Sex Drive and Motivation

Sexual Motivation Sexual motivation is nature’s clever way of making people procreate, enabling our species to survive. To understand sexual motivation and sexual problems, we must consider both the internal and external stimuli.

The Physiology of Sex Masters and Johnson study (1966): 382 female, 312 male volunteers observed in a lab setting during masturbation and sexual intercourse. Four Stage Sexual Response Cycle: Excitement Plateau Orgasmic Resolution

The Physiology of Sex Male Testes Testosterone Female Ovaries Adrenals Sex hormones have two effects: direct the physical development of sexual characteristics activate sexual behavior. Male Testes Testosterone (Small amounts of estrogen) Female Ovaries Adrenals Estrogen (Small amounts of testosterone)

Origins of Sexual Orientation Homosexuality is more likely based on biological factors like differing brain centers, genetics, and prenatal hormone exposure rather than environmental factors.

Sexual Orientation May Be Genetic Family: Homosexuality seems to run in families. Twin studies: Homosexuality is more common in identical twins than fraternal twins. Fruit flies: Genetic engineers can genetically manipulate fruit flies and affect their sexual attractiveness displays. (for more info on this, check out the extended classroom blog)

The Psychology of Sex 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.

The Psychology of Sex The Psychology of Sex Biology: Sexual maturity Hormones Psychological: Exposure to stimulating conditions Sexual fantasies Social-Cultural: Family and Society values Cultural Expectations Religious values

Sexual Problems Generally 2 types: Sexual dysfunction Paraphilias problems with sexual arousal or orgasm Paraphilias also known as deviations atypical sexual arousal to objects, situations, or individuals

Sexual Dysfunction For men: For women: Erectile dysfunction Orgasmic disorders (inability) Premature ejaculation Causes: Organic factors – medical conditions or drug interactions Psychological factors – performance anxiety, depression, sexual trauma, etc.

Paraphilias Very debatable: no clear border between what is a personal preference and what is paraphilic. Cause is also unknown, however: Sexual habits earlier in life Conditioning Fetal estrogen exposure

Acrotomophilia: love of (or sexual attraction to) amputees  Amaurophilia: sexual arousal by being blindfolded. Coprophilia: sexual attraction to (or pleasure from) feces  Dendrophilia: sexual attraction to trees   Emetophilia: sexual attraction to vomit  Hebephilia: sexual attraction towards adolescents  Eproctophilia: sexual attraction to flatulence  Exhibitionism: arousal from having sex in view of third parties Frotteurism: touching or rubbing against a non-consenting person  Gerontophilia: sexual attraction towards the elderly  Harpaxophilia: sexual arousal from being the victim of a robbery Necrophilia: sexual attraction to corpses  Retifism: sexual arousal from shoes  Spectrophilia: sexual attraction to ghosts  Vorarephilia: sexual attraction to being eaten by another person Voyeurism: sexual arousal through watching others having sex Zoosadism: the sexual enjoyment of causing pain to animals  + 532 more!

Where do our desires come from?

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.

External Stimuli Research says – YES! In studies, both men and women become sexually aroused when browsing through erotic material. Can sexually explicit material have adverse effects on its viewers? Research says – YES!

External Stimuli Depictions of aggression towards women + female enjoyment = increased male viewer willingness to be sexually aggressive. After viewing sexually explicit images or videos, men and women report: Feeling less attracted to and less satisfied with their own sexual partner.

Sex Addiction Estimated 3-6% of Americans Criteria: Lack of Control Preoccupation Emotional/Social consequences Tolerance/Dependance Excessive Risk

Sex Addiction Often family history of dysfunction ¾ of recovering addicts were abused sexually or physically as children ½ come from rigid or disengaged family life Approx 40% had at least one chemically dependant parent

Sex Addiction Treatment Recovery Goal is not abstinence but moderation SSRIs (anti-depressants like Prozac or Zoloft) Anti-Androgens (lowers testosterone) Therapy Recovery may take as many as 2-3 years because of social stigma and financial woes

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