Myers’ PSYCHOLOGY (7th Ed) Chapter 12 Motivation James A. McCubbin, PhD Clemson University Worth Publishers

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Sexual Motivation  Sex  a physiologically based motive, like hunger, but it is more affected by learning and values  A large range of behaviors are considered “normal”  Stats  84% of U.S. married are faithful  96% during last year  90% of French couples had only one partner last year  90+% of U.S. disapprove of extramarital sex

Sexual Response Cycle the four stages of sexual responding described by Masters and Johnson Excitement Plateau Orgasm Resolution

Sexual Motivation  Refractory Period  resting period after orgasm, during which a man cannot achieve another orgasm (same as neuron)  Male’s longer than female  Time increases with age

Sexual Disorders zProblem with motivation, energy and arousal zPremature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction in men zOrgasmic disorder in women

Hormones and Sexual Behavior  Direct the development of male/female characteristic and in other mammals activate sexual behavior  Estrogen  Testosterone  Hormone fluctuation  Day to day have little effect on male drive  Shift over long time affect both genders  Hormone preclusion (due to drugs or physical damage) results in lower drive  Influence through the thalamus

Forces Affecting Sexual Motivation

Stimuli zExternal yBoth genders are aroused yThose disturbed by it tend to avoid it yRepeated exposure can lessen effect yCan have adverse effect z Imagined yBrain is the most important sex organ y 95% admit to fantasies yMen more physical yWomen more emotional

Sexual Motivation  Same drives, different attitudes

Adolescent Sexuality zReasons for teen pregnancy yIgnorance of birth control methods yGuilt related to sexual activity yMinimal communication about birth control yAlcohol use yMass media norms zStats yThose not having sex have higher esteem y65% of new STI’s occur in those under 25 yTeenage girls are especially susceptible

Sexual Motivation  Births to unwed parents

Attitudes about Sex zTake survey on attitudes toward homosexual people

Sexual Motivation  Sexual Orientation  an enduring sexual attraction toward members of either one’s own gender (homosexual orientation) or the other gender (heterosexual orientation)

Sexual Motivation

Stats on Homosexuality z3- 4 % of men z1 – 2 % of woman (more focused on person) z2.5% of total population zNo disorders other than elevated risk of depression and suicide

Sex and Human Values zLabels describe, but also evaluate (show the values of the person using them) zMany see sex education as value free: causing problems zPromiscuous recreational sex poses psychological, social, health, and more problems that must be face realistically zResearch says that from education doesn’t stop teenagers zExplicit material can be harmful zFacts do not lead to an understanding of human intimacy zSex at its human best is life-united and love- renewing

The need to belong zAiding survival (evolutionary pscy) zWanting to belong zActing to increase social acceptance zMaintaining relationships zFortifying health zCan have a down side