Sexual Arousal & Motivation

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards defined by key terms and concepts related to sexual arousal and motivation based on lecture notes.

Masters & Johnson Sexual Response Cycle

A foundational model in the study of human sexuality outlining distinct stages: Excitement, Plateau, Orgasm, and Resolution.

Prolactin

A hormone released in men after orgasm which is linked to sexual satisfaction and recovery time.

Refractory Period

The recovery time after orgasm during which a man cannot achieve another erection or orgasm.

Physiological Arousal

Physical changes in the body associated with sexual arousal, such as engorgement of genitals.

Subjective Arousal

A person's self-reported experience of sexual arousal that may not always correspond with physiological indicators.

Triphasic Model of Sexual Response

A model proposed by Kaplan that includes Desire, Physiological Arousal, and Orgasm.

Non-specificity of Female Response

The observation that women may show physiological arousal to a wide range of erotic stimuli, not always correlated with subjective feelings of arousal.

Circular Model of Sexual Response (Basson’s 2001)

Basson's model that represents sexual response as a circular process involving emotional and physical satisfaction.

Spontaneous vs. Responsive Desire

Responsive Desire

Desire that arises in response to external cues or stimuli, rather than spontaneously.

Spontaneous Desire

Desire that arises intrinsically, without any specific external triggers.

Desire Phase

The initial phase in some models where the psychological state of sexual desire occurs before physiological arousal.

Excitement Phase

The beginning stage of sexual response characterized by initial arousal and interest.

Plateau Phase

The phase where physiological response levels off before orgasm.

Orgasm

The climax of sexual excitement, marked by intense pleasure and release of sexual tension.

Resolution Phase

The final phase in the sexual response cycle where the body returns to its normal state.

Sexual Disorders

Conditions characterized by difficulty in sexual response, desire, or arousal, often classified in manuals like DSM.

Desire & Arousal Correlation

The relationship between subjective feelings of arousal and physiological responses, often differing between genders.

Sexual Arousal Awareness

Understanding and recognizing one's own sexual arousal states, both subjectively and objectively.

Clitoral Hypersensitivity

Increased sensitivity of the clitoris post-orgasm, leading to aversive feelings towards further stimulation.

Physiological Response Measurement

Methods used to objectively assess sexual arousal, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and genital engorgement.

Selection Bias

A bias occurring when participants in studies do not represent the general population, impacting findings.

Emotional Satisfaction in Sexual Activity

The idea that emotional and psychological factors significantly impact sexual desire and engagement.

Cognitive Interest vs. Biological Drive

The distinction between mental motivations for sex and physiological urges, particularly noted in female responses.

Intimacy as a Generator of Desire

The concept that relational closeness and emotional bonding can stimulate sexual desire, especially in women.

Vaginismus

A condition causing involuntary contraction of vaginal muscles, making penetration painful or impossible.

DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual)

A manual used by clinicians to diagnose mental disorders, including sexual dysfunctions.

Women's Sexual Response Cycle

Models that propose women's sexual response may differ from the linear stages of the Masters & Johnson model, often incorporating responsive desire and psychological factors more prominently.

Men's Sexual Response Cycle

Typically follows the Masters & Johnson linear model, characterized by distinct phases: Excitement, Plateau, Orgasm, and Resolution, often including a refractory period.

Helen Singer Kaplan (1974, 1979)

A sex therapist and researcher known for proposing the Triphasic Model of sexual response (Desire, Excitement, Orgasm), emphasizing the importance of psychological desire.

Giraldi et al., 2015

A study contributing to the understanding and diagnostic criteria of female sexual dysfunction, particularly in defining Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder and acknowledging the role of subjective experience

Chivers et al., 2004 (Erotic Films Study)

Research demonstrating that while men's physiological arousal is generally highly specific to their preferred sexual stimuli, women often show non-specific physiological arousal to a broader range of erotic stimuli, irrespective of their sexual orientation (as measured by genital responses to various erotic film genres).

Chivers et al., 2010 (Awareness of Sexual Arousal Study)

A study investigating the correlation between subjective and physiological sexual arousal, finding that women often exhibit a weaker link between the two compared to men, suggesting lower awareness or different processing of arousal cues in women's subjective reports.