Human Sexual Behavior Exam 2

Excitement

The beginning of erotic arousal; physiological process is vasocongestion

Masters & Johnson

Provided one of the first models of the physiology of human sexual response

Sexual Response

Typically progresses in three stages: Excitement, orgasm, & Resolution; Two basic physiological processes are Vasocongestion and Myotonia

Male Sexual Response

Erection results when the corpus cavernosa and the corpus spongiosum fill with blood

Orgasm

A series of rhythmic contractions of the pelvic organs at 0.8-second intervals

Kaplan’s Triphasic Model

Sexual Response has three independent phases: Sexual desire, vasocongestion, and muscular contractions

Sexual Excitation Inhibition Model

Two basic processes that underlie human sexual response: Excitation and inhibition

Emotion & Arousal

Emotions affect sexual responses and sex also affects our mood; People were in a more positive mood the day after sex, etc.

Spinal Cord

Erection and ejaculation are controlled by spinal cord reflexes; three basic components: receptors, transmitters, effectors

Brain

Distinct brain regions are associated with desire/interest, arousal, orgasm, and refractory period; mostly limbic system; erection not associated with activity in limbic region

G-spot

The female “prostate”, located on the top side of the vagina, halfway between the pubic bone and cervix

Organizing effects

Hormone effects that cause a relatively permanent change in the organization of some structures

Activating effect

Hormone effects that activate certain behaviors

Testosterone and sexual desire

Testosterone has effects on libido; if men deprived, dramatic decrease in sexual behavior in some

Sex offenders and castration

Castration might be effective in reducing sexual aggression, but chemical castration should be part of treatment along with psychotherapy

Pheromones

biochemicals secreted outside the body, important means of sexual communication between animals

Erogenous zones

parts of the body that are sexually sensitive

Autoeroticism

Sexual self-stimulation

Aphrodisiac

A substance that excites sexual desire

Data sources

Kinsey Report, NHLS; adults are questioned about their childhood sexual behavior

Infancy & Preschool years

Sexual responses are present even at birth; Orgasms are possible even at an early age; by 4-5 some sex play occurs

Attachment

A psychological bond that forms between an infant and the parent or other caregiver

Infancy & Prescool Self-Stimulation

Infants have been observed touching genitals, usually around 6-12 months; Many infants discover genitals by unintentionally touching them

Child-Child Encounters

By age 4-5 children engage in sexual play; playing doctor

Gender knowledge

By about 2 yrs children know what gender they are; By ages 4-6 ideas about gender are rigid

Masturbation in childhood

Generally, boys start masturbating earlier than girls; Boys typically are told by their male peers, girls frequently learn through accidental discovery

Heteronormativity

The belief that heterosexuality is the only pattern that is normal and natural

Adolescent Self-Stimulation

Increase in female masturbation is much more gradual than for boys

Same-gendered sexual behavior

Experts believe that adolescence is the period during which one’s identities develop and become stabilized; Sexual minority youth report awareness of attraction to persons of the same gender as early as 10

Too Early Sex

Experts agree that sex at age 15 or earlier is “early” sex and that it carries a number of risks; Increased risk for teen pregnancies; more likely not to use condom

Adolescent Romantic Relationship

Adolescent relationships provide the context in which the individual develops the skills and learns the scripts needed to sustain long-term intimate relationships

Sexting

The sending of sexually charged messages or images by cell phone or other electronic media

Moral panic

An extreme social response to the belief that the moral condition of society is deteriorating

Risky sex and adolescent brain

In adolescence, areas of the brain that have to do with emotion and seeking feel-good rewards develop earlier than areas of the brain that have to so with impulse control

Ways to counteract sexualization

Within schools: media literacy, sexuality education; Within families: parental oversight, alternative media, campaign against companies

Psychosocial development

In early childhood there is a crisis between autonomy and shame, and later between initiative and guilt; crisis in young adulthood: intimacy vs. isolation

Cohabitation effect

Marriages preceded by cohabitation are more likely to end in divorce than marriages not preceded by cohabitation

Martial Sexuality

Commonest forms of sexual expression for adults

Martial intercourse frequency

2-3 times a week

Masturbation in marriage

Masturbation in marriage is normal but often evokes feelings of guilt

Satisfaction with marital sex

Greater satisfaction reflects stronger emotional commitment and sexual exclusivity; sexual satisfaction and marital quality both predict stability

Extramarital sex

Dissatisfaction with marriage and marital sex are associated with susceptibility to infidelity

