Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter 9 Sexual Expression

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sexual Expression A complex process through which we reveal our sexual selves Involves behaviors and feelings Research relies upon self reports which may be problematic

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sexual Attractiveness Characteristics of what is “attractive” vary across cultures, but two universals emerge –Youthfulness –Health Theories proposed by evolutionary psychologists can be difficult to test

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. A Cross-cultural Analysis Various cultures emphasize: –The eyes –Height and weight –Size and shape of genitals American ideals of beauty not universal –Breasts not erotic in several cultures –Plump women preferred over thin women in majority of cultures –Gender –Ethnicity

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sexual Strategies Theory: Buss Males and females differ in preferred traits in partners Males and females have different strategies of commitment Differences exist due to differences in reproductive investment and reproductive physiology

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. The Halo Effect Attractive people assumed to be more sexual and permissive Can create a self-fulfilling prophecy Expectation creates the desired outcome

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sexual Desire Can exist separately from physical sexual expression Very little scientific research in this area Desire is influenced by two factors: –Erotophilia: a more positive emotional response toward sexuality-related situations –Erotophobia: a more negative emotional response toward sexuality-related situation

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sexual Scripts Organize our sexual expressions Scripts have 3 main components: –Cultural –Intrapersonal –Interpersonal

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Cultural Scripting Provides the general pattern of expected sexual behaviors Tells us which behaviors are acceptable (moral or normal) and which are unacceptable (immoral or abnormal) Individual views may not match cultural views of erotic

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Scripting Intrapersonal: Focus on the internal and physiological states that are associated with sexual arousal Interpersonal: Involves the shared conventions and signals that enable two people to engage in sexual behaviors

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Autoeroticism Sexual activities that do not involve a partner Sexual fantasies and dreams Masturbation

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Functions of Fantasies Define and direct erotic goals Anticipate and prepare for erotic situations Provide pleasurable escape Safe way to introduce novelty Clues to the unconscious mind

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Gender and Sexual Fantasies Leitenberg and Henning (1995) Notable differences in sexual fantasies of men and women consistent across orientation –Men’s: more active, focusing on fantasy partner’s body, explicit sexual acts, physical gratification –Women’s: more passive, focusing on partner’s interest in own body, emotional content, romance

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Erotic Dreams Dreams can accompany nocturnal orgasm for men and women Dream content may not be overtly sexual Content of dreams cannot be controlled and often runs the gamut of sexual possibilities

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Masturbation Most men and women masturbate for several reasons Relaxation Relief of sexual tension Partner not available Physical pleasure Aid to falling asleep A way to avoid STIs and HIV

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Masturbation Attitudes towards masturbation vary along ethnic, cultural, and religious lines Latino and Black cultures are generally less accepting than White culture Prevalence of masturbation is correlated with education, ethnicity, and religion

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Masturbation An important means of learning about our bodies Not necessarily a substitute for interpersonal sexual activity A legitimate form of activity in its own right

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Masturbation Across the Lifespan Children and adolescents masturbate and non-judgmental parental reaction can be important Women and masturbation Men and masturbation Masturbation and marriage

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sexual Behavior with Others Touching –pleasuring –tribidism –interfemoral intercourse Kissing Oral-genital sex –cunnilingus –fellatio Vaginal intercourse Anal eroticism –analingus –anal intercourse

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Touching A sign of caring and signal for arousal The entire body is responsive to touch and caresses Genital touch is one of many forms of this type of pleasuring –Pleasuring (Masters and Johnson)

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Kissing Usually our earliest interpersonal sexual experience –First kiss is often a milestone –The most widely accepted of all premarital sexual activities Lips are highly sensitive to touch and highly erotic

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Oral-Genital Sex Became part of more Americans’ sexual scripts in the 20 th century Cunnilingus: the erotic stimulation of a woman’s vulva and/or clitoris by her partner’s mouth and tongue Fellatio: the oral stimulation of a man’s penis by his partner’s sucking and licking

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Oral-Genital Sex Incidence: 70-90% report engaging in oral sex over the course of their lifetime Attitude towards genitals and sex can affect their comfort with oral sex Reduce risk of STI and HIV with latex barriers Ejaculation and semen –Preference –Risk

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sexual Intercourse A source of pleasure, communication, and love Positions STIs Tantric

Copyright ©2008 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Anal Eroticism Analingus: Oral–anal contact Anal manual activities Anal intercourse: insertion of a penis into anus Individuals of all sexual orientations engage in anal eroticism