Ch. 5: Attraction, Arousal, Response and Sexual Orientation

haptic (touch)

sense of the body contains different nerve endings on different types of skin

somatic nervous system

for voluntary actions

autonomic nervous system

for involuntary actions, consists of the sympathetic division and parasympathetic division

hypothalamus

brain structure that is part of the limbic system which includes processes related to fear and arousal

dopamine

neurotransmitter associated with reward

oxytocin

neurotransmitter associated with non-romantic and romantic bonding. involved in physiology of orgasm, childbirth, and lactation, serves multiple roles in the brain and body including effects on orgasm, attraction, and attachment. secreted by both the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. stimulates uterine contractions during orgasm

acetylcholine

arousal is accompanied by the release of this in the nerves, which enervate arteries supplying blood to the erectie tissue

cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)

production of this is reduced when stimulation ends or orgasm occurs

PDE-5

reduction of cGMP production leads to cGMP being metabolized by enzymes such as this, and erection ending

orgasm

sensation of muscular contractions and the feeling of a release of tension in the body

prolactin

released in the brain after orgasm

refractory period

males experience this between each orgasm

retrograde ejaculation

ejaculation occurs but the blader neck does not close off, and so part or all of the ejaculate enters the bladder instead of the urethra

pheromones

signaling chemicals that affect behavior in animals, play a reduced role in human sexual behavior

histocompatibility complex (MHC)

immune system functioning, aka human leukocyte antigen (HLA)

habituation

familiarity with stimuli produces a reduced response, repeated presentations of the same erotic image can be accompanied by reduced arousal

heterosexual bias

assuming that people are a particular sexual orientation

two-spirited

variety of gender identities and sexual orientations

pansexual

experiences attraction primarily to personality characteristics and not on the basis of someone’s sex

situational homosexuality

same-sex behavior when partners of the preferred sex are not available

digit ratio

relative lenght of the second finger (index finger) to the fourth finger (ring) finger

sexual fluidity

actual change in patterns of desire and attraction, which occurs in only some people and partly as a result of experiences

hijira

in India, a third gender or third sex category for individuals who may be atypical in sexual anatomy

fa’fafine

in Samoa, a third gender or third sex category for individuals who may be atypical in sexual anatomy

homophobia

prejudice against sexual minorities, active support of legislation which discriminates against sexual minorities and the opposition to laws which would ensure equal treatment

sympathetic division

part of the autonomic nervous system. Involved in general physiological arousal and, in sexual response, is more active in orgasm

parasympathetic division

involved in general physiological relaxation and, in sexual response, is more active in erection and arousal

Kaplan’s model of sexual arousal

shows two physiological/neurological mechanisms—genital arousal and orgasm—-and three phases of sexual response—-desire, excitement (genital arousal), and orgasm

Walen and Roth’s model

places a significant role for perception at each stage of sexual response, including evaluating a stimulus, evaluating arousal, and evaluating behavior

aphrodisiacs

a substance that is believed to increase sexual arousal but whose action is strictly due to belief, or the placebo effect

are

some males (are/are not) able to experience multiple orgasms

nitric oxide (NO)

leads to the relaxation of muscle tissue and the expansion of blood vessels in the erectile tissues, allowing blood to flow in and leading to erection

female ejaculation

a cloudy fluid secreted during orgasm by some females that is similar to many components of semen and is likely produced in the Skene's glands and expelled from the urethra; may also refer to a larger volume of clear fluid that squirts out of the vagina during orgasm, which can in part be composed of dilute urine

asexuality

people who do not experience any significant sexual attraction to either sex

gay uncle or aunt

person who did not have offspring of their own but who was highly involved in raising related offspring, would have an evolutionary benefit offsetting the decrease in individual reproduction