AP Psych. Sexual Motivation

The Physiology of Sex
Masters and Johnson describe the 4 stages in the human response cycle
1. Excitement
2. Plateau
3. Orgasm
4. Resolution
During the resolution phase, males experience a refectory period
After renewed arousal and orgasm impossible
Sexual disorders
Problems that consistently impair sexual arousal or functioning
Premature ejaculation
Female orgasmic disorder
Erectile disorder
Successfully treated by behaviorally oriented therapy
Assumes that people learn and can modify their sexual responses
Drug therapy
Hormones and Sexual Behavior
Sex hormones testosterone and estrogen
Present in both male and females
Males have a higher level of testosterone
Females have a higher level of estrogen
These hormones help our bodies develop and function as either male or female
Nonhuman animals, these hormones also help stimulate sexual activity
Hormones have a looser influence on human sexual behavior
Desire does rise slightly at ovulation among women with mates
Women’s sexuality is more responsive to testosterone level that to estrogen level
Short term shifts in testosterone level are normal in men
The Psychology of Sex
Erotic material and other external stimuli can trigger sexual arousal in both men and women
The activated brain areas differ somewhat
Sexually explicit material may lead people to perceive their partners as comparatively less appealing and to devalue their relationship.
Sexually coercive material tends to increase viewers’ acceptance of rape and violence towards women.
Combination with the internal hormonal push and the external pull of sexual stimuli
Fantasies influence sexual arousal
Adolescent Sexuality
Adolescents’ physical maturation fosters a sexual dimension to their emerging identity
Rates of teen intercourse vary from culture to culture
In the twentieth century sexual activity increased in North America
Increased rates of adolescent pregnancies
Factors contributing to teen pregnancy include ignorance of the potential consequences of sexual activity
Guilt related to sexual activity
I. Minimal communication about contraception with parents, partners and peers
II. Alcohol use
III. Mass media norms of unprotected promiscuity
Sexually Transmitted Infections
STI
Sexually Transmitted Infections
I. Human papilloma virus
II. Aids
Spread rapidly
People under the age of 25 account for two thirds of such infections
Teen girls seem especially vulnerable, because of their
I. Less mature bodies
II. Lower levels of protective antibodies
Attempts to protect teens through comprehensive sex-education programs
Includes greater emphasis on teen
I. Abstinence
II. High intelligence
III. Religiosity
IV. Father presence
V. Participation in service learning programs
Tend to be predictors of teen sexual restraint
Sexual Orientation
Studies indicate that about 3 to 4 percent of men and 1 to 2 percent of women are homosexual
Sexual orientation is enduring
Reaserch does not support cause-effect links between homosexuality and any of the following
I. A child’s relationship with parents
II. Father-absent homes
III. Fear or hatred of people of the other gender
IV. Childhood sexual experiences
V. Peer relationships
VI. Dating experiences
Evidence supporting the likelihood of a biological component of homosexuality is found in studies of same sex behavior in several hundred species
Straight-gay difference in
I. body and brain characteristics
II. genetic studies of family members
III. twins
IV. the effect of exposure to certain hormones during certain periods of prenatal development
The increasing public perception that sexual orientation is biologically influenced is reflected in increasing acceptance of gays and lesbians and their relationships
Sex and Human Values
Scientific research on sexual motivation does not attempt to define the personal meaning of sex in our lives
Sex research and education are not value free
Some say that researchers and educators should therefore openly acknowledge their sex related values
Recognizing the emotional significance of sexual expression