Module 54: Sexual Motivation

asexual

having no sexual attraction to others

testosterone

the most important male sex hormone. Both males and females have it, but the additional testosterone in males stimulates the growth of the male sex organs during the fetal period and the development of the male sex characteristics during puberty

estrogen

sex hormones, such as estradiol, that contribute to female sex characteristics and are secreted in greater amounts by females than males. Estrogen levels peak during ovulation. I nonhuman mammals, this promotes sexual receptivity

two predictable points of hormone change

1. The pubertal surge in such hormones triggers the development of sex characteristics and sexual interest

2. In later life, sex hormone levels fall. Women experience menopause as their estrogen levels decrease; males experience a more gradual change

Kinsey

Indiana University biologist

Masters and Johnson

gynecologist-obstetrician, and collaborator

sexual response cycle

The four stages of sexual responding described by Masters and Johnson — excitement, plateau, orgasm, resolution

excitement

the genital areas become engorged with blood, causing a woman’s clitoris and a man’s penis to swell

plateau

excitement peaks as breathing, pulse, and blood pressure rates continue to increase

orgasm

muscle contractions appear all over the body and are accompanied by further increases in breathing, pulse, and blood pressure rates. The pleasurable feeling of sexual release is much the same for both sexes

resolution

the body gradually returns to itrs unaroused state as the genital blood vessels release their accumulated blood

refractory period

in human sexuality, a resting period that occurs after orgasm, during which a person cannot achieve another orgasm

external stimuli

men and women become aroused when the see, hear, or read erotic material

habituation

a basic form of learning where an organism gradually decreases its response to a repeated stimulus,

adverse effects

1. believing rape is acceptable

2. reducing satisfaction with a partner’s appearance or with a relationship

3. desensitization

imagined stimuli

the stimuli inside our heads