SOC 152A Chapter Notes - Chapter 6: Masturbation, Orgasm
Chapter 6
●Sex with a partner makes people happy during the sex act itself and also boosts their
ongoing level of happiness
●Masturbation - autoerotic (self arousing) behavior
○In victorian times masturbation was considered sinful and unhealthy, could lead
to “masturbation insanity” and even affect offspring
○Nineteenth century health manuals recommended a variety of methods for
discouraging masturbation, one could even purchase a mechanic device that
made masturbation impossible
○Today people don’t care as much but catholic church and various other
religions still teach that it is sinful
○Likely that those under 18 feel guilty for masturbating.
○Demographic factors affect masturbation
■People over 50 masturbate less
■African americans masturbate less
■The more educated, the more likely he or she masturbates
■Women (not men) with a religious affiliation masturbate less
■People who lack a regular sex partner masturbuate slightly more than
people who have a partner
○Men experience orgasm in masturbation more than women
○Women use more diverse techniques than men
○Most men take 2-3 minutes to reach orgasm and women take about 4
○Gay people masturbate more than heterosexuals
○There has been speculation about the possible evolutionary significance of
masturbation\
■One idea is that it increases fertility by getting rid of sperm that have
passed their (use-by) date
■Net effect is unknown
●Box 6.1 sex and happiness
○In a study 2000 men and women agreed to be called at random times by an
automated app that asked them what they were doing at the time and how
happy they were
■People were most happy when making love
Document Summary
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