Sexual Motivation

The Biology of Desire Hormones and Sexual Response Arousal and Orgasm Testosterone is associated with sexual activity Sexual Activity is associated with testosterone Arousal and Orgasm Alfred Kinsey Pioneer of sexual research dispelling myths about women’s sexuality. Women and men are alike in their anatomy and sexuality. Women have a lesser sexual capacity due to biology

The Biology of Desire II Arousal and Orgasm (continued) Masters and Johnson Confirmed male and female similarities in biology Identified Four Phases of Human Sexual Response Cycle (see following slides Excitement Plateau Orgasm Resolution Women’s capacity for sexual response “infinitely surpassed that of men. They overestimate women’s capacity while Kinsey underestimated Debates about biological differences continue today between biological and environmental psychologists

Evolution and Sex Sex is adaptive to the species survival Males compete for fertile young females to continue species. Females try to attach to dominate males with resources, status, and “superior” genes. Critique of Evolutionary View After the fact argument of a stereotype Women have sex even when they aren’t ovulating What people say and what they do differ Mate choice is often just proximity and similarity

The Psychology of Desire Brain as a sex organ Perception Many Motives for Sex Enhancement (emotional satisfaction and pleasure) Intimacy (emotional closeness with the partner) Coping (dealing with negative emotions) Self-affirmation (reassurance) Partner Approval (desire to please or appease) Peer Approval (with to impress friends Extrinsic motives are more associated with high risk sexual behavior 50% women and 26% men reported consenting to unwanted sex (O’Sullivan & Allgeier, 1998) Peer pressure, fear of rejection, etc..

Sexual Coercion and Rape Laumann et. al., 1994 Study 25% women reported that a man- usually a husband or boyfriend- had forced them to do something sexually that they did not want to. 3% of men reported they had ever forced a women into a sexual act. Obviously what many women regard as coercion is not always seen as coercive by men How do you explain these findings? What motivates individuals to rape? Peer approval, anger or desire to dominate, personality traits, sadistic pleasure, etc…

The Culture of Desire Culture Influences are Sexual Desire Kissing Body Parts as Erotic Joyful or Dirty How does your culture influence our desire? Sexual Scripts Gender Roles- rules that determine proper attitudes and behavior for men and women Sexual Scripts are sets of implicit rules that specify proper sexual behavior for a person in a given situation, varying with the person’s age, culture, and gender. What are the sexual scripts of your culture?

Sexual Dysfunction Definition- Impairment either in the desire for sexual gratification or in the ability to achieve it. Four Phases of Human Sexual Response Excitement / Desire Plateau Orgasm Resolution

Sexual Dysfunction: Prevalence Altogether 45% of men and 55% of women reported some dysfunction during the last year. Women 33% report lack of sexual interest 24% report inability to experience orgasm Men 29% reported climaxing to early 17% reported sexual anxiety 16% reported lack of sexual interest

Sexual Disorders Sexual Desire Disorders Hypoactive, Sexual Aversion Sexual Arousal Disorders Male Erectile Disorder- Persistent or recurrent inability to attain, or maintain until completion of the sexual activity, an adequate erection. Female Sexual Arousal Disorder- Attain or maintain lubrication. Orgasmic Disorders Premature Ejaculation- Persistent and recurrent onset of orgasm and ejaculation with minimal sexual stimulation, occurring before, at, or shortly after penetration and before the man wants it to. Female Orgasmic Disorder- Persistent or recurrent delay in or absence of orgasm following a normal sexual excitement phase. Sexual Pain Disorders Vaginismus- involuntary spasms of the musculature of the outer third of the vagina that interferes with sexual intercourse