Chapter 9 Flashcards
Why is the study of human sexual response important?
Assists individuals in developing sexual skills
Strategies for solving sexual issues
An opportunity to explore the findings of
human sexuality research in this area
-objective and subjective findings
What are the 4 stages of sexual response according to masters and Johnson ?
Excitement
Plateau
Orgasm
Resolution
*using objective measuring tools
What are the 2 main processes of sexual response?
Vasocongestion
Myotonia
What is Vasocongestion?
Smooth muscles relaxes; arteries dilate; increased blood flow, HR and BP
Results? Erections, lubrication in females
What is Myotonia?
Muscle tension
Results? Contractions in genitals and other body parts
What type of excitement happens in both sexes?
Vasocongestion
Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Myotonia
-Nipples become erect
Sex flush
What are the physiological excited states present in only males?
Erection (vasocongestion)
- 3-8 seconds in young men
- Slowed by alcohol, age, fatigue
Scrotal skin thickens
What are the physiological excited states present in only females?
Anatomical/physiologic responses
- Upper two thirds of vagina expand Cervical-uterine retraction
- Clitoris sensitivity increases -due to blood engorgement
Ini females what does vasocongestion produce?
Vasocongestion produces:
- Transudation
- lubrication of vaginal walls
- Engorgement of corpora cavernosa, crura, vestibular bulbs
- Both labias swell and open up
What is the plateau?
Both sexes
Vasocongestion reaches its peak
In Females:
Formation of the “orgasmic platform” Tightening of vaginal entrance
! “gripping sensation” Clitoris retracts into body
What happens during orgasm in both genders?
Blood pressure, breathing, heart rate at maximum levels
Muscles contract throughout body
-E.g., face, feet/hands, rectal sphincter
What happens to females during oragsm??
Orgasmic platform contracts at 0.8 second intervals
-3 to 15 times
Uterine contractions occur
-Recall parameters around sex and pregnancy
What are the 2 phases in male orgasm?
Phase I
- Internal sex structures contract
- Semen forced into bulb at base of urethra
- will automatically go into phase 2 at this point
Phase II
-Semen expelled by muscles contractions of penis and urethra
What happens in resolution phase in both sexes?
Myotonia, heart rate, breathing return to normal
Sex flush disappears
Nipple erection subsides slowly
What happens during resolution in males only?
Detumescence—loss of erection
Testes, scrotum return to normal
Refractory period—incapable of further arousal and orgasm
-A few minutes to up to 24 hours
What happens during resolution in females only?
Clitoris returns to normal position
Vagina/uterus return to normal state
lack of orgasm may
dramatically slow
resolution
-Pelvic congestion can remain if no release
What were the critisisms of masters and Johnson?
No account of cognitive or subjective sexual response
Sampling
- Argued did not need a random sample because studied normative processes
- Participants characterized by high sexual desire and orgasm
What is the Kaplan triphasic model?
Sexual desire (psychological/ cognitive component)
Vasocongestion (excitement)
Muscular contractions (orgasm)
• Brought in aspect of psychological component that can prepare people for a sexual emcountrer
What does the Kaplan triphasic model think about vasocongestion and myotonia?
Thought of as separate processes
- Location: parasympathetic vs. sympathetic
- Body part: blood vessels vs. muscles
- Control: involuntary vs. some learned control
- Impairment: erectile vs. ejaculation
What is the Basson’s Intimacy model?
Desire before arousal
- Begin sex for intimacy, experience arousal, experience desire
- Women may be less aware of genital vasocongestion and arousal
What did Bassons intimacy model say about couples in longterm relationships?
- Studied lonterm couples
- Not unusually for a longer term relationshp wont always have the same desire on the same life all the time
- If it wasn’t initiated by the person who wasn’t aroused then all the physiological aspects of arounsal still happened later
What is the dual control model?
Two basic processes Excitation (arousal response) and Inhibition (stopping arousal response)
Research is over focussed on excitement/ arousal
Ability to inhibit sexual arousal appropriately is essential to healthy social functioning
Who invented to dual control model?
John Bancroft
Is there differences in orgasm between he sexes?
Subjective descriptions of orgasm by college students
Male/female reports indistinguishable
Can both sexes have multiple orgasms?
