ROPI- Orgasm Inventory

Evolutionary Psychology: Development and Initial Psychometric Assessment of the reasons for Pretending Orgasm Inventory
Mark G. McCoy, Dept. of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA
(Corresponding Author) Lisa L. M. Welling, Dept. of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA
Todd K. Shackelford, Dept. of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA

Nina Wells – Course Code: 75716 – March 4, 2015

Evolutionary Psychology: Development and Initial Psychometric Assessment of the reasons for Pretending Orgasm Inventory
For my secondary summary of a peer reviewed scholarly journal article assignment I will be going over some information under the scope of evolutionary psychology. I will be shedding light upon the development and initial psychometric assessment of the reasons for pretending orgasm inventory. In abstract I will be discussing topics such as but not limited to the following, female orgasm, pretending orgasm, human mating, sexual behaviors, and sexual deception. Authors Mark G. McCoy, Lisa L. M. Welling (corresponding author), and Todd K. Shackelford, all from the Department of Psychology at Oakland University in Rochester, MI, state that women pretend orgasm with their partners as a mate retention strategy (McCoy, 2015). For those of you who do not know what mate retention strategies are it is often categorized as a determination of one person to keep another person with them as a couple. However, they also confirm that their research has its limitations. Authors Christopher J/ Holden and Virgil Zeigier-Hill also cover similar topics in their article based on personality features and mate retention strategies (Holden, 2014).
Now that we have covered the basics, let’s jump into details. During the female orgasm, the uterus contracts thus increasing the odds of fertilization by creating a suction like occurrence. It has been shown that if a female does have an orgasm during sexual intercourse after male sperm has been released, it is more likely for the female individual to get impregnated after sexual interaction. This has been researched and it is proven that during the copulatory orgasm process the female vagina creates a vacuum or suction like occurrence. This is called “upsuck”. If the female does not orgasm during intercourse, after the male sperm has been released, then more sperm is lost during “flowback” (Baker, 1995). Simply put if the vagina stays relaxed more sperm count is likely to secret from vaginal region. On a side note, female orgasms happen more frequently from oral sexual activity rather than sexual intercourse activity. Furthermore, most female ejaculation occurs through self-penetration, or masturbation (Brewer, 2011). This is mainly due to self-actualization, the self-awareness aspect and the feeling of seeming less vulnerable.
Both men and women have their cognitive reasoning for pretending copulatory orgasm. Majority of men state that the pretend orgasm inventory is mostly due to contexts of intoxication. Another main reasoning why men pretend to orgasm is due to previous ejaculation from earlier that day. Recent research indicates that women who pretend orgasm perceive that they do not have a sufficiently high quality partner who provides a good reproductive and/or genetic match to them suggesting to them that orgasm functions promote good mate selection. Women pretend orgasm as a mate retention strategy because majority of males fret over making their partners satisfied in bed in a sexual manor. To men this is shown through the ability to produce orgasms. Women pretend orgasm to keep their partner invested in the relationship. It is also identified that pretend copulatory orgasm is an important factor or function in order to retain a mate. It is also an important facet of male partner satisfaction. Women who appear to have more copulatory orgasms have partners with greater self-reported relationship satisfaction compared to women who do not appear to orgasm frequently. Thus providing the proof that the ability to successfully pretend to orgasm may be one tool women can use to retain a mate (Kaighobadi, 2012).
RPOI and YSEX1
There are three basic reasons for someone to fake an orgasm, rather in a long term relationship or a sudden fling. Top reason, reason number one would be because of the partners experience. Secondary reason would be deception and/or manipulation and the third basic reason would be to simply hide ones interest in sexual experiences. YSEX is an acronym for Why Humans Have Sex Inventory. An acronym is an abbreviation formed from the initial components in a phrase or a word. Usually these components are individual letters or parts of words or names. There are broad currents of consensus but no universal standardization of various names for such abbreviations and of their orthographic styling. In English and most other languages, such abbreviations historically had limited use, but they became much more common in the 20th century. Acronyms are a type of word formation process, and they are viewed as a subtype of blending. YSEX assess the reasons why people engage in sexual activity and sexual intercourse. There are four subcategories or domains within YSEX; insecurity, emotional reasons, physical reasons, and last but not least, goal attainment.

