1 Sexual Motivation Module 27

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3 Motivation Sexual Motivation Overview  The Physiology of Sex  The Psychology of Sex  Adolescent Sexuality  Sexual Orientation  Sex and Human Values  The Need to Belong

4 Sexual Motivation  Sex  a physiologically based motive (testosterone, limbic system, pheromones)  but it is affected by learning and values

5 Sexual Motivation  Same drives, different attitudes

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Men’s Porn …is visual, anatomical, impulsive, floridly promiscuous, and devoid of context and character. Men fantasize about copulating with bodies…. Dr. Pinker in Better Angels of Our Nature 8

Women’s Erotica …far more likely to be verbal, psychological, reflective, serially monogamous, and rich in context and character. Women fantasize about making love to people… Dr. Pinker in Better Angels of Our Nature 9

The contrast The contrasts between romance novels and porn videos are so numerous and profound that they can make one marvel that men and women ever get together at all, much less stay together and successfully rear children. Dr. Pinker in Better Angels of Our Nature 10

Guys… Have you read 50 Shades of Gray? Were you disappointed? 11

For the articles ….right? 12

13 Sexual Motivation

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15 The Physiology of Sex Masters and Johnson (1966) describe the human sexual response cycle as consisting of four phases: PhasePhysiological Response Excitement Genitals become engorged with blood. Vagina expands secretes lubricant. Penis enlarges. Plateau Excitement peaks breathing, pulse and blood pressure, continue to increase Orgasm Contractions all over the body. Increase in breathing, pulse & blood pressure. Sexual release. Resolution Engorged genitals release blood. Male goes through refractory phase. Women resolve slower.

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17 Adapted from W.H. Masters and E.E. Johnson, Human Sexual Response, p. 5 (Boston: Little, Brown, & Company, 1966). Reprinted by permission from Masters and Johnson Institute. The Sexual Response Cycle

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19 Vaginal plethismograph

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

27 Hormones and Sexual Behavior Sex hormones effect the development of sexual characteristics and (especially in animals) activate sexual behavior. MaleTestes Testosterone (Small amounts of estrogen) Female Ovaries Adrenals Estrogen (Small amounts of testosterone)

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29 Estrogen Female animals “in heat” express peak levels of estrogen. Female receptivity in animals 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.

30 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.

31 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.

32 External Stimuli Men become sexually aroused when browsing through erotic material. However, women experience similar heightened arousal with similar material.

33 Imagined Stimuli Our imagination 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

34 Adolescent Sexuality When individuals reach adolescence, their sexual behavior develops. However, there are cultural differences. Sexual promiscuity in modern Western culture is much greater than in Arab countries and other Asian countries.

35 Contraception 1.Ignorance: Many do not have the right ideas about birth control methods. 2.Guilt Related to Sexual Activity: Guilt reduces sexual activity, but it also reduces the use of contraceptives. 3.Minimal Communication: Many teenagers feel uncomfortable discussing contraceptives. 4.Alcohol Use: Those who use alcohol prior to sex are less likely to use contraceptives. 5.Mass Media: The media’s portrayal of unsafe extramarital sex decreases the use of contraceptives.

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38 STDs Roughly 1 in 4 individuals will get an STD in their lifetime. “This class of infections is second only to the common cold in frequency.” –Sharon S. Hutchins, Ph.D., MPH »Epidemiologist »Community Assessment, Planning and Evaluation (CAPE) Unit »Stanislaus County Health Services Agency/Public Health

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42 1.High Intelligence: Teens with higher intelligence are likely to delay sex. 2.Religiosity: Religious teens and adults often reserve sex for a marital commitment. 3.Father Presence: A father’s absence from home can contribute to higher teen sexual activity. 4.Learning Programs: Teens who volunteer and tutor in community projects are less likely to engage in unsafe sex. Factors that reduce sexual activity in teens.

43 What about “purity” rings… 82 percent of those who had taken a pledge had retracted their promises There was no significant difference in the proportion of students in both groups who had engaged in any type of sexual activity.

44 Sexual Orientation Sexual orientation refers to a person’s preference for emotional and sexual relationships with individuals of the same sex, the other sex, and/or either sex. HomosexualHeterosexual Bisexual

45 Sexual Orientation Statistics In Europe and America, based on many national surveys, homosexuality in men is 3-4% and in women is 1-2%. As members of a minority, homosexuals often struggle with their sexual orientation.

46 Origins of Sexual Orientation Origins unclear

47 Genes & Sexual Orientation A number of studies suggest that homosexuality may be due to genetic factors. 1.Family: Homosexuality seems to run in families. 2.Twin studies: Homosexuality is more common in identical twins than fraternal twins. 3.Fruit flies: Genetic engineers can genetically manipulate females to act like males during courtship and males to act like females.

48 Sexual Orientation: Biology

49 Changing Attitudes

50 Homophobic tweets

51 Sex and Human Values “Promiscuous recreational sex poses certain psychological, social, health, and moral problems that must be faced realistically” (Baumrind, 1982). Andreanna Seymore/ Getty Images

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56 The Need to Belong “[Man] is a social animal,” (Aristotle). Separation from others increases our need to belong. “Cast Away,” Tom Hanks, suffers from social starvation. 20 th Century Fox/ Dreamworks/ The Kobal Collection

57 Aiding Survival Social bonds boosted our ancestors’ survival rates. 1.Protecting against predators. 2.Procuring food, hunting and gathering 3.Come together to reproduce the next offspring, and nurture young.

58 Belongingness 1.Wanting to Belong: We spend a lot of time thinking about real and imagined relationships 2.Social Acceptance: A sense of belonging with others increases our self-esteem. Social segregation decreases it. 3.Maintaining Relationships: We resist breaking social bonds 4.Ostracism: Social exclusion leads to demoralization, depression, and at times nasty behavior.

59 EXPLORING PSYCHOLOGY (7th Edition in Modules) David Myers PowerPoint Slides Aneeq Ahmad Henderson State University Worth Publishers, © 2008