Discovering Human Sexuality 4e Chapter 5 Outline

Sexual Attraction: It Takes Two

Beauty is not entirely in the eye of the beholder

Culture influences the attractiveness of bodies

Box 5.1 Culture and Body Weight

Attractiveness involves senses besides vision

Behavior and personality influence sexual attractiveness

Familiarity may increase or decrease attraction

Perceived attractiveness varies around the menstrual cycle

Asexual women and men do not experience sexual attraction

Sexual Arousal Has Multiple Roots

Fantasy is a common mode of sexual arousal

Arousal occurs in response to a partner

Gonadal steroid hormones influence sexual arousability

Conditioning may influence arousal

Sexual Arousal Follows a Response Cycle

Box 5.2 Aphrodisiacs and Drugs

In the excitement phase, genital responses begin

In the plateau phase, arousal is maintained

Orgasm is the climax of sexual arousal

Box 5.3 Female Ejaculation

Brain imaging suggests where orgasm may be experienced

Box 5.4 Foot Orgasms

In the resolution phase, arousal subsides

The phases may be linked in different ways

Men experience a refractory period

Pituitary hormones influence the sexual response cycle

The Masters and Johnson cycle may be incomplete