Insecurity
This is listed as one of the first domains in RPOI Matrix under YSEX because all humans have some type of insecurity, rather it be from context, during connection or within the self. Some insecurity is a natural part of our cognitive processes during life, and most certainly during sexual activity or sexual intercourse. Insecurities arise mainly when an individual feels vulnerable. People are tend to also have an emotional response of vulnerability, which is within itself a form of insecurity, during sexual activity. This correlates with our next domain, Emotional reasoning for having sex.
Emotional Aspect. We demonstrate and harbor emotions during our ADL’s2 so it is no wonder why there is a definite emotional reasoning behind why humans engage in sexual activity. Humans live their lives based on emotional responses. Emotions are definitely present during an intimate setting such as sexual activity. Sexual activity is has a sense of emotional connection between one individual and the other, this may lead to the main reason for physical reasons in YSEX in RPOI correlation Matrix. Having sexual intercourse or sexual activity with an individual can leave both partners feeling vulnerable and this often leads to an emotional connection rather brief or lifelong. Some people use sexual activity as a form of emotional outlet. As previously stated we can harbor emotions and thus if something builds for too long it will need some form of release. Others may use sex to numb their emotions. This leads the individual to escape responsibilities of reality for that moment in time. Humans have also been known to engage in sexual activity due to the euphoric emotional response during orgasm or the process before reaching orgasm. Some see sex as an emotional urge while others might see it as a more physical yearning. This leads us into the third domain of YSEX.
Physical Aspect. There are many physical reasons why humans mate. Physical attraction, physical outlet, reproduction, to experience physical euphoric pleasure and human connection. Sexual activity requires a sustainable amount of mandatory connection physically, mentally and emotionally. Sex can be very a pleasurable stress reliever or relaxation technique. However, this can also lead to sexual activity addictive behaviors. This can be cause by the euphoric aftermath effects of an orgasm during sexual activity. It has to be said, that every person on earth needs human touch, this is necessary for all cultures and demographics. Repopulation before technology would not be possible if it wasn’t for physical sexual intercourse. (McCoy, 2015)
Goal Attainment. Our fourth domain is a little less obvious as a category. Using sexual activities to attain a goal is commonly achieved in the porn industry. That industry profits billions each year. Their goal is definitely attained. I am pretty certain that not all orgasms filmed through the pornography industry are real. This correlates with our study on YSEX and RPOI. Another way to achieve goal attainment would be to sleep with your boss to get a raise, this can also be used as blackmail, sexual deception or manipulation in some contexts. (Baker, 1995)

References
Baker, R. R. (1995). Human Sperm Competetion. Evoluntionary Psychology, 13, 135.
Brewer, G. a. (2011). Evidence to suggest that copulatory vocalizations in women are not a reflexive consequence of orgasm. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 40, 559-564.
Holden, C. J. (2014). Personality Features and Mate Retention Strategies: Honesty Humility, and the Willingness to Manipulate, Decieve, and Exploit Romantic Partners. Personality and Individual Differences, 57, 31-36.
Kaighobadi, F. S.-S. (2012). Do Women Pretend Orgasm to Retain a Mate? Archives of Sexual Behaviors, 1121-1125.
McCoy, M. G. (2015). Development and InitialPsychometric Assesment of the Reasons for Pretending Orgasm Inventory. Evolutionary Psychology, 129-139.
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acronym

References: Baker, R. R. (1995). Human Sperm Competetion. Evoluntionary Psychology, 13, 135. Brewer, G. a. (2011). Evidence to suggest that copulatory vocalizations in women are not a reflexive consequence of orgasm. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 40, 559-564. Holden, C. J. (2014). Personality Features and Mate Retention Strategies: Honesty Humility, and the Willingness to Manipulate, Decieve, and Exploit Romantic Partners. Personality and Individual Differences, 57, 31-36. Kaighobadi, F. S.-S. (2012). Do Women Pretend Orgasm to Retain a Mate? Archives of Sexual Behaviors, 1121-1125. McCoy, M. G. (2015). Development and InitialPsychometric Assesment of the Reasons for Pretending Orgasm Inventory. Evolutionary Psychology, 129-139. Wikipedia. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acronym