3. Compulsory heterosexuality is a form of heteronormativity.

4. Biological determinism is a form of essentialism.

5. Pansexuality is the same thing as bisexuality.

Short Answer

1. Provide three examples of binary categories in culture.

2. Define sexual double standard.

3. Briefly describe a sexual script in our culture.

4. What does each letter of the acronym LBGTQ stand for?

5. Define polyamory.

Essay

1. Explain the sociological approach to the study of sexuality. How is it different from the biological or psychological approach?

2. What does it mean to say that sexuality is socially constructed? Provide three pieces of evidence that support the argument that sexuality is a social construction. How does understanding sexuality as a social construct alter our dominant cultural understanding of sexuality?

3. What is a sexual revolution? Describe key characteristics of past sexual revolutions. Make an argument that we are currently in a historical era that later generations will look back on and describe as a sexual revolution. Now make the counter argument: provide evidence that shows that we are probably NOT currently in a sexual revolution.

4. Describe sexuality across the life course, identifying sexual changes over the life course that are socially constructed and those that are biological.

5. Discuss sexual minorities beyond lesbian and gay. Describe the sexual hierarchy and why certain groups are placed at the top and others near the bottom.