Sexual Arousal and Response

Question 1

key structures

Answer 1

− Cerebral cortex: higher mental processes
− Limbic system: various sites linked to sexual behavior
− Neurotransmitters: dopamine facilitates and serotonin inhibits
sexual arousal and activity

Question 2

All sensory systems can contribute to arousal

Answer 2

− Touch tends to predominate
 Primary erogenous zones
 Secondary erogenous zones
− Vision is the second dominate
 Men self-report higher arousal to visual stimuli
 Women and men have similar physiological responses

Question 3

Smell may arouse or offend

Answer 3

pheromones

Question 4

Taste plays a minor role

Answer 4

Partly influenced by industry advertisements

Question 5

Hearing plays a variable role

Answer 5

Some find sound arousing
 Others prefer silence

Question 6

Aphrodisiacs

Answer 6

Substances believed to arouse sexual desire or increase capacity for
sexual activity
− Foods, drugs, and alcohol
* No clear evidence of genuine aphrodisiac qualities
− Role of expectations: if a person believes something will improve
their sex life, it is often translated into subjective enhancement
pleasure

Question 7

Inhibit sexual behavior

Answer 7

Drugs
 Opiates, tranquilizers, antihypertensives, antidepressants, etc.
− Birth control pills
 Reduce blood levels of free testosterone
− Nicotine
 Constricts blood flow
 Possibly reduces circulating testosterone

Question 8

Steroid hormones

Answer 8

− Androgens (including testosterone)
 Produced by testes, adrenal glands, and ovaries
− Estrogens
 Produced by ovaries and testes
− Women and men produce both types

Question 9

Neuropeptide hormones

Answer 9

Oxytocin

Question 10

Testosterone

Answer 10

− Linked to sexual desire and genital sensitivity
− Castration leads to reduced sexual desire
− Antiandrogen drugs reduce testosterone
− Hypogonadism is a testosterone deficiency that results from
certain endocrine system diseases

Question 11

Sex Hormones in Female Sexual Behavior

Answer 11

Estrogen
− Overall link between estrogen and female sexual behavior is
unclear
− Estrogen therapy (ET): can lead to sexual benefits (e.g.,
heightened lubrication and desire
testosterone
Important libido-facilitating hormone in females

Question 12

How Much Testosterone Is Necessary?

Answer 12

For normal sexual functioning
− Forms of testosterone: attached and unattached
 Unattached testosterone is linked to libido
 Women have less testosterone, but their cells are more sensitive to it
− Too much testosterone is linked to adverse effects
− Testosterone levels decrease with age
 Fairly rapid decrease for women at menopause; more gradual decline
for men
 Testosterone replacement therapy: supplements

Question 13

Oxytocin and Sexual Behavior

Answer 13

Secreted during cuddling and physical intimacy
− Increased skin sensitivity
− Associated with orgasmic release
− Facilitates emotional and erotic bonding
− Linked to social attachment

Question 14

Kaplan’s three-stage model

Answer 14

Desire, excitement, and orgasm

Question 15

Bancroft and Janssen’s dual control model

Answer 15

Sexual response results from a balance between excitatory and
inhibitory processes

Question 16

Masters and Johnson’s four-phase model

Answer 16

Excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution

Question 17

The Grafenberg Spot

Answer 17

Area of erotic sensitivity on lower front wall of vagina
− Sensitive to pressure
− Sometimes results in ejaculation of fluid
− Located by systematic palpation of the entire front wall of the
vagina

Question 18

Females Aging and the Sexual Response Cycle

Answer 18

Older females: response cycle continues but with decreased intensity
− Excitement: vaginal lubrication begins more slowly, reduced
amount
− Plateau: decreased vagina flexibility
− Orgasm: number of uterine contractions decrease
− Resolution: occurs more rapidly

Question 19

Males Aging and the Sexual Response Cycle

Answer 19

Older males: response cycle continues but with changes in intensity
and duration of response
− Excitement: more stimulation to obtain erection
− Plateau: able to sustain plateau phase longer
− Orgasm: reduced muscular contractions and force of ejaculation
− Resolution: occurs more rapidly and refractory period lengthens

Question 20

Differences Between the Sexes in
Sexual Response

Answer 20

Greater variability in female response
− See Figures 6.3 and 6.4
* Male refractory period
− Certain minimum time must elapse after orgasm before another
climax
* Multiple orgasms
− More than one orgasm within a short time period
− Most women have the capacity for multiple orgasms