1. Chapter 9: Sexual Expression
Megan Donahue
Gabriel Estrella Ibarra
Kitty Pinney
Margarita Diaz

2. What is sexual expression?
-A combination of sexual behaviors as well as our feelings (Blechman, 1990).
….We can’t separate behavior from feelings!

3. Sexual Attractiveness
“You can’t control who you are attracted to and who is attracted to you.”
Carol Cassell

4. What determines sexual attractiveness?
Only TWO universal characteristics have been identified!!
YOUTH & GOOD HEALTH
All other aspects are culturally determined
Why is this so?
A cross-cultural survey done in 1951 by Clelland Fork and Frank Beach concluded that there were only 2 universal characteristics of sexual attractiveness. These are youthfulness and good health. Similar and more recent research supports this idea and also suggests that all other aspects of sexual attractiveness are culturally determined! Why is this so?

5. Sociobiologists think..
-As animals we instinctively want to reproduce our genes
-We adopt specific reproductive strategies
We seek mates capable of reproducing our offspring!
Sociobiologists have a hypothesis as to why youth and good health are universal factors of sexual attractiveness. They suggest that it’s due to animal's’ instinct to reproduce their own genes, so we adopt certain reproductive strategies, such as choosing a mate who is capable of reproducing our offspring.

6. What we look for in a mate:
-good muscle tone
-full lips
-clear, smooth skin
-lustrous hair
-clear eyes
-facial symmetry
-pleasant voice
-scent (pheromones!)
Cross-cultural physical features associated with beauty: good muscle tone, full lips, clear & smooth skin, lustrous hair and clear eyes. All of these features are associated with good health and suggest a good reproductive capacity AND they are common standards of beauty in various cultures. Besides these, scientists have also found that facial symmetry, a pleasant voice and a person’s scent are essential when choosing mates. As we’ve already talked about in class, pheromones play a critical role in sexual attraction.

7. Difference between men and women?
Men look for:
-young, healthy women
Women look for:
-older men, able to provide resources
-not necessarily the most attractive man
Men seek healthy and young women because a healthy woman is more likely to be fertile and young women will have the energy to raise the child. Women seek vitality and health in a partner as well, with the added requirements of economic security and the ability to provide resources. Interestingly, women also prefer a “average” looking man over a very good looking man if she seeks a long-term relationship.

8. Variations between cultures
Cultures vary in….
-which body parts are considered erotic
- “ideal” version of an erotic body part

9. Photoshopping the “ideal” body type

10. Even within a culture..

11. Sexual Desire
Sexual Desire= the psychobiological component that motivates sexual behavior
Affected by:
Erotophilia Erotophobia

12. What are Sexual Scripts?
Ideas of how males and females are supposed to interact with each other

13. Sexual scripts are composed of three components03 01 02
Interpersonal Script
Cultural Scripts
Intrapersonal Script

14. Cultural Scripts
Provides people a general understanding of how to respond in sexual situations given their environment
Provides a pattern that sexual behaviors are expected to take (normal and acceptable)
According to Simon & Gagnon (1987), our cultural scripts...
Emphasizes heterosexuality
Gives priority to sexual intercourse first
Discourages masturbation

15. Cultural Scripting
Outlines acceptable (normal/moral) behaviors Vs unacceptable (abnormal/immoral) that have been acknowledged by Society
Intercourse
Marriages
Kissing
Genital Caressing
Additional factors: individual personality, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity

16. Why do we assume right away?
socioeconomic
ethnic group
religious background
Own particular script
Erotic definitions of objects, gestures, and situations
Different learning experiences regarding sexuality

17. How do We connect with other Cultural Scripts?
Learn other’s sexual script and be able to complement and adjust to it
Share your own sexual script to let your partner know your needs
Communicate with words, gestures and movements

18. Intrapersonal Script
Focuses on the internal and physiological states that lead to sexual arousal, an erection, or vaginal lubrication
Enables people to give meaning to their physiological responses
Emotions
Experiences (past relations)
Body image
Expressiveness

19. Interpersonal Scripting
Involves the share conventions and signals that enable two people to engage in sexual behaviors
There exists signs and gestures that define encounters as sexual
verbal/non-verbal
Exchange of looks
Tones
Movements
Culturally share situations (cultural scripting)

20. Autoeroticism Sexual activities by one’s self
Masturbation: stimulating one’s genitals for pleasure
Autoeroticism is one of the earlies and most common sexual acts ( Ford & Beach 1951)
Our society condemns autoeroticism

21. Sexual Fantasies and Dreams
WE ALL THINK ABOUT SEX… you're thinking about in now!
Most universal of sexual activities
Don’t worry! It’s natural and healthy
Fantasies can be used to enhance other sexual activities
Men vs Women
Dominance Submission
Multiple partners Emotional/Romantic
Partner pleasure Self-pleasure

22. Function of Sexual Fantasies
Direct and define erotic goals
Plan and anticipate situations
Cure boredom (woohoo!!)
Add novelty and excitement to sexlife
Expressive function

23. Masturbation All the reasons!!! Form of learning
It’s a sexual activity all on its own
Literally, EVERYONE is doing it!!
Check out the one survey on page 272

