Lesson 11 – Sexual Behaviors

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
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of the sexual response cycle (inability to have an erection or orgasm, painful

intercourse)
Copulatory Behavior – related to the insertion of the penis to the vagina.
Paraphilia – arousal from non-living objects and non-consenting persons.

Psychology has three primary components: Affect (emotions and

feelings), Cognition (thought process) and Behavior (actions).
What is Behavior? – 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.
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Some psychologists believe that we behave as a resonse 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 potential 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, in seconds, minutes or
hours. A behavior has an 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.
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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 erotic
behaviors such that they involve any of the primary or secondary erotic zones.
Body parts such as face, neck, genitalia, chest, are erogenous zones.
Sexual behaviors can be typed according to the aim of the 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. Heteroerotic behaviors are used to
refer to sexual behaviors oriented to the other sex.
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Paraphilias - while there are typical sexual behaviors among humans,

there are also those behaviors tht 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, 4) they are distressing either to the doer or to 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
(pain-afflicting, 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.
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Some of the common paraphilic disorders are:

1. Exhibitionism- pleasure form exposing one’s genitals to
nonconsenting people.
2. Fetishism – arousal from non-living objects (shoes, socks, body parts)
3. Frotteursm – touching or rubbing one’s body or genitals to
nonconsenting people.
4. Pedophilia – arousal from children (prepubescent)
5. Sexual masochism – arousal from actual suffering or humiliation
6. Sexual sadism – arousal from actually inflicting pain to others
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7. Transvestic fetishism – (for heterosexual males only) arousal from

wearing clothing by the opposite sex during sexual activities.
8. 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.
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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. Alternativel, 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 stimulation of the
genitals such as fellatio (oral stimulation of the penis) or cunnilingus (oral
stimulation of the vagina). There are also sexual behaviors involving
stimulation or penetration of the anal orifice (anal sex)
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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 sequene of bodily changes which prepare them for the sexual
climax. This sequence of changes is referred to as the sexual response cycle.
Master & Johnson’s Model – (1966, 1970) proposed that the following are four
phases in the cycle:
Excitement – the excitement phase is the first phase in the cycle. For
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.
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At this phase, the testes and scrotum start to elevate and some parts of the
skin (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 vasocongestion. 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 – 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)
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Orgasm – is the climax of the sexual response cycle. It is a stage of

release wherein the human male achieves ejaculation 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 vehicles, and urethra, followed by the contraction of the rectal
sphincter. In the human female, the vagina, uterus, and anal sphincter
also contracts.
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.
Kaplan’s Model – (1979) sees the sexual response cycle as having
relatively independent stages. The three phases of this model include:
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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 to action.
Arousal – the phase where the excitement and plateau take place. It is the
physiological component of the sexual response, wherein bodily changes
occur as an outcome of sexual stimulation.
Sexual Response Dysfunctions:
1. 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 (erectile dysfunction in males)
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3. Orgasmic disorder – when an individual has problems in achieving

orgasm (premature ejaculation among males; male and female orgasmic
disorders)
4. Sexual pain disorders – when there is an experience of pain during the
sexual response cycle (painful erection or dyspareunia, 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 medical interventions such surgery,
medication) and psychosocial (psychotherapy, education, marital or
couple’s counseling)