Sexual Motivation

Physiology of Sex Sexual response cycle – 4 phase experience  Excitement – preparation  Plateau – peak of excitement  Conception possible  Orgasm – highest levels of respiration, pulse, and blood pressure  Designed to give best chance of conception  Resolution – returning to normal  Refractory period – time necessary to recover before orgasm is possible again Hormones  Direct physical development & activate sexual behavior  Women – estrogen peaks at ovulation  Men – more constant hormone levels  Changing hormone levels lead to changes in sexual behaviors

Physiology of Sex  Sexual Disorders  Lack of sexual energy and arousability  Males – premature ejaculation & erectile dysfunction  Females – orgasmic disorder

Psychology  Different from hunger – not a need  External stimuli  Affects views of experience and possibly attractiveness of partner  Imagined stimuli  Men fantasize more than women

Adolescent Sexuality Teen Pregnancy  Rates higher in US than Europe  Poverty often accompanies unplanned pregnancy  Media representations  How does the media portray unprotected sex? Pre-marital sex?  Sexually Transmitted Infections  Condoms don’t protect against all STI’s

Adolescent Sexuality Teen Pregnancy  Alcohol  Altered state of consciousness  Lack of judgment  loss of inhibitions  openness to suggestibility  Lack of Communication  Who would you be willing to talk to?  Leads to ignorance  Ignorance  Don’t know the facts  Peer pressure  Guilt  Don’t want to be seen as sexually active so don’t take precautions

Adolescent Sexuality Teen Pregnancy  Predictors of sexual restraint:  High intelligence  Religiosity  Father presence  Volunteer program participation

Sexual Orientation  Homosexual  Attracted to one’s own gender  Statistics suggest that less than 5% of the population is homosexual  Heterosexual  Attracted to the opposite sex  Dominant orientation in all cultures

Supporting Research for Sexual Orientation Not Supported by Research  Relationship with parents  No-father at home  Fear of opposite gender  Childhood sexual experiences  Peer relationships  Dating experience Supported by Research  Biological influence supported by  Many species show similar occurrences of behaviors  Differences in brain chemistry  Genetic studies  Exposure to certain hormones during critical periods

Acceptance of Homosexuality  As research suggests that homosexuality is biologically induced and NOT a lifestyle choice:  More people are accepting of homosexuality  Greater appearance in mainstream media  Equality in society  Not in marriage or the military (2012 elections)