SEXUAL
BEHAVIORS
LESSON OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
Discuss the variety of sexual
behaviors in humans;
tackle atypical sexual variations;
and
show appreciation of the
diversity of human sexual
expression.
INTRODUCTION
In earlier discussions, we affect (emotions and feelings),
mentioned that psychology cognition (thought process) and
has three primary behavior (actions).
components:
Hence, when used as a framework in
understanding human sexuality, it is only
appropriate to explore the diversity of
behaviors relevant to our understanding of
human sexuality.
What is behavior?
In simpler terms, it refers to actions. These are things that we do,
both overt or observable and covert or not readily observable by the
naked eye.
On a daily basis, we act because of a motivation-something that
drives us to do something.
Some psychologists believe that we behave as a response to
stimuli. Others believe that we do things because we want to
achieve pleasure or avoid pain.
Some think it is because we
want to achieve a goal
towards the fulfillment of our
own potentials and
aspirations as a human in
search for meaning.
What is interesting You can look at its You can also check
about behavior is it frequency-how on the duration--how
is readily many times an long does an action
measurable as action is done in a take place, say, in
opposed to feelings span of time. seconds, minutes or
and thoughts. hours.
A behavior has an Then there is diversity-what are the
intensity--the magnitude varieties of a similar behavior done
by which it is done. Is it in various context or what are the
forceful? Is it weak? different behaviors we are capable of
depending on our physical
characteristics.
SEXUAL BEHAVIORS
For instance,
Sexual behaviors while hugging
are actions that and kissing
humans agree to maybe
interpret as an considered
expression of sexual in nature,
their sexual this is not always
motivations or the case because
intentions. the context of the
behavior matters.
It is important to remember that
behaviors are given meaning by people.
Sexual behaviors are generally Earlier we mentioned that body
erotic behaviors such that they parts such as face, neck,
involve any of the primary or genitalia, and chest, among
secondary erotic zones.. others, are erogenous zones.
Sexual behaviors can be typed For instance, sexual behavior
according to the aim of the such as masturbation or the
behavior. stimulation of one's own
genitals can be considered as
auto-erotic (self-directed).
Erotic motivations can
also be directed to other
people of the same sex or
of the opposite sex.
For reproductive
Homoerotic behaviors
purposes, copulation or
are sexual behaviors
the insertion of the
oriented to the same sex.
penis to the vagina is
necessary. Humans
On the other hand, can assume two
heteroerotic positions in this
behaviors are used process.
to refer to sexual
behaviors oriented
to the other sex.
More common is the ventral-ventral position (ventris: abdomen),
wherein the male and the female species are facing each other.
Alternatively, a ventral-dorsal position (dorsum: back), may be
assumed wherein the abdomen of the male species is facing the
dorsum of the female species, such that insertion of the penis to the
vagina is from behind.
However, sexual behaviors do not only refer to copulation-the
insertion of the penis to the vaginal orifice.
They also include an array of non-copulatory sexual behaviors
such as hugging, kissing, caressing.
There are also sexual behaviors that involve oral
stimulation of the genitals such as fellatio (oral stimulation
of the penis) or cunnilingus (oral stimulation of the
vagina).
Then, there are also sexual behaviors involving stimulation
or penetration of the anal orifice (anal sex).
SEXUAL RESPONSE CYCLE
For heterosexual couples, one This is made possible
of the ultimate goals of the through the fertilization of
sexual act is reproduction. Neptune
the ovum by a sperm, which
necessitates ejaculation
(release of the sperm) from
the human male into the
internal reproductive system
of the human female.
Mercury
Before this ultimate process, both
the human male and female This sequence of
undergoes a sequence of bodily changes is referred to
changes which prepare them for the as the sexual
sexual climax. response cycle.
Master and Johnson's Model. Masters and Johnson (1966, 1970) proposed
that the following are four phases in the cycle:
1 2 3 4
EXCITEMENT PLATEAU ORGASM RESOLUTION
EXCITEMENT PHASE
1 2 3 4
The Excitement phase is At this phase, the For the human female, the At this phase, there is
the first phase in the testes and scrotum goal of this phase is swelling of the glans
cycle. For the human start to elevate and lubrication (wetness of the clitoris and the labia
male, goal of this phase some parts of the skin vaginal orifice to facilitate minora, and there are sex
is erection or tumescence (e.g., in the breast insertion of the penis). flushes in breasts and
(the elongation and and chest) reddens--a Lubrication is made chest. In both male and
stiffening of the penis) so phenomenon referred possible by vaginal female humans, heart
at it can be efficiently to as a sex flush. vasocongestion. rate increases during the
inserted into the vagina. excitement phase.