24. Masturbation in Adulthood
Ladies, Ladies, Ladies
Common methods: clitoral stimulation, fingers, vibrators, dildos
May include insertion (or not) to vagina, anus, or both
Danggg Boy
Almost always includes moving the hand up and down or in circular motions on the penis
Lubricants, erotic materials, aids, porn, pocket pussies

25. Sexual Behavior with Others
Sexual behavior with others is not limited to just intercourse;
Partners could engage in any of the following:
Erotic touching
Mutual masturbation
Oral sex
Anal sex
Kissing

26. Couple Sexual Styles
Emily and Barry McCarthy discuss in their book, Discovering Your Couple Sexual Style, 4 styles of couples. They stress that it takes time to discover and transition to a more intimate couple sex style rather than the passionate/idealized style that we first experience when starting a new relationship.

27. Complementary Style -most common style
-partners are open and receptive to each others desires, comfortable conversation about sexual needs or preferences.
Pros: flexible and can reflect individual values on intimacy and eroticism.
Cons: could become routine or stale and lead to disappointment if the couple started to take each other for granted.

28. Traditional Style Most predictable and stable style
Traditional gender scripts emphasize that men initiate sex and women are passive but open to men’s preference.
Least intimate and erotic since emotional and erotic expression discouraged.
Pros: Very stable, sex is non issue based on the security and well defined roles.
Cons: Lack of mutual and sexual intimacy and most resistant to change.

29. Soulmate Style
- most intimacy and closeness of the styles, couples are very connected and open.
-the greater the intimacy, the better the sex
-Pros: feelings of loved and accepted and desirable, sense of security
-Cons: being overly close can lead to loss of eroticism. Couples can become reluctant to address problems in relationship.
-this style requires autonomicity to maintain individualism sexually

30. Emotionally Expressive Style
Most erotic, most drama, most emotion
This style is most fun and engaging while it focuses on enhanced eroticsim with less intimacy.
Pros- most resilient, comes with ‘make up’ sex
Cons- most instability, couples can wear eachother out emoitonally

31. Now that we know the STYLES, what can we actually, physically DO ?

32. Touching
Can be erotic or romantic, anywhere from holding hands to rubbing your partner’s genitals. Can be touching with hands, mouth (sucking or licking) or genitals (tribidism, dry humping). Penis between thighs is INTERFRMORAL INTERCOUSE, could be used by hetero couples who are avoiding penile-vaginal intercourse. Using hands to stimulate partners genitals can be very rewarding however make sure to use lube as it is more comfortable and pleasurable. Sex toys could also be used, and this is where mutual masturbation would fall under.

33. Kissing
Can be both passionate, affectionate, or both! Kissing can lead to sexual arousal. Often this is a rite of passage for an adolescent. Kissing also can help link your partner's scent more closely to the sexual experience. Regular kissing is usually considered safe sex, however French kissing (open mouth) is probably safe too unless you are biting your partner or there are open sores (think HSV1)

34. Oral Sex
Two types: Cunnilingus (vulva/clitoral stimulation) and fellatio (penis stimulation) Partners can perform this on each other simultaneously in an activity referred to as “69”. Often oral sex is viewed as less intimate than intercourse.

35. Cunnilingus
Mouth and tongue can be used to stimulate woman’s genitals. Some women enjoy stimulation with digits during this too. This can provide intense stimulation and result in orgasm. Some women worry about odor though, or worry about receiving pleasure rather than providing it.

36. Fellatio
Performed by taking a man’s penis into mouth, could also be stimulating shaft, or scrotum with hands or mouth. Men, be careful to not gag or choke your partner by thrusting too deeply. Ejcaulation is a common concern, and it is ok to spit or swallow, the recipient of the fellatio should respect their partner's comfort and not take it as rejection if they don’t want to swallow.

37. Sexual Intercourse
Aka vaginal intercourse, penile vaginal intercourse, coitus… what we commonly call sex! Typically the most sought-after sexual behavior. Requires equal participation from both partners.

38. Sexual Positions
Missionary: man on top, very common, traditional. Allows man to dominate and control the sex, while woman is free to stimulate her clitors.
Cowgirl: woman on top, woman can control depth of penetration and allows for stimulation of clitoris and labia.
Rear Entry: commonly referred to as doggy style, can be helpful to relieve pressure on woman's abdomen during pregnancy.

39. Anal Sex
Often taboo in society, can be very erotic for many folks. Analingus is licking the anus region, sometimes called tossing the salad. Manual stimulation is also used. Anal Intercourse is insertion of a penis into an anus, and both gay and hetero couples participate in this. Lube must be used, butt’s don’t self lubricate like mouths and vaginas. Also greater risk of STI as the rectum is very susceptible.

40. SEX IS HEALTHY!
Folks to engage in regular sex are reported to have longer lives, healthier hearts, better immune systems, lower blood pressure, better body weight, better cognitive skills, better relationships… Is good health what drives good sex though?
Be healthy and safe!

41. DIY Dildos and Pocket Pussies: A Tutorial
Dr. Doe’s guide to creating your own sex toys
DIY Dildos:
Link One
DIY Pocket Pussies:
LinkTwo