HumanSexuality-Unit4

Field of eligibles (FOE)

All of the individuals who meet a persons criteria as a potential romantic partner

• Can change over time

• May not be consciously aware

Propinquity effect

Tendency for people to form friendships or romantic relationships with those they frequently encounter

Mere exposure effect

Repeated exposure to stimulus leads to increased liking of stimulus as long as initial impression was neutral/positive

Attraction similarity hypothesis

We prefer and are more romantically attracted to those who we view as more similar to us

Facial symmetry

More attractive

• Evolutionary advantage (good health, strong immune system, good genes)

Perceptual bias

Easier to process symmetrical images so we prefer it

Waist to hip ratio

Preference is for waist to be smaller than hips.

Difference tends to be larger for female bodies than male bodies

Shoulder to hip ratio

Shoulders larger than hips

Preferred for men

Physical attractiveness other factors

Peer perceptions

Social comparisons

Our own evaluation of their traits

Physiological arousal

Meeting someone when physiologically aroused (increased heart rate, adrenaline, etc.) increases likelihood of attraction

Dual control model of sexual desire (Bancroft and Janssen 1990s)

Sexual desire, response, behavior is the product of 2 opposing processes (excitatory and inhibitory)

• Women scored higher on inhibition/lower on excitation than men

Sexual response cycle (Masters and Johnson)

4 phases:

• Excitement

• Plateau

• Orgasm

• Resolution

Sexual response cycle

1) excitement

Heart rate, breathing, BP increase

Increased muscle tension/skin sensitivity

Vasocongestion to genitals

Sexual response cycle

1) Excitement - changes to vagina/vulva

Transudation (lubrication of vaginal walls)

Tenting effect

Clit becomes erect

Sexual response cycle

1) Excitement - changes to penis/testicles

Tumescence (erection)

Testicles swell

Cremaster muscle pulls testicles towards body

Transudation

lubrication of vaginal walls

Tenting effect

Upper 1/3 of vagina opens up/balloons out, uterus/cervix drawn up higher into body

Tumescence

Swelling of penis (erection)

Sexual response cycle

2) Plateau

Arousal very high, builds at slower pace

Changes from last phase continue but intensify

Sexual response cycle

2) Plateau - changes to vagina/vulva

Clit retracts under hood

Orgasmic platform forms (tightening of opening)

Sexual response cycle

2) Plateau - changes to penis

Continued engorgement of penis until full erection

Glans engorged, darkens

Droplets of seminal fluid, accumulate at tip

Sexual response cycle

3) Orgasm

Sexual arousal/tension reaches peak

Myotonia (muscular contractions)

Myotonia

Series of muscular contractions, mainly in pelvic area

Sexual response cycle

3) Orgasm - changes to vagina/vulva

8-15 contractions of vagina, uterus, anal area

Pleasant sensations felt in clit/pelvic area

Sexual response cycle

3) Orgasm - changes to penis

1) Emission

2) Ejaculation

Emission

Internal organs contract, release fluid that gathers in urethral bulb at base of urethra

Faking orgasm

25% of men, 50% of women

More likely to fake with long term partner

Orgasm gap

Data that indicated women having sex with men are less likely to achieve orgasm

Orgasm benefits

Relieves stress

Boost immune system

Helps with sleep

Reduce rate of prostate cancer

Sexual response cycle

4) Resolution phase

Body returns to unaroused state

Length of time varies (takes longer if no orgasm)

Sexual response cycle

4) Resolution - changes to vagina

If stimulation continued, can have multiple orgasms

Clit glans sensitive for several minutes

Sexual response cycle

4) Resolution - changes to penis

Refractory period (time when another orgasm is not possible)

Refractory period

Time period when another orgasm is NOT possible

Varies/gets longer with age

Manual sex

Most popular among lesbians

Form of “safer sex”

Artificial lube has been around since

the ancient greeks

Artificial lube reasons to use

For parts that do not provide natural lubrication

Flavor oral sex

Reduce condom breakage

Supplement vaginal lubrication

Oil based lube

Only for manual stimulation for penis

NEVER use for condoms

Can irritate/cause infection in vaginas/anuses

Water based lube - pros

Easy to find in stores

Washes off easily

Cheap

CAN use with condoms

Water based lube - cons

Dries up fast (sometimes sticky)

