11.3: Sexual Orientation, Attraction, and Sexual Behavior

heterosexuality

someone who is sexually attracted to a person of the opposite sex

homosexuality

someone who is sexually attracted to a person of the same sex

bisexuality

someone who is sexually attracted to both people of the same sex and people of the opposite sex

asexuality

someone who has little or no sexual attraction to people of either sex

pansexual 

someone who forms an attraction to someone regardless of their gender or gender identity 

demisexual

someone who does not form a sexual attraction until after forming an emotional attachment with another person

Kinsey scale

scale developed by Alfred Kinsey

represents sexual orientation as a spectrum between exclusively heterosexual (score=0) and exclusively homosexual (score=6)

contrast effect

attraction toward another is often in a relationship, or in contrast, to other people

propinquity effect

we tend to grow to be attracted to people we frequently see or interact with

mere exposure effect

more we are exposed to something, more we tend to like it

applies to fact that our attraction grows toward people we are around

4 physiological phases during sex

excitement phase

plateau phase

orgasm phase

resolution phase

excitement phase

blood rushing to genitals and increased heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing

plateau phase

heightened arousal and excitement and increased pleasure

orgasm phase

heightened sense of pleasure and euphoria

results in ejaculation in men; occurs less commonly in women

resolution phase

physiological responses that were heightened during first three phases return to baseline

sex pheromones

chemical messengers sent between animals that provide information about sexual availability, fertility, age, and genetics