Chapter Ten Sexual Expression: Arousal and Response Agenda Discuss Influences on Sexuality Review Sexual Response Discuss Solitary Sexual Behavior Discuss Sexual Behavior.
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Transcript Chapter Ten Sexual Expression: Arousal and Response Agenda Discuss Influences on Sexuality Review Sexual Response Discuss Solitary Sexual Behavior Discuss Sexual Behavior.
Chapter Ten
Sexual Expression: Arousal and
Response
Agenda
Discuss Influences on Sexuality
Review Sexual Response
Discuss Solitary Sexual Behavior
Discuss Sexual Behavior with Others
Discuss Sexual Behavior Later in Life
Discuss Safer-Sex Behaviors
Class Discussion: Sexual Compatibility
How would you define sexual compatibility?
What could a couple do to assess it?
Should a couple try to have an orgasm at the
same time?
What are the benefits?
What are the disadvantages?
Influences on Sexuality
Hormones
Ethnicity
Religion
Hormones
Both sexes produce estrogen & testosterone,
though in different amounts that decrease in
age
Estrogen decline in older women slows
growth of vaginal cells, which thins the wall,
increases dryness, & decreases vaginal
sensitivity
Testosterone levels remain constant in aging
women, which may increase sexual desire
Aging men experience decreases in
testosterone, which can decrease sexual
desire and quality & quantity of erections
Ethnicity
In male dominant cultures, women tend to be
less knowledgeable & less likely to discuss
sex
Ethnicity can affect our sexual behaviors,
frequency, attitudes, communications
African American men & women have the
most partners
White & Hispanic women are more likely
than black women to be involved in a
variety of sexual behaviors
White women are more likely than black or
Hispanic women to give & receive oral sex
Religion
In general, the more religious a person is:
the more conservative their sexual
attitudes and behavior
the less they have premarital intercourse
the less they engage in risky sexual
behavior
the less they approve of oral sex
the more guilt they experience about
sexual behavior
Sexual Response
Masters & Johnson’s Four-Phase Sexual
Response Cycle
The Sexual Response Cycle in Women
The Sexual Response Cycle in Men
Studying Sexual Response
Sexual response – series of physiological &
psychological changes during sexual
behavior
Masters & Johnson’s Four-Phase
Sexual Response Cycle
Four-phase model of physiological changes
that occur during sexual behavior, regardless
of sexual orientation
Four phases:
Excitement
Plateau
Orgasm
Resolution
The Sexual Response Cycle
in Women
Sexual response varies in time spent in
each phase among women, & with
menstrual cycle
Women: Excitement Phase
Excitement: Many stimuli induce excitement
This phase may last minutes to hours
Vasocongestion – increased blood flow to the
genitals and/or breasts
Transudation (vaginal lubrication) occurs
within 30 seconds, longer if lying down
Tenting effect – vaginal walls expand
Continued …
Women: Excitement Phase
Breasts & areolas enlarge, nipples erect
For childless women:
Labia majora thin & flatten out
Labia minora turn bright pink & swell
For women with children:
Quick vasocongestion & enlargement of
labia majora & minora, clitoris may erect
Sex flush on chest first, then spreads
Women: Plateu Phase
May last between 30 seconds & 3 minutes
Breast size continues to increase
Clitoris retracts behind hood shortly before
orgasm
Clitoral hood rubbing & pulling causes the
orgasm during sexual intercourse
For childless women:
Flattened labia majora & red labia minora
For women with children
Labia majora engorge & turn dark red
Orgasm can release the pressure from
increased vasocongestion
Women: Orgasm Phase
Orgasmic platform due to vasocongestion in
pelvic area
When the vasocongestive pressure reaches a
threshold, a reflex of surrounding muscles is
triggered
These contractions (primarily uterine
muscles) expel the pooled blood & causes
pleasurable orgasmic sensations
Women: Orgasm Phase
Orgasmic contractions occur every 0.8
seconds
There are 8-15 contractions in women, the
first 5-6 are felt most strongly
This phase has the peak blood pressure and
respiration rates
May reduce menstrual cramps by expelling
blood from the region
Women: Resolution Phase
Takes about 5-10 minutes
Body returns to preexcitement conditions
Blood leaves the genitals, erections dissipate,
muscles relax, heart & breathing rates
decrease
Some women can experience multiple
orgasms with further stimulation
Clitoris may still be sensitive
The Sexual Response Cycle
in Men
The four-phases are less defined in
men
Men: Excitement Phase
Often very short phase
Tumescence – vasocongestive swelling of the
penis
Erection is unstable
Testicles increase by about 50% in size
Testicles are pulled closer to the body
Men: Plateu Phase
May develop a sex flush
Nipple erections
Glans penis engorges with blood
Erection is more stable
Preejaculatory fluid may appear on the head
of the penis
Men: Orgasm Phase
Ejaculation does not always accompany orgasm;
men can learn to control it
If ejaculation occurs with orgasm, there are 2 stages:
In a few seconds, the vas deferens, seminal
vesicles, & prostate gland contract
These contractions will to ejaculatory
inevitability
These initial contractions, though, can be
controlled.
