AP Psychology: Sexual Motivation (Module 39)

Sexual motivation is nature's way of

Making people procreate

Enables our survival

Sexual Response Cycle

The four stars of sexual responding describes by Masters and Johnson—excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution.

Excitement Phase

men's and women's genital areas become engorged with blood, a woman's vagina expands and secretes lubricant, and her breasts and nipples may enlarge

Plateau Phase

Breathing, purpose, blood pressure rates continue to increase. Accompanied by vaginal and seminal discharge

Orgasm

Muscle contractions all over body. Increase is breathing, pulse, blood pressure rates.

At orgasm, pulse rate surfers from 70 to

115

During orgasm, a woman's arousal facilitates conception through

Positioning the uterus to receive sperm and drawing the sperm further inward.

Why are men and women's orgasms so similar?

The same subcortical brain regions are active. Responses to partners are also generally similar

Resolution Phase

One of the phases of the sexual response cycle; characterized by the body slowly returning to its unaroused state. Blood in genitals flows out

During resolution phase, men enter the

Refractory Period

Refractory Period

A resting period after orgasm, during which a man cannot achieve another orgasm.

Sexual Dysfunction

A problem that consistently impairs sexual arousal or functioning.

Erectile Disorder

Inability to have or maintain an erection

Premature Ejaculation

a condition in which the male reaches climax too soon, usually before, or shortly after, penetration of the female

Female Orgasmic Disorder

A dysfunction in which a woman persistently fails to reach orgasm, experiences orgasms of very low intensity, or has very delayed orgasms.

Paraphilia

Having sexual arousal to unusual stimuli

The American Psychiatric Association classifies such behavior as disordered if

One is in distress due to their unusual sexual interest

Sexual desire could cause harm to others

What effects do sex hormones have?

Direct physical development of sex characteristics and activate sexual behavior (especially in nonhumans)

Estrogen

Sex hormones, such as estradiol, secreted in greater amounts by females then by males and contributing to female sex characteristics. In nonhuman female mammals, estrogen levels peak during ovulation, promoting sexual receptivity.

Male hormone levels are more

Constant

Testosterone

Most important of the male sex hormones. Both males and females have it, but the additional testosterone in males stimulates the growth of male sex organs in the fetus and the development of the male sex characteristics during puberty.

In humans, hormones more loosely influence

Sexual behavior

If a woman's testosterone level drops

Her sexual interest man wane

If a woman's testosterone level increases

Sexual arousal is rejuvenated

In men, fluctuations in testosterone levels have little

Effect on sexual drive

Sexual arousal is both a _____ and ____ of increased testosterone

Cause and consequence

Sexual Motivation: Biological Influences

Sexual maturity

Sex hormones, especially testosterone

Sexual Motivation: Social-Cultural Influences

Family and society values

Religious and personal values

Cultural expectations

Media

Sexual Motivation: Psychological Influences

Exposure to stimulating conditions

Sexual fantasies

Habituation

With repeated exposure, the emotional response to any erotic stimulus lessens

Our imagination can

Influence our sexual arousal

Which of the following best describes the relationship between gender and orgasm?

Men and women describe orgasm similarly.

About _____ percent of the population experience sexual fantasies.

95

Which of the following is true concerning the effect of sex hormones?

Sex hormones have a more direct effect on nonhuman animals than on humans.