PSYCH101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Negative Affectivity, Learned Helplessness, Psychoneuroimmunology

• School: University of Waterloo
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYCH101
• Professor: Steve Spencer

Document Summary

Libido: motivation for sexual activity and pleasure. Alfred kinsey: research on human sexuality, interviewed his students about sexual histories, methods were flawed/controversial, continue to influence discussion. Why have sex? (meston, buss): physical/emotional reasons, attain goal, insecurity. Masters and johnson"s observations: monitored prostitutes having sex. Sexual response cycle: describes the phases of physiological change during sexual activity, which comprises 4 primary stages: excitement, plateau, orgasm, resolution. Cycle applies to both genders, experience stages differently. Men usually experience orgasm followed by refractory period: time period during which erection and orgasm are not physically possible. Some women experience multiple orgasms w/o refractory period. After research, suggested that to some degree, males and females have similar subjective experiences during orgasm. Researchers focused on brain activity in women who experienced orgasm while being monitored by functional mris. Stimulation of breasts, nipples, and vaginal areas causes sensory nerves to send signals to hypothalamus.