The anthropological perspective of sexuality embraces psychological, biological, and social perspectives that are integrated into a holistic concept. In general, biological view relies on physiological perspective of sexual behavior, as well as on essentialist theory that makes sexuality an integral component that is necessary for human reproduction. From a psychological point of view, human sexuality is treated by individual motives that stand beyond sexual behavior.
Finally, the sociological tradition refers to the modern trends of perceiving human sexuality that attains importance to social rules, learning, and role-playing. In this respect, sociological perspective is considered the indicator of pattern for social interaction. To define the significance of anthropological studies, it should be stressed all perspectives are highly important for reflecting human sexuality. At the same time, each of the perspectives is introduced in various spheres of human activities.
The main similarity of social, biological, and psychological perspectives representing human sexuality lies in its essential role of human health and welfare, although being established in different context. Specifically, all the dimensions define sexuality as an important condition for normal functioning and performance of human being. Although reproductive functions are regarded as purely biological, they are closely intertwined with social and psychological fulfillment in terms of the instincts that each individual possess.
Biological, psychological, and social views could be evaluated from a cultural viewpoint. Specifically, the concept of reproduction, instinct and sexual pleasures are considered differently in various cultures. For instance, attitude to human sexuality in Western and Eastern societies significantly differ, although biological importance remain the same.
Finally, all the perspectives of human sexuality play a significant role in defining personality. From a theoretical perspective, many scientists insist on the role of sexuality in defining motives and roles that a person performs at both individual and collective levels. As an example, an outstanding psychologist Sigmund Freud place biological factors at the core of individual sexuality.
Despite the common stances characterizing human sexuality, all the anthropological perspectives at issue. Specifically, biological context determines human sexuality from the physiological context, which represents a common stance for all people, as well as rules and cycles that both males and females take.
Although it concerns a human, biological view on sexuality is simpler, as compared to social and psychological perspectives. Psychological perspective touches on cognitive, behavioral, and emotional components of the concept. It does not only involve physiological perspective, but also introduces sexuality as the main component shaping personality. What is more important is that sexuality is often considered the basis of individual’s psychosexuality.
Finally, unlike biological and psychological perspectives, social environment also affects people’s outlooks on their sexual identity. Specifically, social perspective has a potential impact on perceptions, stereotypes, and attitudes toward sexuality whereas psychological and biological perspective is determined more at an individual level. Therefore, the social environment is a complex set of values, norms, and virtues that change people’s outlook on roles and functions that sexuality performs in their lives
In conclusion, biological, psychological, and social perspectives are important components shaping anthropological concept of sexuality. On the one hand, all the views on this concept are predetermined by their cultural, religious, and contextual importance.
At the same time, all these dimensions differ much in terms of scale and direction of influence. One of the most important perspectives of considering sexuality refers to a sociological perspective that incorporates the rest two components and creates a complex synthesis developing personality.