semen is forced out of the urethra by muscle
contractions that occur every 0.8 seconds, the first
3-4 are felt most strongly
Men: Resolution Phase
Resolution
Glans penis decreases in size
Refractory stage – period in which men
cannot be re-stimulated to orgasm
Time period increases as men age
Other Models of Sexual
Response
Class Discussion: Controversy about
Masters and Johnson Response Cycle
Some disagree with Masters & Johnson’s
model because it focuses on orgasm
It lacks relational and emotional qualities
It is based on a male model of sexuality
How do relational/emotional qualities
influence satisfaction?
How can couples be encouraged to enjoy all
phases of the sexual response cycle?
Kaplan’s Triphasic Model
Helen Singer Kaplan’s three-stage model of
sexual response includes the psychological
phase of sexual desire and two physiological
stages of excitement and orgasm.
Sexual desire was of paramount importance
to Kaplan because, without it, the other two
physiological functions would not occur.
Helen Singer Kaplan’s Three Phase Model
Other Models of Sexual Response
Reed’s Erotic Stimulus Pathway (ESP)
4 phases:
Seduction & sensation phases are
psychosocial, surrender (orgasm),
reflection (reflect on the experience)
David Reed’s Erotic Stimulus Pathway (ESP) model blends features of Masters and Johnson’s and
Kaplan’s models using four phases: seduction, sensation, surrender, and reflection.
Other Models of Sexual Response
Tiefer’s New View model
Many important aspects of sexuality:
pleasure, emotionality, sensuality, cultural
differences, power issues, communication
Women’s sexual experiences don’t neatly
coincide with Master’s & Johnson’s model
Solitary Sexual Behavior
Sexual Fantasy
Masturbation
Sexual Fantasy – Enhancement or
Unfaithfulness?
Sexual fantasies are normal and healthy
They may be a driving force in human
sexuality
Men tend to have sexual fantasies and
cognitions more often than women
Similar fantasies regardless of sexual
orientation, with the exception of the gender
of the fantasized partner
Most people have a select few fantasies
College Students and Sexual Fantasy
The majority use sexual fantasy and feel little
guilt
Some experience a lot of guilt and this may
decrease their engagement in intimate
behaviors
Some college student reported jealousy over
their partner’s fantasies and equated it with
unfaithfulness in a relationship
Women’s Sexual Fantasies
Sexual fantasy is used to increase arousal,
self-esteem, & sexual interest, as well as
cope with past hurts and relieve stress
Age is unrelated to types of sexual fantasies
Compared to men’s fantasies, women’s
fantasies tend to:
be more passive, submissive, romantic
include more touching, feeling, partner
response, and ambiance
Women’s Sexual Fantasies
5 most common:
sex with current partner
reliving a past sexual experience
engaging in different positions
having sex in rooms other than the
bedroom
sex on a carpeted floor
Women’s Sexual Fantasies
Many report using sexual force fantasies
May reduce guilt for having desires
May indicate openness to experiences
May be from past sexual abuse
Women are in control in their fantasies
Men’s Sexual Fantasies
Compared to women’s fantasies, men’s
fantasies tend to:
Be more active and aggressive
Are more frequent, impersonal, and visual
Involve explicit sex acts and focus on
partner as a sex object
Involve someone other than the current
partner
Men’s Sexual Fantasies
5 most common:
different positions
having an aggressive partner
receiving oral sex
having sex with a new partner
having sex on the beach
Video: Seinfeld’s “The Contest”
Class Discussion: Masturbation
Why do you think it is more common for men
than for women to masturbate?