Nonmonogamous relationships

All partners agree that the partner(s) may have other partners

Equity theory

Social-psychological theory designed to predict and explain many kinds of human relations; applied to predicting patterns of extramarital sex

Polyamory

Practice of loving multiple people simultaneously; intentional family, involves three or more person; group relationship, involves three or more partners; group marriage, involving three or more people

Postmarital sex

Most divorced women, but fewer widowed women return to having an active sex life; divorced women face complex problems of adjustment

Menopause

The cessation of menstruation; occurs on average over a 2 year period beginning at around age 50; major decline in eggs and sex hormones, estrogen & progesterone

Combination pill

Oral contraceptive that contains estrogen and progestin; 21 days on 7 days off, prevents ovulation; 95% effective; blood clots & stroke

Failure rate

If 5 women out of 100 become pregnant in a year of using contraceptives, failure rate is 5%

Effectiveness

100 - failure rate = effectiveness

Depo-Provera Injections

Progestin administered by injection; repeated every 3 months for effectiveness; inhibiting ovulation and growth of endometrium; 4% failure rate; reversible

Emergency Contraceptive

Pill for emergencies; treatment most effective if begun within 24 hours, cannot be delayed longer than 5 days (120 hrs); 62-85% effective

Diaphragm

Silicon rubber with nylon spring; 6 hours before intercourse and 6 hours after; Wearing it longer can cause toxic shock syndrome

Femcap

Silicone vaginal barrier insert, used with spermicide; access through healthcare provider

Sponge

Polyurethane sponge insert containing spermicide; effective for 24 hours, but should not be left in place for longer; not very effective; no prescription needed; toxic shock syndrome

IUDs

T-shaped intrauterine device with plastic string; contains metal or hormone; inserted by doctor and remains until woman wants removed; creates a toxic environment in uterus for sperm & egg; releases progestin and ruduces menstruation; Increased menstrual cramps & flow, irregular bleeding; reversible

Male condom

Thin rubber sheath that fits over penis; catches semen; usually 2% failure rate but close to 100% effective rate; no side effects other than allergies

Female condom

Polyurethane internal insert with two rings; removed immediately after intercourse; 21% failure rate; irritation for both males and females

Withdrawal

Penis is withdrawn before ejaculation; 20% failure rate; no side effects

Spermicides

Creams and jellies containing nonoxynol-9, applicator is filled and inserted into vagina; left in 6-8 hours after intercourse; kills sperm and block cervix entrance; 21% failure rate; allergic reaction or irritation; no protection against STIs

Rhythm method

“Natural” birth control, abstaining from intercourse during fertile period

Calendar method

Basic rhythm method based on assumption ovulation occurs about 14 days before menstruation; 3 days added in front, 2 days added after

Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Method

Woman takes temperature every day upon waking, preovulatory phase temp will be low, high during ovulation and during cycle; determines safe days only after ovulation

Sympto-thermal Method

Combines two rhythm methods; woman records changes in cervical mucus (symptoms) as well as bbt (thermal); typical 15% failure; failure rates lower when regular cycle

Sterilization

Voluntary surgical contraception

Male sterilization

Vasectomy; can be done under local anesthesia, requires only 20 minutes; minimally invasive, no-scalpel procedure; Should not rely on vasectomy until 3 months after; 100% effective; Reversable

Female sterilization

Tubal ligation; minilaparotomy (after birth) & laparoscopy (tubes tied); makes it impossible for egg to move down and toward uterus & for sperm to reach egg; 100% effective; Reversible in some cases

Abortion

Termination of pregnancy

Vacuum aspiration method

First trimester of pregnancy and up to 14 weeks’ gestation; done w/ local anesthetic; takes 10 minutes, woman stays in clinic for few hours; Tube is inserted in vagina, suction is used to takee out contents of uterus and fetal tissue

Mifepristone

Used for a medication or medical abortion; Induce an early abortion through causing endometrium to be sloughed off; prostaglandin dose is used to increase contractions helping to expel embryo; can be used first 70 days; 92% effective when combined with prostaglandin; cramping

Vaginal Rings

New advance in contraception; contains combination of estrogen and progestin; ring is inserted and lasts 12 months; protect from STIs

Sperm-Binding Beads

New development in contraception; tiny beads containing a protein that sperm bind to; once bound sperm won’t go after egg; beads placed in uterus; tests with mice effective

Reversible Nonsurgical Sterilization

Method being studied where silicone is injected into fallopian tubes and forms a plug; can later be removed