Key Terms In Human Sexuality

by Mario Sacasa

 

           The following is a list of defining key terms that are used throughout this website. This list is a simple way for the reader to understand clinical definitions of the various aspects of human sexuality.

 

Communication - act of transmitting and receiving information ¹

 

Contraception - artificial means used to prevent conception ²    

 

Gender - the behavioral, cultural, or psychological qualities usually related with one ²

 

Intimacy - The state of being closely connected with another person ¹

 

Love - profound affection for another person ¹

 

Marriage - being in legal, spiritual and emotional union of two people as husband and wife ¹

 

Masturbation - arousing and stimulating one’s own sexual organ ¹

 

Orgasm - climax of sexual arousal, characterized by intense release of tension ²

 

Pregnancy - the state of carrying a developing unborn child in the body ²

 

Sex - Classification on the basis of sexual organs, male and female ¹

 

Sexual Desire - a longing and hoping for sexual union with another person ¹

 

Sexual Intercourse - act of unifying genitals between two partners ¹

 

Sexual Orientation - direction that an individual displays their sexual attraction, whether that is towards members of the opposite sex, same sex or both.

 

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) - diseases, infections, and illnesses that can be contracted through sexual relations

 

Values - a set of morals, principles and standards that an individual believes ¹

 

 

¹ Pritchard, R. (Ed.). (1994). The American Heritage Dictionary (3^rd ed.). New York: Dell.

 

² www.m-w.com retrieved November 5, 2006, Merriam Webster Online