1. Sexual Expression: Arousal and Response
Chapter Ten
Sexual Expression: Arousal and Response

2. Agenda Discuss Influences on Sexuality Review Sexual Response
Discuss Solitary Sexual Behavior
Discuss Sexual Behavior with Others
Discuss Sexual Behavior Later in Life
Discuss Safer-Sex Behaviors

3. Class Discussion: Sexual Compatibility
How would you define sexual compatibility? What could a couple do to assess it?
Should a couple try to have an orgasm at the same time?
What are the benefits?
What are the disadvantages?

4. Influences on Sexuality
Hormones
Ethnicity
Religion

5. Hormones
Both sexes produce estrogen & testosterone, though in different amounts that decrease in age
Estrogen decline in older women slows growth of vaginal cells, which thins the wall, increases dryness, & decreases vaginal sensitivity
Testosterone levels remain constant in aging women, which may increase sexual desire
Aging men experience decreases in testosterone, which can decrease sexual desire and quality & quantity of erections

6. Ethnicity
In male dominant cultures, women tend to be less knowledgeable & less likely to discuss sex
Ethnicity can affect our sexual behaviors, frequency, attitudes, communications
African American men & women have the most partners
White & Hispanic women are more likely than black women to be involved in a variety of sexual behaviors
White women are more likely than black or Hispanic women to give & receive oral sex

7. Religion In general, the more religious a person is:
the more conservative their sexual attitudes and behavior
the less they have premarital intercourse
the less they engage in risky sexual behavior
the less they approve of oral sex
the more guilt they experience about sexual behavior

8. Sexual Response Masters & Johnson’s Four-Phase Sexual Response Cycle
The Sexual Response Cycle in Women
The Sexual Response Cycle in Men

9. Studying Sexual Response
Sexual response – series of physiological & psychological changes during sexual behavior

10. Masters & Johnson’s Four-Phase Sexual Response Cycle
Four-phase model of physiological changes that occur during sexual behavior, regardless of sexual orientation
Four phases:
Excitement
Plateau
Orgasm
Resolution

11. The Sexual Response Cycle in Women
Sexual response varies in time spent in each phase among women, & with menstrual cycle

12. Women: Excitement Phase
Excitement: Many stimuli induce excitement
This phase may last minutes to hours
Vasocongestion – increased blood flow to the genitals and/or breasts
Transudation (vaginal lubrication) occurs within 30 seconds, longer if lying down
Tenting effect – vaginal walls expand
Continued …

13. Women: Excitement Phase
Breasts & areolas enlarge, nipples erect
For childless women:
Labia majora thin & flatten out
Labia minora turn bright pink & swell
For women with children:
Quick vasocongestion & enlargement of labia majora & minora, clitoris may erect
Sex flush on chest first, then spreads

14. Women: Plateu Phase May last between 30 seconds & 3 minutes
Breast size continues to increase
Clitoris retracts behind hood shortly before orgasm
Clitoral hood rubbing & pulling causes the orgasm during sexual intercourse
For childless women:
Flattened labia majora & red labia minora
For women with children
Labia majora engorge & turn dark red
Orgasm can release the pressure from increased vasocongestion

15. Women: Orgasm Phase
Orgasmic platform due to vasocongestion in pelvic area
When the vasocongestive pressure reaches a threshold, a reflex of surrounding muscles is triggered
These contractions (primarily uterine muscles) expel the pooled blood & causes pleasurable orgasmic sensations

16. Women: Orgasm Phase Orgasmic contractions occur every 0.8 seconds
There are 8-15 contractions in women, the first 5-6 are felt most strongly
This phase has the peak blood pressure and respiration rates
May reduce menstrual cramps by expelling blood from the region

17. Women: Resolution Phase
Takes about 5-10 minutes
Body returns to preexcitement conditions
Blood leaves the genitals, erections dissipate, muscles relax, heart & breathing rates decrease
Some women can experience multiple orgasms with further stimulation
Clitoris may still be sensitive

