Introduction to Psychology/Introduction

Running head: PSYCHOLOGY
PSYCHOLOGY
Name of Student
Name of University
Author note

PSYCHOLOGY
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It is first to be understood what the actual situation is and how the relationship
between the partners are affected by the various underpinnings that seems to have affected
the relationship scenario between Pete and Paula in a negative or rather in an adverse aspect.
It is highly important to understand that they met through friends and came into a relationship
and the age of the subjects are also very important or rather very critical to noted – Paula is
twenty four years old who is a buyer for a large departmental store and her partner whose
name is Pete is a lawyer who is two years elder to her, that is twenty six years old. The age
gap between the partners Pete and Paula in the case study is not much and it is critical to note
that they are in same age range and going through similar developmental psychosocial
changes (according to Erik Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development) and as the case
study explores further , they are sexually active and there was no issues in their physical
relationship whatsoever before Pete moved into Paula’s home on her insisting to live together
and it is in this three months that the erectile dysfunction disorder in the male partner that is
Pete has begun, it is very critical to noted that they were sexually active before as well and
once they have moved in with each other, the sexual problems has begun in the subject which
might have been caused due to a lot of reasons and not just a physical, neurological reason.
Of these reasons, there are psychological as well as the psychosocial reasons in addition to
the biological and the behavioral reasons that can be very well implicated in the presentation
this clinical case. On visiting the sex therapist, the practioners explores the other social and
the behavioral history that has influenced and affected the relationship of Pete and Paula in a
very negative manner and it is highly important to understand that the reactions and the
responses from the female partner in the relationship that is Paula being aggressive and very
much negative towards Pete when he is not being able to hold an erection and physically
pleasure her has resulted in a lot of complicated problems in their relationships and in one
instance, Pete has also moved out of the house that made Paula angry to a very great extent

PSYCHOLOGY
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and this lead to further disruption. On more interviewing, Paula revealed that Pete and she
has different choices in life and by this, she mentioned that both of them have different
preferences in life pertaining to friends and hobbies. While it is very important to understand
that Pete is more outgoing, extravert, like games and partying with his friend while on the
other hand, Paula is more reserved and introvert in nature and she likes to spend time alone in
the museums and by going to theaters to watch the shows and other than these she likes to
spend her time with Pete. As he is busy with his friends and do not have that much of time for
her, it is pretty evident that there is a difference of opinions between these two partners and
various personality, trait, behavior and gender related issues are equally involved in different
proportions in the relationship psychology of this case. Paula feels more alone and insecure
without him which might be a possibility and as she continuously hits and strikes Pete when
there is this mentioned sexual dysfunction that is erectile dysfunction and he is unable to
erect himself once again even though he tells to his partner that he is sexually turned by his
partner. She strikes him in the chest and gets aggressive when he fails to pleasure her and in
addition to physical abuse of Pete, she also screams badly at him which another sign of overt
aggression. The personality differences between the two and Paula’s dominating attitude
might have resulted in diminishing of confidence the male partner and as a result, under the
pressure of performing well sexually, he might be having male erectile disorder. Another
very important point mentioned in the case study is that he sits at home watching and getting
absorbed in the sports and he also loves playing basketball and the fact that is not fond of him
playing and watching the games has resulted in more conflicts and she being involved in
physical abuse and aggressive verbal communication with the partner has triggered an
absence in Pete and despite his trials to correct his erectile dysfunction repeatedly and
attempts to sustain an erection, he is still failing and then, he is disinterested, lost his desires
and unable to start an erection again. It is very clear that there is a gap between the mindsets