1. Sexual Arousal and Response
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2. The Brain and Sexual Arousal
Key structures
Cerebral cortex: higher mental processes
Limbic system: various sites linked to sexual behavior
Neurotransmitters: dopamine facilitates and serotonin inhibits sexual arousal and activity
Classroom Discussion Topic: In what ways does the brain influence sexual arousal?
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3. The Limbic System
Figure 6.1 The limbic system, a region of the brain associated with emotion and motivation, is important in human sexual function. Key structures, shaded in color, include the cingulate gyrus, portions of the hypothalamus, the amygdala, and the hippocampus.
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4. The Senses and Sexual Arousal
All sensory systems can contribute to arousal
Touch tends to predominate
Primary erogenous zones
Secondary erogenous zones
Vision is the second dominate
Men self-report higher arousal to visual stimuli
Women and men have similar physiological responses
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5. The Senses and Sexual Arousal (cont’d.)
Smell may arouse or offend
Pheromones
Taste plays a minor role
Partly influenced by industry advertisements
Hearing plays a variable role
Some find sound arousing
Others prefer silence
Classroom Discussion Topic: How do the senses of touch, vision, smell, taste, and hearing contribute to erotic arousal?
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6. Aphrodisiacs: Do They Work?
Substances believed to arouse sexual desire or increase capacity for sexual activity
Foods, drugs, and alcohol
No clear evidence of genuine aphrodisiac qualities
Role of expectations: if a person believes something will improve their sex life, it is often translated into subjective enhancement pleasure
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7. Anaphrodisiacs Inhibit sexual behavior Drugs Birth control pills
Opiates, tranquilizers, antihypertensives, antidepressants, etc.
Birth control pills
Reduce blood levels of free testosterone
Nicotine
Constricts blood flow
Possibly reduces circulating testosterone
Classroom Discussion Topic: What substances have been shown to either heighten or reduce sexual arousal?
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8. The Role of Hormones in Sexual Behavior
Steroid hormones
Androgens (including testosterone)
Produced by testes, adrenal glands, and ovaries
Estrogens
Produced by ovaries and testes
Women and men produce both types
Neuropeptide hormones
Oxytocin
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9. Sex Hormones in Male Sexual Behavior
Testosterone
Linked to sexual desire and genital sensitivity
Castration leads to reduced sexual desire
Antiandrogen drugs reduce testosterone
Hypogonadism is a testosterone deficiency that results from certain endocrine system diseases
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10. Sex Hormones in Female Sexual Behavior
Estrogens
Overall link between estrogen and female sexual behavior is unclear
Estrogen therapy (ET): can lead to sexual benefits (e.g., heightened lubrication and desire)
Testosterone
Important libido-facilitating hormone in females
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11. How Much Testosterone Is Necessary?
For normal sexual functioning
Too much testosterone is linked to adverse effects
Testosterone levels decrease with age
Fairly rapid decrease for women at menopause; more gradual decline for men
Testosterone replacement therapy: supplements
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12. Oxytocin and Sexual Behavior
Secreted during cuddling and physical intimacy
Increased skin sensitivity
Associated with orgasmic release
Facilitates emotional and erotic bonding
Linked to social attachment
Classroom Discussion Topic: What is the role of hormones in human sexual arousal?
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13. Sexual Response Kaplan’s three-stage model
Desire, excitement, and orgasm
Masters and Johnson’s four-phase model
Excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution
Classroom Discussion Topic: What common physiological changes accompany each stage of the sexual response cycles?
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14. Kaplan’s Three-Stage Model
Figure 6.2 Kaplan’s three-stage model of the sexual response cycle. This model is distinguished by its identification of desire as a prelude to sexual response.
Source: Kaplan 1979.
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15. Female Sexual Response Cycle
Figure 6.3 Female sexual response cycle. Masters and Johnson identified three basic patterns in female sexual response. Pattern A most closely resembles the male pattern, except that a woman can have one or more orgasms without dropping below the plateau level of sexual arousal. Variations of this response include an extended plateau with no orgasm (pattern B) and a rapid rise to orgasm with no definitive plateau and a quick resolution (pattern C).
Source: Human Sexual Response, by W.H. Masters and V.E. Johnson. Copyright © 1966
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16. Male Sexual Response Cycle
Figure 6.4 Male sexual response cycle. Only one male response pattern was identified by Masters and Johnson. However, men do report considerable variation in their response pattern. Note the refractory period; males do not have a second orgasm immediately after the first.
Source: Human Sexual Response, by W.H. Masters and V.E. Johnson. Copyright © 1966
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17. Four Phases of the Sexual Response Cycle
Table 6.3 Major Physiological Changes During Each of the Four Phases of the Sexual Response Cycle
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18. Aging and the Sexual Response Cycle
Older women: response cycle continues but with decreased intensity
Excitement: vaginal lubrication begins more slowly, reduced amount
Plateau: decreased vagina flexibility
Orgasm: number of uterine contractions decrease
Resolution: occurs more rapidly
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19. Aging and the Sexual Response Cycle (cont’d.)
Older men: response cycle continues, but with changes in intensity and duration of response
Excitement: more stimulation to obtain erection
Plateau: able to sustain plateau phase longer
Orgasm: reduced muscular contractions and force of ejaculation
Resolution: occurs more rapidly and refractory period lengthens
Classroom Discussion Topic: What common variations occur in the sexual response cycles of older women and men?
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20. Differences Between the Sexes in Sexual Response
Greater variability in female response
See Figure 6.3
Male refractory period
Certain minimum time must elapse after orgasm before another climax
Multiple orgasms
More than one orgasm within a short time period
Most women have the capacity for multiple orgasms
What are some of the significant differences between the sexes in response patterns?
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21. Summary
Sexual arousal and sexual response in humans are influenced by many factors
Brain’s capacity to create images and fantasies
Our emotions and the level of intimacy
Various sensory processes and hormones
Biological factors and events
Differences between the sexes
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