18. The Sexual Response Cycle in Men
The four-phases are less defined in men

19. Men: Excitement Phase Often very short phase
Tumescence – vasocongestive swelling of the penis
Erection is unstable
Testicles increase by about 50% in size
Testicles are pulled closer to the body

20. Men: Plateu Phase May develop a sex flush Nipple erections
Glans penis engorges with blood
Erection is more stable
Preejaculatory fluid may appear on the head of the penis

21. Men: Orgasm Phase
Ejaculation does not always accompany orgasm; men can learn to control it
If ejaculation occurs with orgasm, there are 2 stages:
In a few seconds, the vas deferens, seminal vesicles, & prostate gland contract
These contractions will to ejaculatory inevitability
These initial contractions, though, can be controlled.
semen is forced out of the urethra by muscle contractions that occur every 0.8 seconds, the first 3-4 are felt most strongly

22. Men: Resolution Phase Resolution Glans penis decreases in size
Refractory stage – period in which men cannot be re-stimulated to orgasm
Time period increases as men age

23. Other Models of Sexual Response

24. Class Discussion: Controversy about Masters and Johnson Response Cycle
Some disagree with Masters & Johnson’s model because it focuses on orgasm
It lacks relational and emotional qualities
It is based on a male model of sexuality
How do relational/emotional qualities influence satisfaction?
How can couples be encouraged to enjoy all phases of the sexual response cycle?

25. Kaplan’s Triphasic Model
Helen Singer Kaplan’s three-stage model of sexual response includes the psychological phase of sexual desire and two physiological stages of excitement and orgasm.
Sexual desire was of paramount importance to Kaplan because, without it, the other two physiological functions would not occur.

26. Helen Singer Kaplan’s Three Phase Model

27. Other Models of Sexual Response
Reed’s Erotic Stimulus Pathway (ESP)
4 phases:
Seduction & sensation phases are psychosocial, surrender (orgasm), reflection (reflect on the experience)

28. David Reed’s Erotic Stimulus Pathway (ESP) model blends features of Masters and Johnson’s and Kaplan’s models using four phases: seduction, sensation, surrender, and reflection.

29. Other Models of Sexual Response
Tiefer’s New View model
Many important aspects of sexuality: pleasure, emotionality, sensuality, cultural differences, power issues, communication
Women’s sexual experiences don’t neatly coincide with Master’s & Johnson’s model

30. Solitary Sexual Behavior
Sexual Fantasy
Masturbation

31. Sexual Fantasy – Enhancement or Unfaithfulness?
Sexual fantasies are normal and healthy
They may be a driving force in human sexuality
Men tend to have sexual fantasies and cognitions more often than women
Similar fantasies regardless of sexual orientation, with the exception of the gender of the fantasized partner
Most people have a select few fantasies

32. College Students and Sexual Fantasy
The majority use sexual fantasy and feel little guilt
Some experience a lot of guilt and this may decrease their engagement in intimate behaviors
Some college student reported jealousy over their partner’s fantasies and equated it with unfaithfulness in a relationship

33. Women’s Sexual Fantasies
Sexual fantasy is used to increase arousal, self-esteem, & sexual interest, as well as cope with past hurts and relieve stress
Age is unrelated to types of sexual fantasies
Compared to men’s fantasies, women’s fantasies tend to:
be more passive, submissive, romantic
include more touching, feeling, partner response, and ambiance

34. Women’s Sexual Fantasies
5 most common:
sex with current partner
reliving a past sexual experience
engaging in different positions
having sex in rooms other than the bedroom
sex on a carpeted floor

35. Women’s Sexual Fantasies
Many report using sexual force fantasies
May reduce guilt for having desires
May indicate openness to experiences
May be from past sexual abuse
Women are in control in their fantasies

36. Men’s Sexual Fantasies
Compared to women’s fantasies, men’s fantasies tend to:
Be more active and aggressive
Are more frequent, impersonal, and visual
Involve explicit sex acts and focus on partner as a sex object
Involve someone other than the current partner

37. Men’s Sexual Fantasies
5 most common:
different positions
having an aggressive partner
receiving oral sex
having sex with a new partner
having sex on the beach

38. Video: Seinfeld’s “The Contest”

39. Class Discussion: Masturbation
Why do you think it is more common for men than for women to masturbate?
The text suggests that there is a “masturbation taboo” for women. What would contribute to this taboo?

