04 Affective

Affective Psychology

  • Focuses on understanding human emotions and motivations, particularly in relation to sexuality.

Motive of Sex

  • Primary motivational system for race preservation.

  • Quote: "Because we made love, not war, we have been successful." (Ornstein, 1985)

  • Required readings: Smith et al. pp. 378-393; Reeve pp. 96-104.

Regulation of Sexuality: Multidimensional Perspective

Biological Regulation

  • Hormonal influences are significant in sexual development but become less important over evolutionary time.

  • Central Nervous System plays a crucial role in regulating sexual behavior.

Cognitive Regulation

  • Humans exhibit complex cognitive regulation, such as sex fantasies that enhance sexual arousal.

Learning and Experience

  • Previous experiences can shape sexual motivation, e.g., Harlow's experiments.

Cultural Factors

  • Cultural influences significantly impact human sexuality.

Sexuality in Intimate Relationships

  • Research by Cain et al. (2003) indicates:

    • 90% of women cite love as the primary motivation for sex.

    • 80% mention pleasure.

    • 70% engage for their partner's request.

    • 60-70% use it to reduce tension/stress.

    • Only 1-2% indicate procreation as the main motive.

  • Essential for the formation and maintenance of pair-bonding.

Determinants of Sexual Identity

  1. Genes

  2. Hormones

  3. Environment

Early Sexual Development

  • Genes determine sex at conception (XX = female, XY = male).

  • Genetic disorders, such as Turner syndrome (X0), can impact sexual development.

Adult Sexuality: Hormones

Male and Female Sex Hormones

  • Testosterone (major male sex hormone): 20-40 times higher in males.

    • Produced in testes, ovaries, and adrenal glands.

  • Estrogen (major female sex hormone): produced in ovaries, testes, and adrenal glands.

  • Oxytocin: involved in emotional and erotic attachment, produced by the hypothalamus.

Hormonal Influences on Sexual Behavior

Testosterone in Males

  • Linked to sexual desire (libido); lower testosterone levels can still allow for full sexual function.

  • Evidence from castration studies indicates a drop in sexual desire.

  • Antiandrogens can reduce sexual activity.

  • Hypogonadism leads to testosterone deficiency impacting sexual desire.

Testosterone in Females

  • Also linked to libido; therapy can enhance sexual desire in post-menopausal women.

  • Normal levels correlated with sexual responsiveness.

Estrogens in Males and Females

  • The role of estrogens in males is unclear, but they potentially influence sexual function.

  • In females, estrogens contribute to mood regulation and sexual function but effects on libido are mixed.

Oxytocin in Sexual Behavior

  • Facilitates bonding; released during intimacy and physical touch.

  • High levels during and post-orgasm contribute to emotional bonding.

Sexual Arousal and the Brain

  • Arousal can occur through thoughts alone, influenced by cultural context.

Brain Regions Involved

  1. Cerebral Cortex: Thinking center.

  2. Limbic System: Emotion, motivation, and pleasure.

  • Damage to hypothalamus can reduce sexual behavior in various species.

Neurotransmitters in Sexual Arousal

  • Dopamine: Promotes arousal; correlated with testosterone.

  • Serotonin: Inhibitory effect on sexual activity; linked with decreased libido.

Role of Senses in Sexual Arousal

Touch

  • Primary erogenous zones: diverse areas such as genitals and breasts.

Vision

  • Males often more sensitive to visual stimuli; social influences affect women's responses.

Smell

  • Influenced by sexual history; pheromones debated in humans.

Hearing

  • Varies among individuals; can affect sexual engagement.

Taste

  • Plays a minor role in arousal.

Aphrodisiacs and Anaphrodisiacs

Aphrodisiacs

  • Substances thought to enhance sexual desire, with most lacking scientific backing.

  • Common myths include food and drugs that supposedly boost libido.

Anaphrodisiacs

  • Substances that reduce sexual desire including opioids, antidepressants, and blood pressure medications.

Masters & Johnson's Sexual Response Cycle

  • Four-Stage Model: Excitement, Plateau, Orgasm, Resolution.

  • Not all individuals experience these stages uniformly.

Sexual Response Cycle Phases

Major Physiological Changes

  • Increased heart rate, blood pressure; genital changes during various phases.

  • Differences noted between male and female physiological responses during the cycle.

Differences Between Male and Female Sexual Response

  • More variability in female sexual response, potential for multiple orgasms, and unique physiological patterns.

Sexual Attraction

Metrics for Attraction

  • General preferences in female waist-to-hip ratio (WPH): ideal is around 0.7.

Cultural Perspectives on Beauty

  • Campaigns challenge traditional beauty standards, showcasing average women.

Useful Links

  • Online resources for further study on human sexuality.