Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Chapter Eight Individual and Interpersonal Sexual Behaviors

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Erotophilia and Erotophobia Erotophilia The propensity to have very positive views of, and emotional responses to, sexuality. Erotophobia The propensity to have very negative views of, and emotional responses to, sexuality.

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Virginity, Chastity, Celibacy, and Abstinence - 1 Virginity Not having experienced sexual intercourse College undergraduates identified the following reasons for abstaining:  Relationship concerns  Fear  Personal values/beliefs  Self-concept issues

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Virginity, Chastity, Celibacy, and Abstinence - 2 Chastity The state of not having had sexual intercourse; also implies moral purity or virtuousness in both thought and conduct. Celibacy The condition of refraining from sexual intercourse, especially by reason of religious vows; also used to refer to being unmarried. Abstinence The condition of having refrained from having sexual intercourse.

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Virginity, Chastity, Celibacy, and Abstinence - 3 Voluntary Abstinence Foregoing sexual intercourse for a period of time by choice Involuntary Abstinence Not engaging in sexual intercourse for a period of time due to lack of a partner or restricted access to a partner Sexual Celibacy The state of not having sexual intercourse or activity

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Autoerotic Behavior - 1 Masturbation/Autoerotic Behavior A natural, common, and nonharmful means of sexual self-pleasuring that is engaged in by individuals of all ages, sexual orientations, and levels of functioning.

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Autoerotic Behavior - 2 Historical Origins of Negative Attitudes Toward Masturbation According to the literature on this subject, the roots of negative views of masturbation lie in  Religion  Medicine  Traditional psychotherapy

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Autoerotic Behavior - 3 Social Correlates of Masturbation  Sex: Adults ages who masturbated in the preceding year (Michael et al., 1994) -Men 60% -Women 40%  Race: Report of masturbating once a week (Lauman, et al. 1994) -White men 28%White women 7% -Hispanic men 24%Hispanic women 5% -Black men 17%Black women 11%  Education: Masturbation more likely among those with advanced degrees compared to those with less than a high school education

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Autoerotic Behavior - 4 Masturbation in Relationships  Myth: People who are married, cohabitating, or in established sexual relationships do not masturbate because they have a sexual partner.  Fact: People living with a partner do masturbate. Masturbation in Groups Also known as social masturbation, group masturbation involves three or more individuals masturbating together.

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Autoerotic Behavior - 5 Personal Choices: Is Masturbation for Me? The Pros and Cons of Masturbation Pros Self-knowledge Increased body comfort Orgasm more likely Pressure taken off partner No partner necessary Avoids risk of disease transmission or pregnancy Unique, pleasurable experience Helpful in maintaining sexual fidelity Useful in treatment of sexual dysfunctions Cons Feeling of being abnormal Strengthened attraction to inappropriate stimuli Guilt

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Autoerotic Behavior - 6 Personal Choices: Use a Vibrator? Vibrators, which are made in many sizes, shapes, and styles, are only one type of sex toy that some individuals use during masturbation and/or lovemaking with their partners. Using a vibrator can provide sexual pleasure and orgasm, especially for women who may have difficulty achieving orgasm through other means of stimulation.

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Sexual Fantasies, Sexual Cognitions, and Sexual Dreams - 1 Sexual Fantasies Cognitions that are sexual in nature. Sexual Cognition  Fleeting sexual thoughts or images  Elaborate and ongoing sexual fantasies  Sexual thoughts and fantasies that are engaged in deliberately  Sexual thoughts that are experienced as intrusive

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Sexual Fantasies, Sexual Cognitions, and Sexual Dreams - 2 Gender Differences in Sexual Fantasy and Cognition Both women and men experience sexual cognitions, but men report fantasizing more frequently than women. Sexual Dreams Virtually all men and about 70% of women have sexual dreams. Nocturnal Emission or Wet Dream An ejaculation that results from an erotic dream.

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Sexual Fantasies, Sexual Cognitions, and Sexual Dreams - 3 Nocturnal Penile Tumescence Erections that men commonly have during sleep Personal Choices: Share Your Sexual Fantasies/ Cognitions/Dreams with Your Partner?  Sharing one’s sexual cognitions and dreams with a partner can be an enjoyable experience and added dimension to a couple’s sexual intimacy.  Other people view sexual cognitions and dreams as private experiences rather than as experiences to be shared.

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Interpersonal Sexual Behaviors - 1 Touching Many people regard touching as the most significant aspect of sex. Kissing Breast Stimulation Although not all women derive erotic pleasure from breast stimulation, many women experience extreme pleasure in having their breasts stroked or sucked.

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Interpersonal Sexual Behaviors - 2 Penile Stimulation  Manual Stimulation: Touching and rubbing the penis manually  Oral Stimulation (fellatio): From the Latin fellare, meaning “to suck”

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Interpersonal Sexual Behaviors - 3 Sodomy Laws in the United States, July 2003

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Interpersonal Sexual Behaviors - 4 Clitoral Stimulation  Manual Stimulation: May be continued to orgasm or blend into oral sex or intercourse. A vibrator is sometimes used to enhance pleasure.  Oral Stimulation (cunnilingus): From the Latin, meaning “he who licks the vulva.” Involves the stimulation of the clitoris, labia, and vaginal opening of the woman by her partner’s tongue.

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Interpersonal Sexual Behaviors - 5 Anal Stimulation Fisting: Insertion of several fingers or an entire closed fist and forearm into a partner’s rectum and sometimes the lower colon. Analingus/Rimming Involves the licking of and/or insertion of the tongue into the partner’s anus.

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Interpersonal Sexual Behaviors - 6 Vaginal Intercourse/Sexual Intercourse/Coitus The sexual union of a man’s penis and a woman’s vagina. Positions for Intercourse  Man-on-Top Position  Woman-on-Top Position  Side-by-Side Position  Rear-Entry Position  Sitting Position  Standing Position  Variations

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Interpersonal Sexual Behaviors - 7 Anal Intercourse Anal intercourse, insertion of the penis into the partner’s anus, is the least practiced form of anal sex. More common anal sex techniques include stimulation of the anus with the fingers, hand, or mouth.

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Interpersonal Sexual Behaviors -8 Personal Choices: Considerations for Becoming Sexually Active with a New Partner  Personal Consequences  Partner Consequences  Relationship Consequences  Contraception and Pregnancy  HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases  The Influence of Alcohol/Other Drugs on Choices  Alternatives