Introduction
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1.) Drive Theories- We engage in activities to
reduce an internal state of tension.
◦ How does this relate to sex?
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2.) Incentive Theories – External stimuli regulate
motivational states
◦ In other words, we are motivated by external goals
(incentives)
◦ How does this relate to sex?
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What happens to us physically during sex
Sexual Response cycle can be divided into 4
stages:
1.)
2.)
3.)
4.)
Excitement Phase
Plateau Phase
Orgasm
Resolution Phase
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Level of physical arousal escalates rapidly
Muscle tension, respiration, heart rate, and
blood pressure increase
Vasocongestion – engorgement of blood
vessels
◦ In males =
◦ In females =
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Arousal continues to build, at a slower pace
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Sexual arousal reaches peak intensity and is
discharged through series of muscle
contractions that pulsate through pelvic area
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Male/Female differences
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Possible reasons for differences
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Physiological changes produced by sexual
arousal gradually subside
Men Experience Refractory Period- Time during
which males are largely unresponsive to
further stimulation
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Parental Investment Theory – Refers to what
each sex has to invest in terms of time,
energy, survival, and risk to produce and
nurture offspring
◦ What does theory say about males?
◦ What does theory say about females?
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How would men act if left to own devices?
Females demand long term commitments
before consenting to sex
Men- emphasis on youthfulness and
attractiveness
Women- Emphasis on intelligence, ambition,
education, income, social status
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Ratio of the circumference of the waist to that of
the hips
Devendra Singh noticed that males are attracted
to WHR of .70 (or “hourglass figure”
What did he do in his study?
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Why .70?
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Class viewpoints
Some researchers believe culture could play a
role
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Which gender shows more interest in sex?
Which gender thinks about sex more?
Which gender initiate sex more?
Which gender has more frequent and varied sexual
fantasies?
Which gender rates sex drive as higher?
Which gender spends more money on sexual
entertainment?
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A research study asked college aged males and
females the ideal number of sex partners they
would like to have over lifetime
Results:
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Males =
Females =
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Obvious problem with these self-report studies
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◦ “double standard”
Clark and Hatfield Demo
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In the first portion of study, average looking
men approached college aged female
strangers and asked if they would come back
to apartment to have sex
In the second portion, average looking
women approached college aged male
strangers and asked if they would come back
to apartment to have sex
What percentage of women said yes?
What percentage of men said yes?
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Sexual Orientation- Person’s preference for
emotional and sexual relationships with
individuals of same sex, other sex, or both
sexes.
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Most people view it as all or none
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Kinsey belief
◦ Why did he believe this?
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No one knows exactly for sure
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Reasons for difficulty:
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Number of homosexuals seems to comprise
about 5-8% of population
Seems more fluid in women
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***Remarkably little support***
Freud- child becomes homosexual when
raised by a weak, ineffectual father who is
poor role model and by overprotective
mother whom boy identifies.
Behaviorists – Homosexuality is a learned
preference
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1990’s- Bailey and Pillard studied gay men
with a twin or adopted brother:
◦ 52% of identical twins gay
◦ 22% of fraternal gay
◦ 11% of adopted children gay
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Other research is suggesting that the
organizing effects of prenatal hormones
shape sexual development
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http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=67
83732231274736218
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Alcohol and substance abuse
Pornography consumption
Negative attitudes towards opposite gender