•Post a 5- to 7-slide Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation summarizing the different perspectives on sexual orientation and identity.

Here's my problem. I have read the entire chapter regarding this assignment and didn't come across any perspectives on the topic. I asked my instructor what perspectives we were supposed to summarize and the answer I got was to replace the word perspectives with the word theories. Which doesn't help any I still don't know what I am supposed to be summarizing! Can someone please help me out? I am so confused on this! Has anyone else taken PSY 240 at UOP and had this problem with this assignment?

You should probably look for theories about the causes of various sexual orientations. Is it biological, psychological?

This article may help you find what you need in your text.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_orientation

Thank you Ms. Sue. While I'm still very confused about this assignment you are at least being more helpful than the instructor.

Gender identity is the gender you believe you are, usually the one you are labeled as at birth.

Sexual orientation is whether you are attracted to members of the same sex, opposite sex or both.

It can become confusing. Let's say you are a male, but believe you are a female trapped in a male body (gender identity). Viewing yourself as female, you are attracted sexually to males (orientation). Although to others, it may appear you are homosexual, according to your gender identity, your attraction is heterosexual.

I don't know if this helps or make it more confusing.

I understand what sexual identity and sexual orientation are. That wasn't my question. The issue I am having is that my instructor is expecting a power point that summarizes the different perspectives on these topics. The problem I am having is that because it is an online course with no lecture there has been no discussion about any perspectives or theories and there's nothing in the text about theories and the instructor won't answer my questions.

PsyDag added some useful information. There must be something in your text about sexual identity and orientation. Does the author give different ideas about the causes or results of sexual identity and orientation?

If you still don't find that information, you can use PsyDag's information plus anything else you van glean from the Internet -- and do your PowerPoint on these ideas.

I understand you are feeling confused about your assignment, and it can be frustrating when the instructions are unclear. In this case, where you were originally asked to summarize perspectives on sexual orientation and identity but were advised to replace "perspectives" with "theories," it seems the concept you need to focus on is the different theories regarding sexual orientation and identity.

To get started on your PowerPoint presentation, here are some steps you can follow to gather information on the theories of sexual orientation and identity:

1. Conduct Research: Begin by conducting thorough research on the topic. Utilize academic databases, scholarly articles, books, and reputable online sources to gather information on various theories related to sexual orientation and identity. Focus on psychological theories, sociocultural perspectives, biological explanations, and any other relevant theories.

2. Identify Key Theories: As you gather information, identify the key theories that are commonly discussed in the field. Some examples include:
- Psychodynamic theories: These theories suggest that sexual orientation and identity are influenced by unconscious desires and early childhood experiences.
- Biological theories: These theories focus on genetic, hormonal, and physiological factors that may contribute to sexual orientation and identity.
- Social constructionist theories: These theories emphasize the role of social and cultural factors in shaping sexual orientation and identity.
- Cognitive theories: These theories explore how thought processes and cognitive patterns may influence one's self-perception and sexual orientation.

3. Organize Your Presentation: After identifying the key theories, organize your presentation into 5-7 slides. Each slide can represent a different theory or perspective. Start with an introduction slide that provides an overview of the topic and briefly explains the relevance of the theories. Then, dedicate one slide to each theory, summarizing its main concepts, supporting evidence, and any criticisms or limitations associated with it.

4. Visuals and Examples: Enhance your presentation by using visuals, such as graphs, charts, or relevant images, to illustrate the key points of each theory. You can also include examples or case studies to provide real-life context and enhance understanding.

5. Conclusion Slide: End your presentation with a summary slide that summarizes the main findings and provides closure to your presentation. You can also include any personal reflections or thoughts you have on the topic.

Remember, while this advice should help you get started, it's important to always refer back to your course materials, syllabus, and any additional instructions provided by your instructor to ensure you're meeting the specific requirements of your assignment.