40. Masturbation – A Very Individual Choice
In the past, masturbation was feared as a cause of mental & physical problems
Currently it is viewed as a way to promote healthy sexuality
It can decrease sexual tension & anxiety
It can be an outlet for sexual fantasy
It allows a person to test their own body
Couples can use it during intercourse (mutual masturbation)

41. Masturbation – A Very Individual Choice
Masturbation is the main sexual outlet in adolescence
In some cultures it is openly accepted, in some religions it is forbidden
People with regular sex masturbate more than those without regular sex

42. Female Masturbation
The average women has an orgasm in 95%+ of her masturbatory attempts
Masturbation tends to produce the most intense orgasms in women
Masturbation taboo for women, based on the double standard that women are not sexual
May use vibrators or dildos
Some concentrate on the clitoris, vulva, vagina, or anus

43. Male Masturbation
The largest gender difference in sexual behavior is in masturbation frequency
Masturbatory men do so 3x more than women
48% of single men & 28% of women masturbate weekly or more
Not all men feel comfortable masturbating

44. Sexual Behavior with Others
Foreplay
Manual Sex
Oral Sex
Heterosexual Sexual Intercourse
Same-Sex Sexual Techniques

45. Class Discussion: Safer Sex
There are no sexual behaviors that protect a person 100% of the time—with the exception of solo masturbation and sexual fantasy.
“Safer sex” refers to specific sexual behaviors that are safer to engage in because they protect against the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections.
Identify as many specific activities as possible that offer some protection against STIs.
What factors influence safer sexual practices?

46. Foreplay – The Prelude?
Typically defined as everything that happens before penetration
A male dominated view
Many lesbians do not use the term foreplay as all sexual behavior is “sex”

47. Manual Sex – A Safer-Sex Behavior
“Hand jobs”
Physical caressing of the genitals in solo or partner masturbation
Bodily fluids are not exchanged; safer sex
Women differ in clitoral touching preferences
Many men like strong, consistent strokes of the penis, some light strokes of the scrotum; do not restrict the urethra (underside of penis)
More nerve endings at the tip of the penis

48. Oral Sex – Not So Taboo Cunnilingus – oral sex on a woman
Fellatio – oral sex on a man
Majority of Americans have oral sex
Many engage in oral sex before they had their first intercourse experience
Black women engage in less oral sex than white women
People with higher education levels tend to engage in more oral sex

49. Oral Sex – Not So Taboo
Oral sex is often used as part of foreplay, or instead of other sexual behaviors
69 – mutual oral sex
Anilingus (rimming) – oral stimulation of the anus
Hygiene practices are important to reduce possible spread of infections
Most would rather receive, than give, oral sex
Cold sores can transmit infections in oral sex

50. Cunnilingus Some women have cleanliness concerns
Anxieties may prevent women’s enjoyment
Many men find it erotic
Most women prefer it begin slowly, gradually
Some enjoy simultaneous digital stimulation of the vagina or anus
Air embolisms may form and be fatal if air is blown into a pregnant woman’s vagina
Most popular lesbian sexual behavior

51. Fellatio Most popular sexual behavior for gay men
Some men enjoy having one testicle in their partner’s mouth with the tongue stroking it
Many enjoy simultaneous hand stimulation of the penile shaft, while the head is sucked on
Teeth can cause pain if not covered by the lips

52. Fellatio If the male is not infected, swallowing ejaculate is fine
Ejaculate is usually larger if a long time has passed since the last ejaculation
1-2 teaspoons of semen are ejaculated
Ejaculate contains 5 calories of fructose, enzymes, vitamins
Ejaculate taste can vary depending on the man’s diet & stress level

53. Heterosexual Sexual Intercourse
3 American categories
1/3 have intercourse at least 2x/week
1/3 have intercourse a few times a month
1/3 have intercourse a few times a year or not at all
National average is once a week

54. Class Discussion
If a person can’t reach orgasm during a sexual interaction but doesn’t want to hurt his or her partners’ feelings, do you think it would be OK to fake the orgasm just once? Why or why not?