Does NOT work well in water

May irritate skin

If flavored, can cause yeast infection

Silicone based lube - pros

Long lasting

Slicker/thicker

Unlikely to cause allergic rxns

CAN be used in water and condoms

Silicone based lube - cons

Can stain/hard to wash off

More expensive

Slippery

Can destroy silicone toys

When using lube, check for

Glycerin

Parabens

Botanicals/flower extracts

Cunnilingus

Stimulation of vulva and/or clit by partners mouth/tongue

• Most find it as easiest way to orgasm

Fellatio

Stimulation of penis by partners mouth/tongue

69

2 partners performing oral sex on each other simultaneously

Analingus (rimming)

Oral stimulation of anus

Arousal decreases feelings of

disgust

Anal sex

Does NOT naturally lubricate

Sensitive, so intense orgasms

Relax both sphincter muscles to improve experience

Higher risk of STI transmission

Vaginal intercourse frequency

Decreasing over time, average is 1 per week

• Masturbation rates also decreased

To be considered a diagnosable sexual dysfunction:

Symptoms must be present for at least 6 months

Symptoms must occur 75-100% of the time

Must cause significant distress

Primary dysfunction

Had it whole life

Secondary dysfunction

Shows up later in life

Global dysfunction

Every type of sexual situation

Situational dysfunction

Certain types of sexual situations, NOT all

Sexual dysfunction - physical causes

Hormonal imbalances

Disease

Spinal cord injuries

Medication

Alcohol/drug abuse

Sexual dysfunction - psychological causes

Situational pressures (stress/fatigue)

Ineffective sexual technique

Anxiety about sex/negative body image

Relationship problems

Psychological disorders

Negative cultural messages

Past sexual trauma/abuse

Sexual dysfunction - psychological treatments

Couples counseling

Cognitive behavioral therapy

PLISSIT model

PLISSIT model

P = permission

LI = limited info

SS = specific suggestions

IT = intensive therapy

Sexual dysfunction - biological treatments

Hormones

Medications

Surgical intervention

Priapism

Very long lasting/painful erections

Sexual disorders - 2 categories

Sexual dysfunctions

Paraphilias

Paraphilias

Sexual desires and/or sexual behaviors with socially inappropriate objects, situations, or non-consenting people/animals

To be diagnosed with a paraphilic disorder you must either:

Feel distress about desire/behavior itself, not just from society

OR

Have a desire/behavior that involves causing distress, harm, or death or is about a non-consenting partner

Paraphilia causes - bio

imbalances in hormones, neurotransmitters, brain structure differences

Paraphilia causes - psychological

Learning, personality, lack of social skills, problems interacting/forming relationships

Types of paraphilias

1) Noncoercive and nonvictimizing

2) Coercive and victimizing

Paraphilias - noncoercive and nonvictimizing

Only involve the self and other consenting adults

Noncoercive and nonvictimizing paraphilias - fetishism

Recurrent sexual urges, fantasies, or behaviors involving the use of an unusual object/body part

Noncoercive and nonvictimizing paraphilias - transvestism

Crossdressing to achieve sexual arousal

Noncoercive and nonvictimizing paraphilias - consensual sadomasochism (BDSM)

Class of sexual activities in which sexual arousal is gained from giving/receiving pain or from displays of dominance/submission

Sadist

Giving the pain

Masochist

Receiving pain

Paraphilias - coercive and victimizing

Include nonconsensual sexual activity

Coercive and victimizing paraphilias - sadistic disorder (nonconsensual sadism)

Sexual arousal due to inflicting pain/humiliation on a nonconsenting partner

Coercive and victimizing paraphilias - pedophilic disorder

fantasies, urges, or behaviors involving sexual activity with a prepubescent child (usually 13 or younger)

Coercive and victimizing paraphilias - Exhibitionistic disorder

Exposure of genitals/sexual behavior in public setting

Scatalogia

Saying sexually obscene things to a nonconsenting person

Coercive and victimizing paraphilias - voyeuristic disorder

Observe people without their consent as they undress or engage in sexual activity

• Correlates/overlaps with exhibitionism

Coercive and victimizing paraphilias - frotteurism

touching/rubbing genitals against a nonconsenting person in a sexual manner/for sexual gratification