Chapter 11 - Sexual and relationship problems

Question 1

Sexual dysfunctions

Answer 1

Disorders characterised by some type of disturbance in the phases of sexual functioning including desire, arousal and orgasm.

Question 2

Desire phase

Answer 2

Stage of sexual functioning characterised by the urge or inclination to engage in sexual activity.

Question 3

Arousal phase

Answer 3

Stage of sexual functioning characterised by the subjective experience of pleasure and excitement as well as physiological changes (such as the tensing of muscles and enlargement of blood vessels).

Question 4

Orgasm

Answer 4

Stage of sexual functioning characterised by the discharge of neuromuscular tension built up during sexual activity; in men, entails rhythmic contractions of the prostate, seminal vesicles, vas deferens and penis, and seminal discharge; in women, entails contractions of the orgasmic platform and uterus.

Question 5

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder

Answer 5

Sexual dysfunction in which an individual’s desire for sex is diminished to the point that it causes him/her significant distress or interpersonal difficulties and is not due to transient life circumstances or another sexual dysfunction.

Question 6

Erectile disorder

Answer 6

Sexual dysfunction in men entailing recurrent inability to attain or maintain an erection until the completion of sexual activity.

Question 7

Female sexual arousal disorder

Answer 7

Sexual dysfunction in women characterised by recurrent inability to attain or maintain the swelling-lubrication response of sexual excitement.

Question 8

Hypertension

Answer 8

Condition in which the blood supply through the blood vessels is excessive and is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke (also known as high blood pressure).

Question 9

Delayed ejaculation

Answer 9

When an individual experiences a marked difficulty or inability to ejaculate.

Question 10

Premature ejaculation

Answer 10

Sexual dysfunction characterised by a man’s inability to delay ejaculation after minimal sexual stimulation or until he wishes to ejaculate, causing significant distress or interpersonal problems.

Question 11

Female orgasmic disorder

Answer 11

Sexual dysfunction in women characterised by recurrent delay or absence of orgasm following a normal excitement period (also termed ‘anorgasmia’).

Question 12

Anxiety

Answer 12

State characterised by negative affect and bodily symptoms of tension accompanied by the anticipation of future danger or misfortune.

Question 13

Performance anxiety

Answer 13

Anxiety regarding sexual performance that interferes with sexual functioning.

Question 14

Behaviour therapy

Answer 14

Array of treatment techniques, often based on the principles of learning, that aim to change an individual’s specific behaviours by replacing unwanted behaviours with desired ones.

Question 15

Sensate focus exercises

Answer 15

Treatment for sexual dysfunctions in which partners alternate between giving and receiving stimulation in a relaxed atmosphere in which sexual intercourse is forbidden so as to reduce pressure; partners communicate openly with each other regarding their preferred types of bodily pleasuring.

Question 16

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

Answer 16

Type of psychological treatment that combines both cognitive and behavioural concepts and techniques.

Question 17

Androgen

Answer 17

Substance (such as testosterone) producing male characteristics.

Question 18

Oestrogen

Answer 18

Group of female sex hormones produced by the ovary.

Question 19

Paraphilias

Answer 19

Atypical sexual activities that involve one of the following: (a) nonhuman objects; (b) non-consenting adults; (c) the suffering or humiliation of oneself or one’s partner; and (d) children.

Question 20

Exhibitionistic disorder

Answer 20

A paraphilic disorder that involves a person obtaining intense sexual arousal from exposing his/her genitals to an involuntary observer, generally a complete stranger.

Question 21

Fetishistic disorder

Answer 21

The use of non-living objects or a highly specific non-genital body part (e.g., feet, toes, hair) to obtain sexual arousal.

Question 22

Frotteuristic disorder

Answer 22

A paraphilia that leads to the person, usually a younger male, to obtain sexual gratification from touching or rubbing against a non-consenting person.

Question 23

Paedophilic disorder

Answer 23

When a person has intensive, recurrent sexual fantasies, urges or sexual activity with a prepubescent child or children of either sex.

Question 24

Sexual sadistic disorder

Answer 24

The experience of sexual arousal from the physical or psychological suffering of another person.

Question 25

Sexual masochistic disorder

Answer 25

The erotic excitement a person experiences from such activities as being humiliated, beaten, bound or otherwise made to suffer.

Question 26

Transvestic disorder

Answer 26

When men who view themselves as make become sexually aroused by the process of cross-dressing.

Question 27

Gender identity disorder

Answer 27

Disorder in which the individual believes that s/he was born with the wrong sex’s genitals and is fundamentally a person of the opposite sex.

Question 28

Voyeuristic disorder

Answer 28

The experience of being sexually aroused by secretly watching another person, usually a stranger, undressing, bathing, engaging in sexual activity or being naked.

Question 29

Social skills training

Answer 29

Behavioural technique that aims to help clients with problems in interacting and communicating with others.

Question 30

Personality

Answer 30

Habitual and enduring ways of thinking, feeling and acting.

Question 31

Meta-analysis

Answer 31

Statistical technique for summarising results across several studies.

Question 32

Cross-sectional design

Answer 32

Type of research examining participants at one point in time but now following them over time (as in longitudinal design).