55. Number of sexual partners reported by females and males, years old. Source: National Health and Social Life Survey, as reported in Laumann et al., 1994.

56. Heterosexual Sexual Intercourse
Pornography reinforces idea that women like fast & rough thrusting
Longer thrusting does not mean a woman is closer to an orgasm
Most people do not make eye contact in intimate situations

57. Positions for Sexual Intercourse
There are many positions for intercourse
Each has advantages and disadvantages
Four main positions are:
Male-on-top
Female-on-top
Side-by-side
Rear entry

58. Male-on-Top “Missionary” “male superior” Male controls the thrusting
Advantages: eye contact, kissing, hugging, most effective for procreation
Disadvantages: uncomfortable if obese or pregnant, large penis can bump the cervix, difficult to stimulate the clitoris, man must support his weight, difficulties in controlling erection & ejaculation

59. Female-on-Top “Female superior”
Advantages: woman has greater control, more clitoral stimulation, her partner’s hands are free for further stimulation, eye contact, kissing, hugging
Disadvantages: intromission (insertion of penis), some women may be uncomfortable being in an active role, some men may be uncomfortable with their partner in control

60. Side-by-Side
Advantages: can take it slow & extend intercourse, hands free for caressing each other, eye contact, kissing, talking
Disadvantages: difficulties with penetration, keeping momentum going, and deep penetration

61. Rear-Entry One variation is “doggie-style”
Advantages: this can be fast or slow, provide opportunity for clitoral stimulation by either partner, may directly stimulate the G-spot, helps those who are overweight or obese

62. Class Discussion
Male-on-top position seems to be the most common position for heterosexual couples despite the fact that there are some significant disadvantages (e.g., muscle strain may led to earlier ejaculation).
Why do you think it remains so common?
What could help couples try more positions?

63. Anal Intercourse Practiced by men & women of all sexual orientations
May lead to orgasm, especially with simultaneous clitoral or penile stimulation
1/4 of adults have had anal sex at least once
Lubrication is required; the tissue is fragile and does not self-lubricate
Anal sphincter needs to be relaxed
One of the riskiest sexual behaviors

64. Same-Sex Sexual Techniques
Gay men use many sexual techniques
Most common is fellatio, followed by mutual masturbation, anal sex, & body rubbing
Also enjoy hugging, kissing, caressing
Fisting/Hand-balling - the insertion of the fist & sometimes part of the forearm into the anus
Interfemoral intercourse – thrust penis between the partner’s thighs
Buttockry – penile rubbing in the buttocks

65. Same-Sex Sexual Techniques
Lesbians enjoy many sexual behaviors: kissing, body contact, caressing
Manual stimulation is the most common practice for lesbians, followed by cunnilingus
Tribadism – women rub their genitals together
May also use fisting, dildos, vibrators
Lesbian erotic role identification – “butch” & “femme”; biological & social explanations

66. Sexual Behavior Later in Life
Physical Changes
Changes in Sexual Behavior

67. Physical Changes
Many decreases in sexual functioning are exacerbated by sexual inactivity
Good nutrition, physical fitness, adequate rest & sleep, reduced alcohol intake, & positive self-esteem can enhance sexuality throughout life

68. Changes in Sexual Behavior
2 most frequent complaints of elderly men:
Decrease in sexual desire
Decreased ability to perform
Therefore, intercourse decreases, but masturbation increases
Physical problems can interfere with sexual functioning: arthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis

69. Safer-Sex Behaviors
Some sexual behaviors are safer to engage in because they protects against the risk of acquiring a STI
Only abstinence, solo masturbation, & fantasy protect 100% of the time
Some safer practices: decrease number of partners, know backgrounds of partners, have protected sex, use barrier contraception, limit alcohol intake