Kinsey Research
-14% of women regular multiples
Masters and Johnson
- 5-20 orgasms in masturbation
- Sample of nurses: 43% regular multiples
Men?
Possible if no loss of erection or ejaculation
What is the other term for the g-spot?
Grafenberg Spot
Female prostate
Where is the female G spot and what does it do?
Located on front vaginal wall; ducts open into urethra
- Ejaculate’s smell, taste and composition is different than urine
- Alkaline like prostate fluid
Stimulated by fingers, rear entry, female on top positions
- identifiable by MRI
- produces Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
Where is the male g-spot?
Perineum
-Area between scrotum and anus
Prostate gland
- Access through anus (finger curved towards belly)
- May feel walnut shaped bump
What are the implications of faking an orgasm?
Concerns
-Hinders partner’s learning of your arousal
-Opens up cycle of miscommunication
mistrust
*both genders can fake
What are the characteristics and how you get an erection?
Cognitive and/or tactile stimulation-> lowest part of spinal cord
- Sacral region
- Vasocongestion
Message to parasympathetic division of ANS
Muscles relax, arteries expand, blood flows
-valves reduce blood flow out during erect
What is the physiology of ejaculation?
Parasympathetic and Sympathetic divisions of the nervous system are involved
Ejaculation centre triggers a muscular response
- lumbar portion
- Sympathetic stimulation of muscular contractions
What are the issues with ejaculaiton?
Rapid Ejaculation
- Premature ejaculation
- -Kegels
- -Stop Start technique
Delayed Ejaculation
Situational Ejaculatory dysfunction
Retrograde Ejaculation
- Dysfunction of the internal and external sphincters
- Ejaculate empties into the bladder
- Dry orgasm results
- Harmless condition
where is the sensory input reflex for females in the spinal cord?
Sacral portion
Which nerves fibres innervate the clit and vagina?
Sympathetiic and parasympathetic
What primes the Brian to respond to sexuall stimuli?
Hormones
-can influences sexual behaviour and function
What does testosterone affect in terms of sexual desire?
Libido and sexual desires in both genders
Where is testosterone produced in either genders?
Males produce testosterone in the testicles
Females produce testosterone from the ovaries and adrenal glands
What are pheramones?
Olfactory centres of the brain closely associated to areas of the brain stimulated during sexual response
Biochemical compounds secreted outside the body
Non Human animals use pheromones in communication and optimize copulatory reproductive success
Cranial nerve zero found in humans and non-human animals
What are aphrodisiacs?
Substances that increase (or people believe increase) sexual desire
Varies from person to person
No proof or these that substances that increase sexual desire , supposed to entice and encourage behaviours
What are the categories of aphrodisiacs?
Foods (e.g., oysters, bull’s testicles, ground reindeer antlers)
Herbs
Drugs/alcohol (e.g., small amounts of alcohol, amyl nitrate)
Exercise
Cold showers
Potassium Nitrate
What are the sexual side effects?
With SSRI therapy for depression/anxiety
- Sexual side effects common
- Pharmaceutical companies claim the side effects should reverse with cessation of treatment
What influences arousal?
Sight
Sound
Taste/smell
Erogenous zones
What were the general thoughts about masturbation in the 19thc
Fear it would lead to insanity, illness, sterility
What are the thoughts about masturbation in todays day and age?
Today we know there are no health risks
- May have therapeutic benefit
- -Correlation between masturbation in adolescence and sexual satisfaction in marriage
What is cyber sex?
Sexual intimacy achieved while online without physical contact with a partner
- self-stimulation
- intimate photos or videos shared
- sexually stimulating dialogue
How do you achieve effective communication?
When intentions match impact
Chose appropriate time and dont make assumption
Avoid non-constructive communication
Active listening
Body language
What are some communication techniques for delivering a message?
Use “I” language
Don’t engage in mind reading
Be specific
-Document if necessary
Accentuate the positive
Draw a partner out
What are keys to exceptional sex?
being entirely present during sex
interpersonal connection
deep intimacy through mutual self disclosure
reciprocal emotional sensitivity
emotional safety to be uninhibited and vulnerable
exploration and sexual growth
opportunity for optimal connection and personal growth
