LESSON 8: SEXUAL BEHAVIORS

 Sexual Behaviors
 Sexual Response Cycle
 Sexual Response Dysfunctions
 Paraphilias

Learning outcomes:
 Identify the important health habits for the developing adolescent;
 Observe maintaining good hygiene; and
Know when to seek help from a health
care professional.

Topic Discussion:

Introduction

In earlier discussions, we mentioned that psychology has three primary components:

affect (emotions and feelings), cognition (thought process) and behavior (actions). 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 psychologist
believe that we have 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 on
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 context 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 maybe considered sexual in nature, this is not always the case
because the context of the behavior matters.

Sexual behaviors are generally an 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 or 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 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 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 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 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. 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 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 the human female' 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. 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. In the human male, ejaculation is made possible by the contraction of the vas
deference, seminal vesicles, and urethra, followed by the contraction of the rectal sphincter. In the human
female, the vagina, uterus, and anal sphincter also contract.

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 ofthis model include: (1) Desire,
(2) Arousal, and (3) Orgasm.

Desire. Desire is the psychological component ofthe 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
Johnson) 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 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);

 organic 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 dyspareunia, 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, 9) 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 theAPA as a disorder, is
paraphilia. Paraphilia is when an individual gets sexually aroused byan 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 sixmonths and is a manifestation of clinically significant distress.

Some of the common paraphilic disorders are as follows:

 exhibitionism- pleasure from exposing ones genitals to nonconsenting people;

 fetishism-arousal from non-living objects (e-g, shoes, socks, body parts);
 frotteurism-touching or rubbing ones 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 afterhas
tobelengthy and comprehensive assessment.