VI. Sexual Self Flashcards
(43 cards)
4 parts of Sexual Self
Biological Perspective of One’s Sex
The Sexual Response Cycle
Chemistry of Lust, Attraction and Attachment
Sex, Gender, & Sexual Diversity
Features that appear during puberty in humans, and at sexual maturity
Secondary Sex Characteristics
⏷ Parts of the body that experience heightened sensitivity and/or signal sexual arousal of some kind
⏷ Where the libido is centered (according to Freud)
erogenous zones
What is the most powerful sex organ in the
body?
brain
The ______ is the most important part of the brain for sexual functioning.
hypothalamus
q Sex hormones that influence sexual behavior include:
Oxytocin, Prolactin, Vasopressin
Is a model that describes the physiological responses, that occur during sexual activity.
SEXUAL RESPONSE CYCLE
Is a model that describes the physiological responses, that occur during sexual activity.
The Sexual Response Cycle
The Sexual Response Cycle
desire
excitement
plateau
orgasm
resolution
Also called libido
A man or woman begins to want or “_________” gratification or sexual intimacy
May last from a moment to many years
desire
Also called arousal
Characterized by the body’s initial response to feelings of sexual desire
Example of body’s response: muscle tension increases, heart rate quickens and
breathing is accelerated. Skin may become flushed (blotches of redness appear on the chest and back). May last from minutes to several hours
excitement
Highest point of sexual excitement
The changes begun in phase 1 are intensified.
Example of body’s response: Breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure continue to
increase. Muscle spasms may begin in the feet, face, and hands. q Generally lasts 30 seconds - 3 minutes
plateau
Peak of the plateau stage; Point at which sexual tension is released
q Examples of Body’s responses: Involuntary muscle contractions begin, Blood pressure, heart
rate, and breathing are at their highest rates, with a rapid intake of oxygen. Muscles in the
feet spasm. There is a sudden, forceful release of sexual tension. q Generally lasts <1 minute
orgasm
Also called the Refractory period
q The body returns to its pre-excitement state
q Marked by a general sense of well-being, enhanced intimacy and, often, fatigue. q Duration varies greatly and generally increases with age
resolution
is a feeling of having a strong sexual desire for another person. It is the initial driving force that attracts us to a potential partner
People can experience feelings of ____ upon meeting someone new or within a committed partnership; It starts the sexual response cycle
____ may shut off the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which includes rational behavior.
lust
High levels of dopamine & norepinephrine, are released during ____.
These chemicals make us giddy, energetic, and euphoric, even leading to decreased appetite and insomnia.
attraction
_____ involves the brain pathways that control “reward” behavior,
which partly explains why the first few weeks or months of a relationship can be so exhilarating and even all-consuming.
attraction
is the predominant factor in
long-term relationships.
While lust and attraction are pretty much exclusive to
romantic entanglements,
_____ mediates friendships, parent-infant
bonding, social cordiality, and many other intimacies as well.
attachment
Primary hormones:
Oxytocin (cuddle hormone) is produced by the hypothalamus and released in large quantities during sex, breastfeeding, childbirth,
SKIN-to-SKIN contact.
Oxytocin, known also as the love hormone, provokes feelings of contentment, calmness, and security,
attachment
Vasopressin is linked to behavior that produces long-term, monogamous relationships.
Passionate love fades as attachment grows.
attachment
sometimes called biological sex, anatomical sex, or physical sex)
q A person’s identity based on their physical characteristics, genes and hormones.
q Male: Penis
q Female: Vagina
q Intersex: chromosomes and
hormones of a female/male but external genital is like that of a male/female
q Also refers to sexual acts, as in ‘having sex’ q Primary and Secondary Sex characteristics
sex
is the structure of social relations that centers on the reproductive arena, and the set of practices that bring reproductive distinctions into social processes.
q A term that refers to social or cultural distinctions associated with a given sex; it is generally considered to be a socially constructed concept.
q _____ underlies assumptions regarding ‘Masculine’ or ‘Feminine’ behavior
gender
Refers to the attitudes, feelings and behaviors that a given culture associates with a person’s biological sex.
q Behavior that is compatible with cultural expectations is referred to as gender ‐ normative; Behaviors that are viewed as incompatible with these expectations constitute _____ non ‐ conformity (APA, 2012).
gender
SEXUAL DIVERSITY
gender identity
gender expression
