Sex & Love (chpt.4)

Question 1

Sexual Arousal

Answer 1

Four phases: Excitement, Plateau, Orgasm, Resolution Found in both men and women

Question 2

Evolutionary Psychology

Answer 2

Theory: Some strategies that get genes ‘passed on’ will be inherited, e.g.,
males may want uncommitted sex more –‘spreads male genes’;
Women may want a partner with status –‘more protection for the children

Question 3

Learned component

Answer 3

Pictures and stories with sexual themes may be sexually arousing Content may be more sexual or more romantic Men more aroused by sexual theme.
Woman more aroused by romantic themes.
Now more equality accepted.
Women may have reluctant to admit sexual theme interest in past.

Question 4

Sexual scripts

Answer 4

(SS): Informal ideas of ‘how to act in sexual encounters.

Question 5

Cognitive Component

Answer 5

Attitudes, beliefs about sex can have a lot of effect on sex behavior and how sex feels belief ‘sex drive’ higher in males:
Makes male promiscuity seem more acceptable.
May make men more (and women less) aware of their sexual arousal.
Male sexuality ‘adventure,’ female sexuality ‘closeness.’

Question 6

Love

Answer 6

Biological component.
Neurotransmitters and hormones:
Testosterone: Related to ‘basic feeling of lust’ in both men and women.
Dopamine, Norepinephrine, and, especially, Phenylethylamine (PEA) are linked with feeling of ‘falling in love.’
PEA
–is linked with love’s ‘feeling of bliss.’
–is also present in chocolate

Endorphins (‘endogenous morphine’) and oxytocin are linked to a longer-term ‘feeling of attachment.
Endorphins are also part of the ‘runner’s high.’
Oxytocin is also part of mother-infant bonding

Question 7

Learned Component

Answer 7

Primary predictor of love: Proximity.
People cannot fall in love if they do not meet.
‘Chance encounters’ are important.After proximity: Dating.
‘Love at first sight’ apparently occurs,
but most people need to get to know the other person.

Question 8

Cognitive Component Sternberg’s triarchic model of love

Answer 8

Passion, intimacy and commitment.
Passion: Includes ‘lust’ (testosterone) and ‘falling in love’ (PEA) aspects.
Intimacy: We can even be intimate (‘self- disclosing’) _________ friends.
Some are more intimate with friends than with spouses.
Commitment: by itself, just ‘doing duty

Question 9

Triarchic model

Answer 9

Passion & intimacy = romantic love.
Passion & commitment = fatuous love.
Here we may find more intimacy with friends than spouse.
Intimacy & commitment = companionate love.
In some old couples this can be a big _________.
Passion, intimacy & commitment = consummate love (the best).
Staying fully in love requires a lot of thought, not just ‘feeling.’