Human Sexuality Test 3 class notes

Sexual orientation is a scale, not a category (0-7)

sexual preference defined as behavior

Focus on arousal and desire

• graph on x and y axis: x is heteroeroticism and y is homoeroticism
• -right hand upper: bisexual
• -left hand upper: Gay
• right hand lower: heterosexual
• -left hand lower: asexual

An adult whose motivated by a definite erotic preference for members of the same gender and usually, but not always, participates in overt sexual relations with them

Makes a distinction as different levels (to what extent does this aspect of their life define who they are

• -gay/lesbian: "this is who i am"
• -homosexual: this is my lifestyle
• -same sex attraction: this is how i feel

being in tune with a sensory experience

Clitoris does not change with age

• breast shape/size will change but sensitivity remains
• -erection of nipples less intense

sex flush less intense

vagina is less acidic and more prone to infection

vaginal walls thin

vaginal lubrication decreases

• Erection takes longer and requires direct stimulation
• -may be less firm
• -less ejaculate
• -return to flacid state quicker
• -longer refractory period

• vasalcongestion: blood flow
• myotonia: muscular contraction

• first indicator is erection
• -speed determined by age, fatigue, drugs

testes pull up toward body

heart rate, bp go up

skin of scrotum smooths out

testes swell

erection of nipple (myotonia)

about 1/2 of men will show sex flush

Mans erection becomes more stable

darkening of glans

• clear fuid at tip of glans
• -some lubrication fuction
• -may contain live sperm

• testes continue to pull up and turn forward
• -cremaster muscles do this function, and if extended creates blue balls effect

testes continue to increase in size until they are 50-100% larger than normal

heart rate and bp continue to rise

• Muscular contractino is rhythmic in pelvis
• -first cause pooling of ejaculate at base of penis
• -rest cause ejaculation in spurts

spike in heart rate and bp

general tensing of muscles

intense pleasure, feeling lost, a sense of union with partner

• Refractory period
• -can last from one minute to one hour +
• -with each episode the period lengthens

body reverses process from excitement and plateau phases

contentment, peacefullness

• beginning of lubrication in vaginal walls
• -vasalcongestion

inner part of vagina increases in size (tenting)

uterus elevates making cervical opening larger

nipples become erect

labia majora part and flatten

labia minora open and swell

heart rate and bp rise

clitoris enlarges (more pronounced)

sex flush begins in chest

end marked by sweling of breasts, veins become pronounced

• opening of vagina tightens
• -vasalcongestion
• -orgasmic platform

clitoris retracts inside body

breasts continue to swell

if phase is extended, lubrication may diminish

heart rate and bo continue to rise

moving to the end of this phase, the labia minora become darker in color

Some women cannot orgasm

some experience multiple orgasms

intense pleasure, getting lose, sense of union

• muscular contraction in pelvic region
• -vagina, sphyncter

general muscle tension

more variety

May or may not have refractory period

changes that have occurred reverse

loss of orgasm=failure

sexual intimacy is more important than orgasm

more variety in women than in men

• Female plasticity
• -women are more "adaptable"
• 1. more variety culturally
• 2. more likely to change over time

• Men are more responsive than women
• -by self report
• -by actual physical change its actually about the same

Men and women describe similar experiences

no reliable difference in descriptions

Clitoral vs. vaginal

clitoris was seen as immature and non-feminine

vaginal was seen as more mature and feminine because viewed in the context of intercourse

• One kind of orgasm
• -main source of stimulation is clitoris, but key experience is vaginal

3 kinds

• 1. Vulval
• -primary site is clitoral, contractions in orgasmic platform, no refractory period

• 2. Uterine
• -stimulation og vagina (g spot), woman has momentary refractory period, deeper feel, may hold breathe

• 3. Blended
• -combination of the two