Chapter 6: Sexual Arousal Flashcards
What is the most/least important sense involved with sexual arousal?
The most important sense involved with sexual arousal is the brain and the least important sense involved with sexual arousal is taste
What are the four stages of Masters and Johnson’s Sexual Response Cycle? What physiological changes occur during each stage for men and women?
- Excitement: Female responses – clitoris swells, labia majora separate away from vaginal opening, labia minora swell and darken in color, lubrication begins, uterus elevates, breast enlarge/Male responses – penis becomes erect, testes elevate and engorge, scrotal skin thickens and tenses
- Plateau: Female responses – orgasmic platform (engorgement of outer third of the vagina) forms, clitoris withdraws under its hood, uterus becomes fully elevated, areola becomes more swollen/Male responses – engorgement and elevation of testes becomes more pronounced, Cowper’s gland secretions may occur
- Orgasm: Female responses – orgasmic platform contracts rhythmically, uterine contractions occur, clitoris remains retracted under its hood, no further changes in breast or nipples/Male responses – during emission phase internal sex structures undergo contractions causing pooling of seminal fluid in urethral bulb, during expulsion phase semen is expelled by contractions of muscles around base of penis
- Resolution: Female responses - clitoris descends and engorgement slowly subsides, labia return to unaroused size, uterus descends to normal position, lack of orgasm after period of high arousal may dramatically slow resolution/Male responses – erection subsides over a period of a few minutes, testes descend and return to their normal size. Scrotum resumes wrinkling appearance, resolution quite rapid in most men
What is a refractory period? When does it occur?
The refractory period is a recovery stage in which there is a temporary inability to reach orgasm. It occurs in the male resolution phase.
What is the orgasmic platform and when does it occur?
The orgasmic platform is the tissues of the outer third of the vagina, labeled by Masters and Johnson. They swell considerably, and the PC muscle tightens, reducing the diameter of the opening of the vagina. During orgasm, women experience rhythmic contractions of the orgasmic platform. It occurs during a woman’s orgasm.
What is myotonia and give some examples.
Myotonia is the second basic physiological response. It is the increase muscle tension that occurs throughout the body during sexual arousal. Examples of myotonia are facial grimaces, spasmodic contractions of the hands and feet, and the muscular spasm that occur during orgasm.
What hormones are most involved in sexual arousal and response? In men? In women?
The hormones most involved in sexual arousal and response in men is androgen’s and testosterone. In women the hormones are estrogen’s and testosterone.
What are the 2 main sources of orgasm for women? How do most women achieve orgasm?
The 2 main sources of orgasm for women are from direct or indirect stimulation of the clitoris and penis-vaginal intercourse. Most women achieve orgasm from intercourse, clitoris stimulation, fantasies, during sleep, or by stimulation of other body areas such as the nipples or the Grafenberg spot.
What visual stimuli are arousing for men and women? Consider Chiver’s and Mean’s research.
Visual stimuli that are arousing for men and women are bonobos having sex, male and female sex, female and female sex, male and male sex, female masturbating, male masturbating, woman doing yoga, and a naked male running on the beach.
What smells are arousing? Consider pheromones and household smells.
Smells that are arousing are genital secretions. Females secrete pheromones, which are certain odors produced by the body that relate to reproductive functions.
Why do individuals fake orgasms? What are some of the disadvantages?
Individuals fake orgasms because the sex is not good or if their bored and want to speed up the process. Some of the disadvantages are that it is harmful and bad behavior/a bad cycle. Homosexual and heterosexual women tend to fake orgasms more than men.
What are primary and secondary erogenous zones? How do they differ?
Primary erogenous zones are areas of the body that contain dense concentrations of nerve endings and secondary erogenous zones are areas of the body that have become erotically sensitive through learning and experience. They differ because they are different areas of the body. For example, primary erogenous zones generally includes the genitals, buttocks, anus, perineum, breasts (particularly the nipples), inner surfaces of the thighs, armpits, naval, neck, ears (especially the lobes), and the mouth (lips, tongue, and the entire oral cavity). Secondary erogenous zones include all other regions of the body. These locations become eroticized because they are touched within the context of sexual intimacies.
How do aphrodisiac and anaphrodisiacs work? What are some examples of each? Do not confuse lowered inhibitions with a true aphrodisiac.
An aphrodisiac is a substance that allegedly arouses sexual desire and increases the capacity for sexual activity (alcohol, amphetamines, amyl nitrite, barbiturates, cantharides, cocaine, LSD, L-dopa, marijuana, yohimbine). An anaphrodisiac is a substance that inhibits sexual desire and behavior (antiandrogens, opiates, tranquilizers, anticoagulants, antihypertensives, antidepressants, nicotine, birth control pills, etc.).
What is the relationship between androgen’s and sexual arousal? What happens if you have too much?
The relationship between androgens and sexual arousal is that the dominant androgen in both males and females is testosterone. Testosterone helps increase sexual arousal. In males, testosterone has a greater effect on male sexual desire than on sexual functioning. In females, testosterone enhances sexual desire and arousal. If you have too much in males it can; disrupt natural hormone cycles, cause salt and fluid retention, and hair loss. In women excess testosterone can stimulate significant growth of facial and body hair, increase muscle mass, reduce breast size, and enlarge the clitoris.
Describe Helen Singer Kaplan’s Three Stage Model of Sexual Arousal. What does she include that Masters and Johnson did not?
Helen Singer Kaplan’s Three Stage Model of Sexual Arousal contains three stages, desire, excitement, and orgasm. This model is distinguished by its identification of desire as a prelude to sexual response. Kaplan suggested that sexual difficulties tend to fall into one of these three categories and that is possible for a person to have difficulty in one while continuing to function normally in the other two. She includes desire that Masters and Johnson did not, but also eliminates plateau and resolution.
