PSY 111 Lecture Notes - Lecture 28: Rape Myth, Sexual Dysfunction, Vasocongestion
Charlie Kent
Psy 111
Summer 2017
General Psychology
Sexual Motivation
● The Physiology of Sex
○ Sexual response cycle – four stage cycle experienced during sexual arousal
■ Excitement phase – arousal builds rapidly
■ Plateau phase – respiration, heart rate, vasocongestion, and muscle tension
continue to build until there is enough muscle tension to trigger orgasm
■ Orgasm phase – males: rhythmic contractions of internal organs and
muscle tissue surrounding the urethra project semen, females: rhythmic
contractions of the outer third vagina, surrounding muscles, and uterus
■ Resolution phase – physiological arousal decreases rapidly and the genital
organs and tissue return to normal condition
■ Refractory period (male only) – period where orgasm is temporarily
incapable of occurring
○ Hypothalamus control pituitary gland, which regulates secretion of hormones
called gonadtrophins into bloodstream
■ Affect rate at which gonads secrete androgens (testosterone) and estrogens
(estradiol)
■ Hormones have organizational effects that direct the development of male
and female sex characteristics
■ Hormones have activational effects that stimulate sexual desire and
behaviour
● The Psychology of Sex
○ Half of men and fifth of women fantasize about sex at least once a day
■ More sexually active people tend to fantasize more
○ Psychological factors can trigger and inhibit sexual arousal
■ Sexual dysfunction – chronic, impaired sexual functioning that distresses a
person
● Cultural and Environmental Influences
○ Two psychological viewpoints are relevant to predicting pornography’s effects
■ Social learning theory – people learn through observation
● Rape myths modeled in porn movies can teach people that it is
acceptable
■ Catharsis principle – as inborn aggressive and sexual impulses build up,
actions that release this tension provide a catharsis that temporarily returns
to a more balanced state
● Viewing porn should provide a safe outlet for releasing tension
● Sexual Orientation
○ Refers to one’s emotional and erotic preference for partners of a particular sex
○ Modern researchers propose that sexual orientation has three dimensions: self-
identity, sexual attraction, and actual sexual behaviour
Document Summary
Sexual response cycle four stage cycle experienced during sexual arousal. Plateau phase respiration, heart rate, vasocongestion, and muscle tension continue to build until there is enough muscle tension to trigger orgasm. Orgasm phase males: rhythmic contractions of internal organs and muscle tissue surrounding the urethra project semen, females: rhythmic contractions of the outer third vagina, surrounding muscles, and uterus. Resolution phase physiological arousal decreases rapidly and the genital organs and tissue return to normal condition. Refractory period (male only) period where orgasm is temporarily incapable of occurring. Hypothalamus control pituitary gland, which regulates secretion of hormones called gonadtrophins into bloodstream. Affect rate at which gonads secrete androgens (testosterone) and estrogens (estradiol) Hormones have organizational effects that direct the development of male and female sex characteristics. Hormones have activational effects that stimulate sexual desire and behaviour. Half of men and fifth of women fantasize about sex at least once a day. More sexually active people tend to fantasize more.
