Copyright 2017 Cengage Learning All Rights Reserved The Brain and Sexual Arousal Key structures Cerebral cortex higher mental processes Limbic system various sites linked to sexual behavior ID: 571179
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Slide1
Sexual Arousal and Response
Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.Slide2
The Brain and Sexual Arousal
Key structuresCerebral cortex: higher mental processes
Limbic system: various sites linked to sexual behavior
Neurotransmitters: dopamine facilitates and serotonin inhibits sexual arousal and activity
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Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.
The Limbic SystemSlide4
All sensory systems can contribute to arousal
Touch tends to predominatePrimary erogenous zonesSecondary erogenous zones
Vision is the second dominate
Men self-report higher arousal to visual stimuli
Women and men have similar physiological responses
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The Senses and Sexual ArousalSlide5
Smell may arouse or offend
PheromonesTaste plays a minor rolePartly influenced by industry advertisements
Hearing plays a variable role
Some find sound arousing
Others prefer silence
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The Senses and Sexual Arousal (cont’d.)Slide6
Aphrodisiacs: Do They Work?
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
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Anaphrodisiacs
Inhibit sexual behaviorDrugs
Opiates, tranquilizers, antihypertensives, antidepressants, etc.
Birth control pills
Reduce blood levels of free testosterone
Nicotine
Constricts blood flow
Possibly reduces circulating testosterone
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Steroid hormones
Androgens (including testosterone)Produced by testes, adrenal glands, and ovariesEstrogens
Produced by ovaries and testes
Women and men produce both types
Neuropeptide hormonesOxytocin
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The Role of Hormones in Sexual BehaviorSlide9
Sex Hormones in Male Sexual Behavior
Testosterone
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
Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.Slide10
Estrogens
Overall link between estrogen and female sexual behavior is unclearEstrogen therapy (ET): can lead to sexual benefits (e.g., heightened lubrication and desire)Testosterone
Important libido-facilitating hormone in females
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Sex Hormones in Female Sexual BehaviorSlide11
How Much Testosterone Is Necessary?
For normal sexual functioning
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
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Oxytocin and Sexual Behavior
Secreted during cuddling and physical intimacy
Increased skin sensitivity
Associated with orgasmic release
Facilitates emotional and erotic bondingLinked to social attachment
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Sexual Response
Kaplan’s three-stage modelDesire, excitement, and orgasm
Masters
and Johnson’s four-phase model
Excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution
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Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.
Kaplan
’
s Three-Stage ModelSlide15
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Female
Sexual Response CycleSlide16
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Male
Sexual Response CycleSlide17
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Four Phases of the Sexual Response CycleSlide18
Aging and the Sexual Response Cycle
Older women: 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
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Older men: response cycle continues, but with changes in intensity and duration of response
Excitement: more stimulation to obtain erectionPlateau: able to sustain plateau phase longer
Orgasm: reduced muscular contractions and force of ejaculation
Resolution: occurs more rapidly and refractory period lengthens
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Aging and the Sexual Response Cycle (cont’d.)Slide20
Greater variability in female response
See Figure 6.3Male refractory periodCertain 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
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Differences Between the Sexes
in Sexual ResponseSlide21
Summary
Sexual arousal and sexual response in humans are influenced by many factors
Brain’s capacity to create images and fantasies
Our emotions and the level of intimacy
Various sensory processes and hormones
Biological factors and events
Differences between the sexes
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