Introduction

 1.) Drive Theories- We engage in activities to reduce an internal state of tension. ◦ How does this relate to sex?  2.) Incentive Theories – External stimuli regulate motivational states ◦ In other words, we are motivated by external goals (incentives) ◦ How does this relate to sex?

 What happens to us physically during sex  Sexual Response cycle can be divided into 4 stages:  1.) Excitement Phase  2.) Plateau Phase  3.) Orgasm  4.) Resolution Phase

 Level of physical arousal escalates rapidly  Muscle tension, respiration, heart rate, and blood pressure increase  Vasocongestion – engorgement of blood vessels ◦ In males = ◦ In females =

 Arousal continues to build, at a slower pace

 Sexual arousal reaches peak intensity and is discharged through series of muscle contractions that pulsate through pelvic area  Male/Female differences  Possible reasons for differences

 Physiological changes produced by sexual arousal gradually subside Men Experience Refractory Period- Time during which males are largely unresponsive to further stimulation

 Parental Investment Theory – Refers to what each sex has to invest in terms of time, energy, survival, and risk to produce and nurture offspring ◦ What does theory say about males? ◦ What does theory say about females?

 How would men act if left to own devices?  Females demand long term commitments before consenting to sex  Men- emphasis on youthfulness and attractiveness  Women- Emphasis on intelligence, ambition, education, income, social status

 Ratio of the circumference of the waist to that of the hips  Devendra Singh noticed that males are attracted to WHR of.70 (or “hourglass figure”  What did he do in his study?  Why.70?

 Class viewpoints  Some researchers believe culture could play a role

 Which gender shows more interest in sex?  Which gender thinks about sex more?  Which gender initiate sex more?  Which gender has more frequent and varied sexual fantasies?  Which gender rates sex drive as higher?  Which gender spends more money on sexual entertainment?

 A research study asked college aged males and females the ideal number of sex partners they would like to have over lifetime  Results:  Males =  Females =  Obvious problem with these self-report studies ◦ “double standard”

Clark and Hatfield Demo

 In the first portion of study, average looking men approached college aged female strangers and asked if they would come back to apartment to have sex  In the second portion, average looking women approached college aged male strangers and asked if they would come back to apartment to have sex  What percentage of women said yes?  What percentage of men said yes?

 Sexual Orientation- Person’s preference for emotional and sexual relationships with individuals of same sex, other sex, or both sexes.  Most people view it as all or none  Kinsey belief ◦ Why did he believe this?

 No one knows exactly for sure  Reasons for difficulty:  Number of homosexuals seems to comprise about 5-8% of population  Seems more fluid in women

 ***Remarkably little support***  Freud- child becomes homosexual when raised by a weak, ineffectual father who is poor role model and by overprotective mother whom boy identifies.  Behaviorists – Homosexuality is a learned preference

 1990’s- Bailey and Pillard studied gay men with a twin or adopted brother: ◦ 52% of identical twins gay ◦ 22% of fraternal gay ◦ 11% of adopted children gay  Other research is suggesting that the organizing effects of prenatal hormones shape sexual development

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 Alcohol and substance abuse  Pornography consumption  Negative attitudes towards opposite gender