Human Sex Chapter 6 and 7

role of the brain and neurotransmitters in sexual arousal

• cerebral cortex (mental events) → fantasy

• limbic system + sex. beh. → amygdala, hippocampus, part of hypothalamus

• neurotransmitters → dopamine facilitates sexual arousal

• testosterone stimulates release

• serotonin inhibits sexual arousal

sexual arousal in touch, vision, taste, hearing, and smell

touch → predominant sexual sense

1) primary erogenous zones - genitalia; applies to everyone

2) secondary erogenous zones - anything else on the body depends on you

vision → next in dominance

1) men self-report higher arousal than women

2) women and men have similar physiological responses

smell → may arrouse or offen (phermones + secrete)

taste → plays a MINOR role influences by industry ads

hearing→ plays a VARIABLE role, potentially arousing, others prefer silence

food and substances show to have aphrodisiac and anaphrodisiac effects

aphrodisiacs→ evidence extremely LOW

anaphrodisiacs → drugs, antidepressants, antipsychotics, birth control pills, nictone inhibits sexual behavior

role of hormones in male and female sexual beh. (androgens and estrogen)

male → androgens + testosterone produced by testes, andrenal glands

• testosterone → linked to sexual desire and genital sensitivity (not as much as func.)

female → estrogen overall link is unclear

• 2 types of libidio - 1) free is women have less free testosterone, cells more sentivies to bound and 2) bound is too much testosterone

amount and type of testosterone that is necessary for hormonal sexual func. in men and women

testosterone levels decrease w/ aging

• rapid decrease for women at menopause

• gradual decline for men

male → bound -94 percent and free 95 percent

female → bound 97-98% and free 1-3 %

the role of oxytocin in sexual func.

secreted during cuddling and physical intimacy

Kaplans three stage model of sexual response

desire, excitement, and orgasm

dual control model of Bancroft and Jansen ( and two processes associated with)

phases of masters and johnsons sexual response cycle and the physiological changes that occur in each stage for WOMEN AND MEN

what is the grafenberg spot and what is the controversy surrounding the G-spot amplification

changes in sexual response cycle of women and men as they age

identify significant differences in sexual responses b/w men and women

characteristics of passionate and companionate love

Sternberg’s triangular theory of love

styles of loving (John Lee) and how the styles of loving are measures

Chapman’s Five Love Languages and the limitations of this theory

factors that affect with whom we fall in love,

→ chemistry of love

→ proximity

→ similarity

→ reciprocity

→ physical attraction

how attachment styles may affect love relationships

What does research say about how both women and men? (straight and gay) perceive relationship b/w love and sex

jealousy and effect on relationships

→ individual differences in responses to jealousy and how to manage

strategies for maintaining relationship satisfaction and lasting love relationship

role that sexual variety plays in relationships

what is mutual empathy and how does it relate to effective sexual communication

what are the hindrances to effective sexual communication

Discuss strategies that may be helpful to begin talking about sex.

Discuss research into effective and destructive communication tactics, including Gottman’s

constructive and destructive communication tactics. Be able to apply this research to real-life situations of successful and unsuccessful relationships. Discuss communication issues in online

relationships