Sexuality Flashcards
what’s the #1 reason for having sex?
both men & women: “i was attracted to the person”
Sociosexual orientation
measure of individual differences in sexual strategies; extend to which individuals are restrictive or permissive in their attitudes towards casual sex
Sexual double standard
harsher judgment of women for engaging in similar sexual activity
-women socialized to restrict feelings of sexual desire to the context of committed intimate relationships
Sexual behavioural system
Innate-basic operation does not rely on socialization
Individual difference in sexual motives, emotions, behaviours reflect variations in functioning of the system
study were they make participants watch either sexy movie or cat behaviours movie, then potential partner
More intimate self-disclosure to potential partner after watching erotic video
Meaning: activation of sexual system promotes self-disclosure & responsiveness, which play key role in development of intimacy
Relationship stage model of sexual desire
across different stages, sexual desire motivates expenditure of effort towards deepening & maintaining the relationship
sexual desire makes it difficult to detach if the relationship is terminated
Why does romantic conflict sometimes increase sexual desire?
Threat to relationship = attachment system activation (seeking reassurance & closeness)
results of study looking at more sex = more happiness?
curvilinear effect. sexual frequency no longer associated with well-being at a frequency greater than once a week
Why having sex also impact our satisfaction & well-being : self-determination theory
we are happiest engaging in activities that meet the following needs:
-relatedness= feel close to others
-competence= feel confident & capable
-autonomy = feel that we can choose & control our own actions
fulfillment of all three needs uniquely predicts sexual & relationship satisfaction
Men exhibit sexual overperception bias. What is it?
perceive greater sexual intent in women’s behaviour compared to women’s self-reported intent & outsider observer woman ratings
What are the 3 components of sexual communication?
- Degree of sexual self-disclosure
- Quality of sexual communication
- Frequency of sexual communication
What is cognitive reappraisal? How can it help partners that are scared to have sexual communication
An emotion regulation strategy involving re-evaluation and reframing the meaning or significance of a situation
Going from “I’m going to embarrass myself” to “This is an opportunity to get closer to my partner”
By construing the situation as less aversive, will be less likely to avoid it
Unmitigated communion and impact on sexual & relationship satisfaction
Those who focus exclusively on partner’s needs to the exclusion of one’s own: experience less sexual & relationship satisf.