The text suggests that there is a
“masturbation taboo” for women. What would
contribute to this taboo?
Masturbation – A Very Individual
Choice
In the past, masturbation was feared as a
cause of mental & physical problems
Currently it is viewed as a way to promote
healthy sexuality
It can decrease sexual tension & anxiety
It can be an outlet for sexual fantasy
It allows a person to test their own body
Couples can use it during intercourse
(mutual masturbation)
Masturbation – A Very Individual
Choice
Masturbation is the main sexual outlet in
adolescence
In some cultures it is openly accepted, in
some religions it is forbidden
People with regular sex masturbate more
than those without regular sex
Female Masturbation
The average women has an orgasm in 95%+
of her masturbatory attempts
Masturbation tends to produce the most
intense orgasms in women
Masturbation taboo for women, based on the
double standard that women are not sexual
May use vibrators or dildos
Some concentrate on the clitoris, vulva,
vagina, or anus
Male Masturbation
The largest gender difference in sexual
behavior is in masturbation frequency
Masturbatory men do so 3x more than
women
48% of single men & 28% of women
masturbate weekly or more
Not all men feel comfortable masturbating
Sexual Behavior with Others
Foreplay
Manual Sex
Oral Sex
Heterosexual Sexual Intercourse
Same-Sex Sexual Techniques
Class Discussion: Safer Sex
There are no sexual behaviors that protect a
person 100% of the time—with the exception of
solo masturbation and sexual fantasy.
“Safer sex” refers to specific sexual behaviors
that are safer to engage in because they protect
against the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted
infections.
Identify as many specific activities as
possible that offer some protection against
STIs.
What factors influence safer sexual
practices?
Foreplay – The Prelude?
Typically defined as everything that happens
before penetration
A male dominated view
Many lesbians do not use the term foreplay
as all sexual behavior is “sex”
Manual Sex – A Safer-Sex Behavior
“Hand jobs”
Physical caressing of the genitals in solo or
partner masturbation
Bodily fluids are not exchanged; safer sex
Women differ in clitoral touching preferences
Many men like strong, consistent strokes of
the penis, some light strokes of the scrotum;
do not restrict the urethra (underside of penis)
More nerve endings at the tip of the penis
Oral Sex – Not So Taboo
Cunnilingus – oral sex on a woman
Fellatio – oral sex on a man
Majority of Americans have oral sex
Many engage in oral sex before they had
their first intercourse experience
Black women engage in less oral sex than
white women
People with higher education levels tend to
engage in more oral sex
Oral Sex – Not So Taboo
Oral sex is often used as part of foreplay, or
instead of other sexual behaviors
69 – mutual oral sex
Anilingus (rimming) – oral stimulation of the
anus
Hygiene practices are important to reduce
possible spread of infections
Most would rather receive, than give, oral sex
Cold sores can transmit infections in oral sex
Cunnilingus
Some women have cleanliness concerns
Anxieties may prevent women’s enjoyment
Many men find it erotic
Most women prefer it begin slowly, gradually
Some enjoy simultaneous digital stimulation
of the vagina or anus
Air embolisms may form and be fatal if air is
blown into a pregnant woman’s vagina
Most popular lesbian sexual behavior
Fellatio
Most popular sexual behavior for gay men
Some men enjoy having one testicle in their
partner’s mouth with the tongue stroking it
Many enjoy simultaneous hand stimulation of
the penile shaft, while the head is sucked on
Teeth can cause pain if not covered by the
lips
Fellatio
If the male is not infected, swallowing
ejaculate is fine
Ejaculate is usually larger if a long time has
passed since the last ejaculation
1-2 teaspoons of semen are ejaculated
Ejaculate contains 5 calories of fructose,
enzymes, vitamins
Ejaculate taste can vary depending on the
man’s diet & stress level
Heterosexual Sexual Intercourse
3 American categories
1/3 have intercourse at least 2x/week
1/3 have intercourse a few times a month
1/3 have intercourse a few times a year or
not at all
National average is once a week
Class Discussion
If a person can’t reach orgasm during a
sexual interaction but doesn’t want to hurt
his or her partners’ feelings, do you think it
would be OK to fake the orgasm just once?
