1. Physical Attraction and Sex

2. Why are we only attracted to some people?
People like others with positive traits.
Especially honesty
People also like others who are not perfect, the “pratfall effect”
People like others who are close in vicinity (propinquity)
People like familiar others (Familiarity)
Also known as the mere exposure effect
People like others who are similar to them in values and personality (Similarity—aka homogamy)

3. Why are we only attracted to some people?
People like those who like them (Reciprocity)
Especially true when the other person’s liking seems to be a reflection of knowing them (as opposed to just being a person who likes everyone).
People are attracted to attractive others.
But, people tend to ask out others who are similar to them in level of physical attractiveness.
There is a "what is beautiful is good" stereotype.
People assume that attractive others are nicer and smarter than less attractive others.
People find symmetrical faces and average features physically attractive.

4. Why are we only attracted to some people?
Misattribution of arousal increases people’s attraction to others.
If people see someone while their heart rate is elevated, they are likely to find that person more attractive
Those who are hard to get may be seen as more attractive.
Only true for those who are hard to get for everyone but oneself.
People who are selectively hard to get are most attractive.

5. Sex and Sexuality Physical attraction  sex “Mixed messages” about sex
No universals in sexual attitudes, experiences or preferences
Continuum from very conservative to liberal

7. Sex and personal values
How much/how soon in a relationship is sex appropriate?
Do you require a condom for vaginal or anal intercourse?
Do you require that your partner gets tested for STDs before you have sex?
Do you tell your partner the actual number of previous sexual partners?
Do you tell your partner your sexual fantasies?

8. Sex in historical context
Before the 20th century: Patriarchal sex
sex = reproduction protect male line of descent
Traditional gender roles
20th century: expressive sex
sex= intimacy
Relational vs. recreational sex

9. Sex in historical context cont’d
Sexual “revolution” or “evolution”
Playboy Magazine in 1953
Birth control pill in 1960
Cosmopolitan in 1965

11. Culture and sex Definition of ‘sexy’ varies across cultures
What is considered sexy in the West?
What is considered sexy in the East?

12. Culture and Beauty

13. Culture and Beauty
Burma and Thailand, members of the Kayan tribe

14. Culture and Beauty
the Maori people of New Zealand

15. Culture and Beauty
Karo tribe in southern Ethiopia

16. Research on Sex: Milestones
Kinsey Reports
Sexual Behavior in the Human Male (1948)
Sexual Behavior in the Human Female (1953)
Masters and Johnson
Human sexual response (1966)

17. Sexual Response
Masters & Johnson's four phases of physiological arousal
Excitement:
body’s initial response to feelings of sexual desire, may last from minutes to several hours.
Plateau
the highest point of sexual excitement, generally lasts between 30 seconds and three minutes.
Orgasm
peak of the plateau stage and the point at which sexual tension is released, generally lasts for less than a minute.
Resolution
stage—the period during which the body returns to its pre-excitement state

18. Marital sex Social legitimacy Declining frequency Satisfaction
Habituation
Increased access to sex partner.
Predictability of sexual activity with that partner over time.
Older age: Diseases, medications, energy levels
Satisfaction
Married people had greatest emotional satisfaction with sex.

19. Sexual Frequency Averages per month:
12 times for 20 to 25 year old spouses
8 times for 30 to 34 year old spouses
6 times for 50 year old spouses
Less than 1 time for 74 year old spouses

21. Homosexuality What is heterosexism? What is homophobia?
People’s tolerance of LGTB life style depends on whether they see it as a choice or biologically determined.
‘Coming out’ in the LGBT community happens in stages:
Sensitization
Identity confusion
Identity assumption
Commitment

22. Homosexuality ‘Coming out’ in the LGBT community happens in stages:
Sensitization
Identity confusion
Identity assumption
Commitment