Changes

=== Love and sexuality ===

=== Love and sexuality ===

[[Human sexuality]], besides ensuring [[biological reproduction]], has important social functions: it creates [[physical intimacy]], bonds, and hierarchies among individuals; may be directed to spiritual transcendence (according to some traditions); and in a [[hedonism|hedonistic]] sense to the enjoyment of activity involving sexual gratification. [[lust|Sexual desire]], or [[libido]], is experienced as a bodily urge, often accompanied by strong emotions such as [[love]], [[ecstasy (emotion)|ecstasy]] and [[jealousy]].

[[Human sexuality]], besides ensuring [[biological reproduction]], has important social functions: it creates [[physical intimacy]], bonds, and hierarchies among individuals; may be directed to spiritual transcendence (according to some traditions); and in a [[hedonism|hedonistic]] sense to the enjoyment of activity involving sexual gratification. [[lust|Sexual desire]], or [[libido]], is experienced as a bodily urge, often accompanied by strong emotions such as [[love]], [[ecstasy (emotion)|ecstasy]] and [[jealousy]].

Human sexual choices are usually made in reference to cultural [[norm (sociology)|norms]], which vary widely. Restrictions are sometimes determined by religious beliefs or social customs.

Human sexual choices are usually made in reference to cultural [[norm (sociology)|norms]], which vary widely. Restrictions are sometimes determined by religious beliefs or social customs.

Many [[Sexology|sexologists]] believe that the majority of ''Homo sapiens'' have the inherent capacity to be attracted to both males and females (a kind of universal potential [[bisexuality]]).{{fact|date=November 2007}} In a variation of this, pioneering researcher [[Sigmund Freud]] believed that humans are born [[Psychosexual development|polymorphously perverse]], which means that any number of objects could be a source of pleasure. According to Freud, humans then pass through five stages of [[psychosexual development]] (and can fixate on any stage because of various traumas during the process). For [[Alfred Kinsey]], another influential sex researcher, people can fall anywhere along a continuous scale of sexual orientation (with only small minorities fully [[heterosexual]] or [[homosexual]]). Recent studies of [[neurology]] and [[genetics]] suggest people may be born with one sexual orientation or another, so there is not currently a clear consensus among sex researchers.<ref> Buss, David M. (2004) "The Evolution of Desire: Strategies of Human Mating". Revised Edition. New York: Basic Books" </ref><ref> Thornhill, R., & Palmer, C. T. (2000). A Natural History of Rape. Biological Bases of Sexual Coercion. Cambridge: MIT Press. </ref>

Many [[Sexology|sexologists]] believe that the majority of ''Homo sapiens'' have the inherent capacity to be attracted to both males and females (a kind of universal potential [[bisexuality]]).{{fact|date=November 2007}} In a variation of this, pioneering researcher [[Sigmund Freud]] believed that humans are born [[Psychosexual development|polymorphously perverse]], which means that any number of objects could be a source of pleasure. According to Freud, humans then pass through five stages of [[psychosexual development]] (and can fixate on any stage because of various traumas during the process). For [[Alfred Kinsey]], another influential sex researcher, people can fall anywhere along a continuous scale of sexual orientation (with only small minorities fully [[heterosexual]] or [[homosexual]]). Recent studies of [[neurology]] and [[genetics]] suggest people may be born with one sexual orientation or another, so there is not currently a clear consensus among sex researchers.<ref> Buss, David M. (2004) "The Evolution of Desire: Strategies of Human Mating". Revised Edition. New York: Basic Books" </ref><ref> Thornhill, R., & Palmer, C. T. (2000). A Natural History of Rape. Biological Bases of Sexual Coercion. Cambridge: MIT Press.

== Culture ==

== Culture ==