Why or why not?
Number of sexual partners reported by females and males, 18-59 years old. Source: National Health
and Social Life Survey, as reported in Laumann et al., 1994.
Heterosexual Sexual Intercourse
Pornography reinforces idea that women like
fast & rough thrusting
Longer thrusting does not mean a woman is
closer to an orgasm
Most people do not make eye contact in
intimate situations
Positions for Sexual Intercourse
There are many positions for intercourse
Each has advantages and disadvantages
Four main positions are:
Male-on-top
Female-on-top
Side-by-side
Rear entry
Male-on-Top
“Missionary” “male superior”
Male controls the thrusting
Advantages: eye contact, kissing, hugging,
most effective for procreation
Disadvantages: uncomfortable if obese or
pregnant, large penis can bump the cervix,
difficult to stimulate the clitoris, man must
support his weight, difficulties in controlling
erection & ejaculation
Female-on-Top
“Female superior”
Advantages: woman has greater control,
more clitoral stimulation, her partner’s hands
are free for further stimulation, eye contact,
kissing, hugging
Disadvantages: intromission (insertion of
penis), some women may be uncomfortable
being in an active role, some men may be
uncomfortable with their partner in control
Side-by-Side
Advantages: can take it slow & extend
intercourse, hands free for caressing each
other, eye contact, kissing, talking
Disadvantages: difficulties with penetration,
keeping momentum going, and deep
penetration
Rear-Entry
One variation is “doggie-style”
Advantages: this can be fast or slow, provide
opportunity for clitoral stimulation by either
partner, may directly stimulate the G-spot,
helps those who are overweight or obese
Class Discussion
Male-on-top position seems to be the most
common position for heterosexual couples
despite the fact that there are some
significant disadvantages (e.g., muscle strain
may led to earlier ejaculation).
Why do you think it remains so common?
What could help couples try more
positions?
Anal Intercourse
Practiced by men & women of all sexual
orientations
May lead to orgasm, especially with
simultaneous clitoral or penile stimulation
1/4 of adults have had anal sex at least once
Lubrication is required; the tissue is fragile
and does not self-lubricate
Anal sphincter needs to be relaxed
One of the riskiest sexual behaviors
Same-Sex Sexual Techniques
Gay men use many sexual techniques
Most common is fellatio, followed by mutual
masturbation, anal sex, & body rubbing
Also enjoy hugging, kissing, caressing
Fisting/Hand-balling - the insertion of the fist
& sometimes part of the forearm into the anus
Interfemoral intercourse – thrust penis
between the partner’s thighs
Buttockry – penile rubbing in the buttocks
Same-Sex Sexual Techniques
Lesbians enjoy many sexual behaviors:
kissing, body contact, caressing
Manual stimulation is the most common
practice for lesbians, followed by cunnilingus
Tribadism – women rub their genitals together
May also use fisting, dildos, vibrators
Lesbian erotic role identification – “butch” &
“femme”; biological & social explanations
Sexual Behavior Later in
Life
Physical Changes
Changes in Sexual Behavior
Physical Changes
Many decreases in sexual functioning are
exacerbated by sexual inactivity
Good nutrition, physical fitness, adequate rest
& sleep, reduced alcohol intake, & positive
self-esteem can enhance sexuality
throughout life
Changes in Sexual Behavior
2 most frequent complaints of elderly men:
Decrease in sexual desire
Decreased ability to perform
Therefore, intercourse decreases, but
masturbation increases
Physical problems can interfere with sexual
functioning: arthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis
Safer-Sex Behaviors
Some sexual behaviors are safer to engage
in because they protects against the risk of
acquiring a STI
Only abstinence, solo masturbation, & fantasy
protect 100% of the time
Some safer practices: decrease number of
partners, know backgrounds of partners,
have protected sex, use barrier
contraception, limit alcohol intake