Sexual Motivation and Social Affiliation Modules 39 and 40

Physiological Response The Physiology of Sex Masters and Johnson (1966) describe the human sexual response cycle as consisting of four phases: Phase Physiological Response Excitement Genitals become engorged with blood. Vagina expands secretes lubricant. Penis enlarges. Plateau Excitement peaks such as breathing, pulse and blood pressure. Orgasm Contractions all over the body. Increase in breathing, pulse & blood pressure. Sexual release. Resolution Engorged genital release blood. Male goes through refractory phase. Women resolve slower. Preview Question 8: What are the stages of the human sexual response cycle?

Sexual Problems Men generally suffer from two kinds of sexual problems: premature ejaculation and erectile disorder. Women may suffer from orgasmic disorders. These problems are not due to personality disorders and can be treated through behavior therapy and drugs such as Viagra.

Sexual Problems Paraphilias: Abnormal sexual impulses in which the person experiences sexual arousal Exhibitionism, fetishism, pedophilia DSM V classifies paraphilias as disordered IF: A person is distressed by their unusual sexual interest The sexual desire/behavior is harmful or potentially harmful to someone else

Hormones and Sexual Behavior Sex hormones effect the development of sexual characteristics and (especially in animals) activate sexual behavior. Male Testes Testosterone (Small amounts of estrogen) Female Ovaries Adrenals Estrogen (Small amounts of testosterone) Preview Question 9: How do sex hormones influence human sexual development and arousal?

Estrogen Female animals “in heat” express peak levels of estrogen. Female receptivity may be heightened with estrogen injections. Sex hormones may have milder affects on humans than on animals. Women are more likely to have sex when close to ovulation (increased testosterone), and men show increased testosterone levels when socializing with women.

Testosterone Levels of testosterone remain relatively constant in males, so it is difficult to manipulate and activate sexual behavior. Castration, which reduces testosterone levels, lowers sexual interest.

The Psychology of Sex Hunger responds to a need. If we do not eat, we die. In that sense, sex is not a need because if we do not have sex, we do not die. Preview Question 10: How do internal and external stimuli contribute to sexual arousal?

Erotic material can have adverse effects. External Stimuli It is common knowledge that men become sexually aroused when browsing through erotic material. However, women experience similar heightened arousal under controlled conditions. With repeated exposure, response to erotic stimuli usually lessens (habituation). Erotic material can have adverse effects.

Imagined Stimuli Our imagination in our brain can influence sexual arousal and desire. People with spinal cord injuries and no genital sensation can still feel sexual desire. Sotographs/The Gamma-Liaison Network/ Getty Images

The Need to Belong “[Man] is a social animal,” (Aristotle). Separation from others increases our need to belong. Preview Question 14: Why do some psychologists believe we have a need to belong-to affiliate with others? 20th Century Fox/ Dreamworks/ The Kobal Collection “Cast Away,” Tom Hanks, suffers from social starvation.

Aiding Survival Social bonds boosted our ancestors’ survival rates. These bonds led to the following: Protecting against predators, especially for the young. Procuring food. Reproducing the next offspring.

Belongingness Wanting to Belong: The need to belong colors our thinking and emotions. Combined with autonomy and competence we experience well-being and high self-esteem Social Acceptance: A sense of belonging with others increases our self-esteem. Social segregation decreases it. Maintaining Relationships: We resist breaking social bonds, even bad ones. Ostracism: Social exclusion leads to demoralization, depression, and at times nasty behavior.

Social Isolation Effects Insecure attachments in childhood show up later Insecure Anxious Attachment: craving acceptance but remaining vigilant to signs of objection Insecure Avoidant Attachment: discomfort over getting close to others that person avoids interaction Social isolation puts us at risk for mental and physical health decline

Social Isolation Effects Ostracism—social exclusion Brain interprets social ostracism as physical pain Tylenol lessens intensity of social pain (just like physical pain)

Effects of Social Networking Serves as a social amplifier Less likely to know real-life neighbors Diversified social networks Typically electronic communication users are less inhibited Can be positive or negative Generally reveal people’s true personalities Narcissism—promoted by social media’s focus on self, competition with others, accumulation of “friends” or followers