Intimate relationships

Human sexuality

involves sexual attraction or activities between two persons and defines the means of biological reproductions

sex

two groups into which organisms are divided according to their characteristics and roles in reproduction which consists of males and females

sexual activity

involves two or more people who uses consensual words or touch to arouse themselves and each other

psychoanalystic theory of sexual behaviour

Sexual abnormalities arise when individuals become fixated during one psychosexual stage of development and believes that personality structure drives behaviour

classical conditioning theory of sexual behaviour

repeated pairing of a neutral stimulus with one that produces a specific behaviour, which will lead to the neutral stimulus to elicit the same behaviour

Social/Observational Learning

Behaviour that can be learned through observation of others or through media

Exchange perspective

Exchanging resources is fundamental to social relationships. Behaviour is driven by perceived costs and benefits derived from trades occurring between two partners

Personality theories

Relatively stable individual traits generate consistent patterns of behaviour across situations. Erotophilia, sensation seeking and sociosexuality are major traits associated with sexual behaviour

Evolutionary theory (Charles Darwin)

Human beings are motivated to produce as many offspring as possible. Evolved preferences for physical and psychological traits promote reproductive success

Biopsychosocial model

Biological, psychological and social factors that produce variations in sexual orientations and behaviours

who are early researchers that founded sexology (the scientific study of sex)

John B Watson

Alfred Kinsey

William Masters

Virginia Johnson

When did medicalization of sexuality and psychology peak

In the 20th century with the popularity of the psychoanalytic movement

Which scientists began systematic studies of attraction and love

Ellen Berscheid and Elaine Hatfield (1960s and 70s)

Factors that make up intimate relationships

Knowledge, caring, interdependence, trust, mutuality and commitment and responsiveness

What is Charles Darwin known for

Natural Selection and sexual selection

The scientific study of human sexuality remained underground until…

The 1940s with Alfed Kinsley

Why would someone not take much to get interested in sex

They have a lower threshold for sexual arousal

Sexual response

a physical and emotional reaction to sexual stimulation. a motivational incentive-based cycle comprising of subjective experience and physiological changes

sexual arousal

characterised by changes in physiology and/or subjective experience

what is sexual behaviour and human sexual response influenced by

emotions, mental health and relationship happiness

The brain is…

The control center for sexual arousal, allows for changes in excitement through cognition, mood states and fantasies.

The Limbic system and sexual response

a set of structures deep within the brain that exerts a profound influence on both animal and human sexual behaviour

important elements of the limbic system

hypothalamus, hippocampus and amygdala

hypothalamus

controls automatic processes and sexual responses

hippocampus

assists in learning and memory

amygdala

plays a role in emotional regulation and processing of social information

most potent neurotransmitters for sexual arousal

dopamine and serotonin

dopamine

enhances sexual arousal and increases odds of sexual behaviour

serotonin

reduces sexual arousal and inhibits orgasms (especially in foul play)

the sense of touch in sexual arousal

an integral part of pleasure that is a means of communicating emotions to others. It produces oxytocin

How does the sense of smell consciously contribute to sexual arousal

by the effects that are determined by our prior learning experiences and cultural standards

How does the sense of smell unconsciously contribute to sexual arousal

by the excretion of pheremones which are chemicals secreted by the body which play a role in sexual communication

what secretes testosterone

the gonads and adrenal glands

why is testosterone important

high or low levels of testosterone during critical periods may contribute to variations in gender identity, sexual oritentation and the degree of psychological masculinity or femininity

low testosterone

islinked to low sex drive and depression

what produces estrogen

gonads and adrenal glands

what is oxytocin

a neuropeptide hormone produced in the brain

what does oxytocin do

• plays a role in developing bonds between romantic partners

• helps in causing vaginal lubrication and erections

• has a calming effect for emotions

• helps to produce breastmilk and promote maternal bonding

alcohol in small quantities

acts as an aphrodisiac

alcohol in large quantities

acts as a depressant on arousal and orgasm

ecstasy

enhances desire and orgasms but can cause erectile difficulties and orgasm delays

poppers (amyl nitrate)

creates more intense orgasms but can cause erectile difficulties

viagra

creates a capacity for erection in men

The Masters and Johnson Model

1. Excitement

2. Plateau

3. Orgasm

4. Resolution

excitement

marks the start of sexual arousal, can be a response to foreplay and is triggered through the sympathetic system

the phases of excitement

phase one- vasocongestion and phase two- myotonia

plateau

sexual tension continues, increases heart rate and blood circulation

what does plateau cause in women

further swelling and sensitivity of clitoris, contraction of vagina and tightening of muscles

Who created the tripasic model

Helen Singer Kaplan 1974

Difference between the tripasic model and the Masters & Johnson Model

The tripasic model components are more applicable to the treatment of sexual disorders

Phases of the tripasic model

1. Sexual desire phase

2. excitement phase

3. orgasm phase

Phases of the Erotic Stimulus Pathway Theory

1. seduction

2. sensations

3. surrender

4. reflection

Who created the Erotic Stimulus Pathway Theory

David Reed

intimate relationships

a significant romantic involvment between two persons (not necessarily sexual) but does include a casual social realtionship

two distinct subtypes of love

passionate and compassionate

passionate love

an all-consuming psychological and physiological state in which emotional arousal and sexual passion are prominent features

compassionate love

characterised by a strong emotional attachment, trust, affection and commitment to another person

factors associated with passionate love

timing, early attachment styles and similarity

sternberg’s three distinct components of love

passion, commitment and intimacy

sternberg’s types of love

1. friendship

2. infatuation

3. empty love

4. romantic

5. companionate

6. fatuous

7. consummate

friendship

when intimacy and liking is present but feelings of passion and commitement in a romantic sense is missing

infatuation

feelings of lust and passion without liking or commitment

empty love

commitment without passion or intimacy

romantic love

intimacy and passion

companionate love

liking and intimacy is present but without passion. It is stronger than friendhsip because there is long-term commitment

fatuous love

commitment and passion without intimacy

consummate

the total form of love and ideal relationship that consists of intimacy, passion and commitment.

major reasons of failure in relationships

1. lack of trust

2. poor communication

3. lack of respect

4. difference in priority

5. little intimacy

major reasons why relationships succeed

1. good communication

2. unconditional honesty

3. separate but connected lives

4. quality time

5. similar life goals

6. positive outlooks