Sexual Motivation

sexual motivation

the desire to have an erotic experience

incest avoidance

cross cultural; because of evolution and how offspring typically are

neuroendocrine perspective

hormones cause sexual motivation

sociocultural perspective

what is socially attractive/ taboo causes sexual motivation

behavioral perspective

the reward feeling/ operant causes sexual motivation

evolutionary perspective

survival causes sexual motivation

humans

sexual behavior is more about identity and social life, not just for reproductive purposes

Alfred Kinsey

1950s; person who interviewed many single and unmarried men and women and found that both sexes are more sexually active than what is socially accepted

• once taboo behaviors are actually common

Kinsey scale

a 7 point scale to measure sexual orientation

Sexual orientation

an enduring/ longitudinal pattern of sexual attraction

heterosexual

all cultures are primarily ______ for evolution

homosexuality

4% men and 2% women; face more cultural, societal, and political backlash, is not chosen, genetic + environment

1973

when APA dropped homosexuality from “mental illness” list

sexual response cycle

four stages of sexual responding (excitement, plateau, orgasm, resolution)

refractory period

resting period for males after orgasm when they can’t achieve another one

sexual disorder

a problem that consistently impairs sexual functioning