3.3 motive sex

3.3 motive sex

sex

• Physiological regulation in humans

sexual stimulation in MALES

• androgens

sexual stimulation in FEMALES

• estrogens

• but androgens are also crucial for regulation

hypothalamus

• Controls the release of hormones (androgens / estrogens)

• Level of hormones decline with age 

Sexual desire in males

• strong correlation between physiological arousal & psychological desire

Sexual desire in females

• Responsive to relationship factors.

Physical attractiveness in western culture

• women’s attractiveness is often linked to a waist-to-hip

  ratio around 0.7

women evaluating men’s bodies,

• Weist 0.9

• Broad shoulders 

• Muscles 

attractiveness is influenced by

• multiple factors:

• including facial features

• symmetry

• perceived health

When judging body movement

• health, personality, & attractiveness

Three categories explain which faces are judged to be attractive

• Neonatal features

• Sexual maturity features

• Expressive features

Neonatal features

• include large eyes and a small nose

• which are associated with youth & agreeableness

Sexual maturity features

• In men → includes prominent cheekbones & thick facial & eyebrow hair, which are associated with postpubescent status

Expressive features

• A wide smile & higher-set eyebrows are associated with happiness & openness.

women’s facial metrics most attractive

• neonatal features

men facial metrics most attractive

• sexual maturity

Sexual scripts

• individual's mental representation of the step-by-step sequence of events that occur during a typical sexual episode

Sexual scripts evolves

• from independent, fantasy-based to more interpersonal, team-oriented 

When a couple fails to coordinate their sexual scripts

• their experiences can be fraught with: 

• Distress, conflict, & anxiety.

Sexual schemas

• beliefs about the sexual self

• derived from past experiences

• encompass both:

1. Positive, approach-oriented thoughts & behaviors

2. Negative avoidance-oriented thoughts & behaviors.

Sexual script theory is fundamental to

• social expectations

• gender roles

male script

• Physical approach to sex 

• Always ready for sex 

• Are tolerated for being sexual 

female script 

• Emotional approach

• They are gatekeepers

• Are judged for being sexual