Chapter 10: sexuality in adulthood

Question 1

Singleism

Answer 1

Stigmatisation and stereotyping of people who are not in a socially recognised relationship.

Question 2

Sexual patterns in marriage

Answer 2

When positive affect towards the spouse is high, lust is often also high. There also a positive association between one’s own lust and the partners lust. Higher desire of oneself and of the partner is associated with higher quality of the sexual experience.

Question 3

Sex and the 2-career family

Answer 3

There is no significant difference found among working couples in the frequency of sex, sexual satisfaction or sexual desire. Gender roles, parttime or fulltime work don’t influence this but the satisfaction of the work does.

Question 4

Infidelity

Answer 4

People who score higher on narcissism and impulsivity have a higher change of committing infidelity. Conflict, abuse, alcohol and sexual withhold also increase this risk. The susceptibility to infidelity increases with the dissatisfaction of the marriage.

Question 5

Extra-relationship sex

Answer 5

8-21% of men and 6-13% of women report having sex with someone other than who they are in a relationship with or are married to. Happens more among people with a low income and people who aren’t religeous.

Question 6

Equity theory

Answer 6

People mentally calculate the benefits and costs for them in a relationship. Their behaviour is affected by if they feel equity or inequity. The rewards and inputs need to be the same, but if they experience equity they can experience distress and put less in or engage in extramarital sex.

Question 7

The interpersonal exchange model

Answer 7

Relationship satisfaction is correlated with sexual satisfaction. Greater sexual satisfaction is related to higher frequencies of affectionate and sexual behaviour.

Question 8

Evolutionary cause of extramarital sex

Answer 8

• For men: having sex with many women increases the changes of producing offspring.
• For women: another partner can lead to ensurance for her child, might have better genes and creates more genetically diverse offsprings.

Question 9

Post-relationship sex

Answer 9

Is quite accepted for divorced and widowed women. Widowed women are less likely to return to a vibrant sex life, because they are often older, more financially stable and have a good social support system.

Question 10

The climacteric period

Answer 10

Lasts between the age of 45 and 60 in women. The functioning of the ovaries declines and the woman is often not able to procreate anymore.

Question 11

Menopause

Answer 11

The end of menstruation, happens over a 2 year period, between the age of 40-60. Often comes with hot flashes and night sweats, feeling irritable, tense and depressed.

Question 12

Ageing of the ovaries

Answer 12

Causes a decline in eggs and sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. The lack of estrogen causes the vagina to become more acidic, making it vulnerable for infections. There is also a lack of lubricant and elasticity of the vaginal walls, which can make intercourse more painful.

Question 13

Physical changes in men due to age

Answer 13

• Testosterone production declines.
• Vascular diseases: can affect erections.
• Refractory period: lengthens with age.
• The volume of the ejaculation decreases.

Question 14

Prostatectomy

Answer 14

Surgical removal of the prostate, can create erectile problems and decrease the volume of the ejaculate.