LESSON 10: SEXUAL BEHAVIORS

Lesson Objective:

When you finish reading this chapter, you should be able to;

1. Discuss the variety of sexual behaviors in humans;

2. Tackle a typical sexual variations; and
3. Show appreciation of the diversity of human sexual expression.

Definition of terms
 Sexual behavior- an action with sexual intention and context.
 Erotic-related to sexual stimulation; has something to do with erogenous zones
 Sexual response cycle- sequence of events from arousal to orgasm to
resolution of social 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 insertion of the penis to the vagina.
 Paraphilia- arousal from nonliving object and or nonconsenting persons.

Introduction

In earlier discussions, we mention that psychology has three primary

components: affect (emotion and feelings), cognition (though process) and behavior
(action). 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 action. 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 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 about behavior is it is readily measurable as opposed to

feelings and thoughts. You can look at its frequency, how many times an action is done
in a span of time. You can also check the duration, how long does an action take place,
say, in seconds, minutes or hours. A behavior has intensity, the magnitude by which it is
done. Is it forceful? Is it weak? Then there is diversity, what are the varieties of a similar
behavior done in various contexts or what are the different behaviors we are capable of
depending on our physical characteristics.

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 may be considered
sexual in nature, this is not always the case because the context of the behavior
matters.

Sexual behaviors are generally erotic behaviors such that they involve any of the
primary or secondary erotic zones. Earlier we mentioned that body parts such as face,
neck, genitalia, and chest, among others, are erogenous zones.

Sexual behaviors can be typed according to the aim of the behavior. For
instance, sexual behavior such as masturbation of the 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. Homoerotic behaviors are
sexual behaviors oriented to the same sex. On the other hand, heteroerotic behaviors
are used to refer to sexual behaviors oriented to the other sex.

For the reproductive purposes, copulation or the insertion of the penis to the
vagina is necessary. Humans can assume two positions in this process. 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 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 of the ultimate goals of the sexual act is
reproduction. This is made possible through the fertilization of 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. Before this ultimate process, both the
human male and female undergoes a sequence of bodily changes which prepare them
for the sexual climax. This sequence of changes is referred to as the sexual response
cycle.
 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 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. At this phase, the testes and
scrotum start to elevate and some parts of the skin (e.g. in the breast and chest)
reddens- a phenomenon referred to as a sex flush. 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 vaso congestion. At this phase, there is
swelling of the glans clitoris and the labia minora, and there are sex flushes in breasts
and chest. In both male and female humans, heart rate increases during the excitement
phase.

Plateau. The excitement phase is followed by the plateau phase. This phase is
characterized by a sustained peak in simulation 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 the
human female, the outer vagina swells while the inner vagina expands and becomes
elongated creating the orgasmic platform (tenting).

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

involves sexual thoughts and feelings, which are necessary for a satisfying sexual
experience. However, desire does not necessarily translate into action.

Arousal. Arousal phase is the phase where the Excitement and Plateau (as
defined by Masters and Jonson) take place. It is the physiological component of the
sexual response, wherein bodily changes occur as an outcome of sexual stimulation.
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.

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 disorder- when an individual has a 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 males; male and female orgasmic disorders); and
 sexual pain disorders- when there is an experience of pain during the sexual
response cycle (e.g. painful erection or dyspareuinia, and vaginal spasms 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 humans, there are also those
behaviors that are relatively atypical. They are atypical due to any of the following
reasons: (1) they are not prevalent, (2) they are dangerous to self and to others, (3) they
are bizarre and are not socially acceptable, and (4) they are distressing either to the
doer or to other people involved in the act.

Among these atypical sexual behavioral variations, which is also considered by,
the APA as a disorder, is a paraphilia. 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). 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- touching 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.
 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.