Hormones and sexual behavior

Hormones guide the physical development of sex characteristics and behaviors

(prenatal dev. And puberty)

During ovulation, women show a rise in both sex hormones

o
As this happens, sexual desire rises in women and also in men around
them (whose testosterone level rises)

Low levels of testosterone can reduce sexual motivation

Sex hormones levels fall with age (menopause), drugs, or surgery

The Sexual Response Cycle

The late 1950s, William Masters and Virginia Johnson observed sexual arousal
and orgasm in volunteers to learn about the typical pattern of human response to
sexual stimulation
Phase
Physiological response
Excitement

Genitals fill with blood; breathing and pulse become rapid

Plateau

The changes related to excitement reach a peak

Orgasm

Contractions all over the body; sexual release

Resolution

Genitals release blood, male goes through refractory phase, women resolve
slower

Sexual Response Disorders

Some people experience a variation or impairment in some phase of the sexual
response cycle
These variations are sometimes distressful or problematic enough to be seen as
disorders

Premature ejaculation

Erectile dysfunction

Low sexual desire

Lack of orgasm response

Can all be improved with behavior therapy, other psychotherapy, and medication
The psychology of sex
Sexual desire

Biological influences
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Sexual maturity
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Sex hormones
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Sexual orientation

Psychological Influences
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Exposure to stimulating conditions
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Sexual fantasies

Social-cultural influence
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Family and social values

Religious and personal values

Effect of external stimuli

All effects of external stimuli on sexual behavior are more common in men than
women

Possible dangers of repeated exposure to images or nudity or sexuality include

o
Habituation of response
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The distortion of our ideas of what is appropriate behavior or norms of
attractiveness
The brain

The brain is the most important sex organ

People with no genital sensation can feel sexual desire

Fantasies
Adolescent sexual activity

Adolescents sexual activity may be related to basic drives but it is mostly a

function of social environment

How can we tell it isnt just a function of biology? Sexual intercourse rates and
age of first intercourse vary widely among cultures, families, and historical periods
Teen pregnancy and contraception

U.S. teens have higher rates or pregnancy and abortion than European teens.
Possible reasons:
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Inadequate communication about birth control with parents and sexual
partners
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Guilt about sex may make American teens less likely to plan for it and use
contraception
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Alcohol use may make impulsive sex more likely and impair decision
making
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Media portrayals in the united states make unprotected sex look common
and free from consequences
Sexually transmitted infections

Unlike the risk of pregnancy, the risk of STIs multiplies and spreads, and
condoms do not offer sufficient protection for STIs like herpes
Factors correlating with sexual restraint

High intelligence scores

Religious beliefs

Presence of father in home

Participation in activities helping others

Sexual orientation

Ones preferences as an object of sexual attraction

This attraction can exist in many forms of desires, interests, infatuations, and
fantasies
Identity as either heterosexual, bisexual, or exclusively homosexual, emerges in
puberty
3 percent of men and 1-2 percent of women are homosexual
o
Sexual activity

Sexual orientation and Mental health

40 years ago, homosexuality was considered a psychological disorder

Homosexuality in today's society still puts one at risk for anxiety and mood
disorders

Stress of discrimination and isolation, and the difficulty in finding satisfying and
loving relationships