PLATEAU
The Excitement phase is followed by the plateau phase. This
phase is characterized by a sustained peak in stimulation of
the organs. In the human male, the corona and glans penis
become enlarged and reddish.
Internally, the Cowper’s glands release a lubricating fluid and
the testes and the scrotum are totally elevated. In females,
the outer vagina swells while the inner vagina expands and
becomes elongated creating the orgasmic platform (tenting).
ORGASM
The Orgasm phase is the climax
of the sexual response cycle.
In the human male, ejaculation
is made possible by the
contraction of the vas
deference, seminal vesicles,
It is a stage of release wherein and urethra, followed by the In the human female, the
the human male achieves contraction of the rectal vagina, uterus, and anal
ejaculation and the human sphincter. sphincter also contract.
female is ready to receive the
sperm for possible fertilization.
RESOLUTION
In the Resolution phase, the male penis return to its normal
unerected phase, whereas the testes and the scrotum descend. In
the human female, the outer and inner reproductive organs also
relax.
Kaplan's Model. Unlike Master and Johnson's model, Kaplan's
model (1979) sees the sexual response cycle as having
relatively independent stages. The three phases of this model
include: (1) Desire, (2) Arousal, and (3) Orgasm.
Desire. Desire is the
psychological component
of the sexual response. It Arousal. Arousal phase is
involves sexual thoughts the phase where the
1 and feelings, which are Excitement and Plateau (as
necessary for a satisfying defined by Masters and
sexual experience. Johnson) take place. It is
2
However, desire does not the physiological
necessarily translate into component of the sexual
action. response, wherein bodily
changes occur as an
Orgasm. Orgasm in outcome of sexual
Kaplan's model is generally stimulation. Just like Desire,
similar with that of the Arousal may not
Masters and Johnson model, necessarily translate into
3 except that this phase also Orgasm.
include the Resolution
phase. In Kaplan's model,
Orgasm is the completion of
the sexual response.
SEXUAL RESPONSE DYSFUNCTIONS
Some people experience difficulty or problems in some of the sexual
phases. The following are the common sexual response dysfunctions:
Sexual Desire Orgasmic Disorder
Disorder when an individual has
- when an individual has low problems in achieving
levels of desire or has an orgasm (e.ge premature
aversion to sexual activities; ejaculation among
males; male and female
Sexual Arousal orgasmic disorders);
Disorder Sexual Pain Disorders
when an individual has when there is an experience of
problems in achieving pain during the sexual response
necessary physiological state cycle (e.g., painful erection or
for copulation (e.g., erectile dyspareunia, and vaginal spasms
dysfunction in males); or vaginismus).
The origins of sexual dysfunction
disorders are varied. It can be
organic (problem with the anatomy
and physiology of the reproductive
organ). It can also be
psychosomatic (a psychological
concern which manifests physically).
Hence, there are also a gamut of
interventions that are either
biomedical (e.g., surgery,
medication) or psychosocial (e.g.,
psychotherapy, education, marital or
couple's counseling).
PARAPHILIAS
While there are
typical sexual
behaviors among They are atypical
humans, there due to any of the
are also those following reasons:
behavior that are
relatively atypical.
: (1) they are not (3) they are and (4) they are
prevalent, (2) they bizarre and are distressing either
are dangerous to self not socially to the doer or to
and to others, acceptable, other people
involved in the act
Paraphilia is when an individual
gets sexually aroused by an object,
a person, or a circumstance that
are unusual (e.g., pain-inflicting,
humiliating, non-consenting
persons).
Among these atypical A paraphilic disorder is when the
sexual behavioral urge or act lasts for at least six
variations, which is also months and is a manifestation of
considered by the APA as clinically significant distress. Some
a disorder, is paraphilia. of the common paraphilic
disorders are as follows:
Exhibitionism - pleasure
Fetishism - arousal
from exposing one's
from non-living objects
genitals to non-consenting
(e.g., shoes, socks,
people.
body parts);
Frotteurism - touching Pedophilia - arousal
or rubbing one's body from children
or genitals to non- (prepubescent);
consenting people;
Sexual Masochism – Sadism - arousal from
arousal from actual actually inflicting pain to
suffering or humiliation; others;
Transvestic Voyeurism - observing
Fetishism - (for other people engaged
heterosexual males in sexual activities.
only) arousal from
wearing clothing by the
opposite sex during
sexual activities; and
Note: For a paraphilia to be
considered a paraphilic disorder,
diagnosis has to be made. Only
trained psychologists or medical
doctors can make such clinical
judgments after lengthy and
comprehensive assessment
