SEXUAL BEHAVIORS

DEFINITION OF TERMS:
Sexual behavior - an action with sexual intention and
context.
Erotic - related to sexual stimulation; has something to
do with the erogenous zones.
Sexual response cycle - sequence of events from arousal
to orgasm to resolution of sexual tension.
Sexual dysfunction - a concern or problem in any of the
phases of the sexual response cycle (e.g., inability to
have an erection or orgasm, painful intercourse).
Copulatory behavior - related to the insertion of the
penis to the vagina.
Paraphilia - arousal from nonliving objects and or
nonconsenting persons.
WHAT IS BEHAVIOR?
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.
SEXUAL BEHAVIORS
 Sexual behaviors are actions that
humans agree to interpret as an
expression of their sexual
motivations or intentions. It is
important to remember that
behaviors are given meaning by
people.
 For instance, while hugging and
kissing maybe considered sexual in
nature, this is not always the case
because the context of the behavior
matters.
SEXUAL BEHAVIORS

Sexual behaviors are generally erotic behaviors such that they involve any
of the primary or secondary erotic zones
 Masturbation or stimulation of one’s own genitals can be considered as
auto-erotic (self-directed).
 Homoerotic behaviors are sexual behaviors oriented to the same sex.
 Heteroerotic behaviors are used to refer to sexual behaviors oriented to
the other sex.
SEXUAL BEHAVIORS
Copulation or the insertion of the penis to the vagina is necessary. Humans can assume
two positions in this process.
 Ventral- ventral position (ventris: abdomen), wherein the male and the female species
are facing each other.
 ventral-dorsal position (dorsum: back), insertion of the penis to the vagina is from
behind.
 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 of the ultimate goals of the sexual act is
reproduction.
Master and Johnson's Model. Masters and Johnson (1966, 1970) proposed
that the following are four phases in the cycle:
Excitement
 The Excitement phase is the first phase in the cycle. For the human male,
goal of this phase is erection or tumescence (the elongation and stiffening
of the penis) so that it can be efficiently inserted into the vagina
 For the human female, the goal of this phase is lubrication (wetness of the
vaginal orifice to facilitate insertion of the penis). Lubrication is made
possible by vaginal vasocongestion.
SEXUAL RESPONSE CYCLE
Plateau
 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.
 In the human female, the outer vagina swells while the inner vagina
expands and becomes elongated creating the orgasmic platform (tenting).
Orgasm
 It is a stage of release wherein the human male achieves ejaculation, and
the human female is ready to receive the sperm for possible fertilization.
Resolution
 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.
SEXUAL RESPONSE CYCLE
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
 It involves sexual thoughts and feelings, which are necessary for a satisfying
sexual experience.
Arousal
 Arousal phase is the phase where the Excitement and Plateau (as defined by
Masters and Johnson) take place.
 Just like Desire, Arousal may not necessarily translate into Orgasm.
Orgasm.
 Orgasm in Kaplan's model is generally similar with that of the Masters and
Johnson model, except that this phase also include the Resolution phase. In
Kaplan's model, Orgasm is the completion of the sexual response.
• Some people experience difficulty or problems in some of the
sexual phases. The following are the common sexual response
dysfunctions:
SEXUAL RESPONSE
DYSFUNCTIONS  Sexual desire disorder - when an individual has low levels of
desire or has an aversion to sexual activities.
 Sexual arousal disorder - when an individual has problems in
achieving necessary physiological state for copulation(e.g.,
erectile dysfunction in males);
 Orgasmic disorder - when an individual has problems
in achieving orgasm (e.g., premature ejaculation among
SEXUAL RESPONSE males; male and female orgasmic disorders); and
DYSFUNCTIONS  Sexual pain disorders - when there is an experience of
pain during the sexual response cycle (e.g., painful
erection or dyspareunia, and vaginal spasms or
vaginismus).
PARAPHILIAS
A paraphilic disorder is when the urge or act lasts for at least six months
and is a manifestation of clinically significant distress.
Some of the common paraphilic disorders are as follows:
 Exhibitionism - pleasure from exposing one's genitals to nonconsenting
people; fetishism - arousal from non-living objects (e.g., shoes, socks,
body parts);
 Frotteurism-touching or rubbing one's body or genitals to
nonconsenting people;
 Pedophilia - arousal from children (prepubescent);
 Sexual masochism - arousal from actual suffering or humiliation;
 Sexual sadism - arousal from actually inflicting pain to others;
 transvestic fetishism - (for heterosexual males only) arousal from
wearing clothing by the opposite sex during sexual activities; and
 voyeurism - observing other people engaged in sexual activities.
 In Conclusion

By knowing what behavior is normal and