copyright atomic dog publishing, 2004 chapter eight individual and interpersonal sexual behaviors

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004

Chapter EightIndividual and Interpersonal Sexual Behaviors


Erotophilia and Erotophobia

• Erotophilia

The propensity to have very positive views of, and emotional responses to, sexuality.

• Erotophobia

The propensity to have very negative views of, and emotional responses to, sexuality.


Virginity, Chastity, Celibacy, and Abstinence - 1

• Virginity

Not having experienced sexual intercourse

• College undergraduates identified the following reasons for abstaining: Relationship concerns Fear Personal values/beliefs Self-concept issues



• Chastity

The state of not having had sexual intercourse; also implies moral purity or virtuousness in both thought and conduct.

• Celibacy

The condition of refraining from sexual intercourse, especially by reason of religious vows; also used to refer to being unmarried.

• Abstinence

The condition of having refrained from having sexual intercourse.



• Voluntary Abstinence

Foregoing sexual intercourse for a period of time by choice

• Involuntary Abstinence

Not engaging in sexual intercourse for a period of time due to lack of a partner or restricted access to a partner

• Sexual Celibacy

The state of not having sexual intercourse or activity


Autoerotic Behavior - 1

• Masturbation/Autoerotic Behavior

A natural, common, and nonharmful means of sexual self-pleasuring that is engaged in by individuals of all ages, sexual orientations, and levels of functioning.



• Historical Origins of Negative Attitudes Toward Masturbation

According to the literature on this subject, the roots of negative views of masturbation lie in Religion Medicine Traditional psychotherapy



• Social Correlates of Masturbation Sex: Adults ages 18-59 who masturbated in the preceding

year (Michael et al., 1994)- Men 60%

- Women 40% Race: Report of masturbating once a week (Lauman, et al.

1994)- White men 28% White women 7%

- Hispanic men 24% Hispanic women 5%

- Black men 17% Black women 11% Education: Masturbation more likely among those with

advanced degrees compared to those with less than a high school education



• Masturbation in Relationships Myth: People who are married, cohabitating, or in

established sexual relationships do not masturbate because they have a sexual partner.

Fact: People living with a partner do masturbate.

• Masturbation in Groups

Also known as social masturbation, group masturbation involves three or more individuals masturbating together.


Autoerotic Behavior - 5Personal Choices: Is Masturbation for Me? The Pros and Cons of MasturbationPros

• Self-knowledge

• Increased body comfort

• Orgasm more likely

• Pressure taken off partner

• No partner necessary

• Avoids risk of disease transmission or pregnancy

• Unique, pleasurable experience

• Helpful in maintaining sexual fidelity

• Useful in treatment of sexual dysfunctions

Cons

• Feeling of being abnormal

• Strengthened attraction to inappropriate stimuli

• Guilt



• Personal Choices: Use a Vibrator?

Vibrators, which are made in many sizes, shapes, and styles, are only one type of sex toy that some individuals use during masturbation and/or lovemaking with their partners.

Using a vibrator can provide sexual pleasure and orgasm, especially for women who may have difficulty achieving orgasm through other means of stimulation.


Sexual Fantasies, Sexual Cognitions, and Sexual Dreams - 1

• Sexual Fantasies

Cognitions that are sexual in nature.

• Sexual Cognition Fleeting sexual thoughts or images Elaborate and ongoing sexual fantasies Sexual thoughts and fantasies that are engaged in

deliberately Sexual thoughts that are experienced as intrusive


Sexual Fantasies, Sexual Cognitions, and Sexual Dreams - 2• Gender Differences in Sexual Fantasy and

Cognition

Both women and men experience sexual cognitions, but men report fantasizing more frequently than women.

• Sexual Dreams

Virtually all men and about 70% of women have sexual dreams.

• Nocturnal Emission or Wet Dream

An ejaculation that results from an erotic dream.


Sexual Fantasies, Sexual Cognitions, and Sexual Dreams - 3

• Nocturnal Penile Tumescence

Erections that men commonly have during sleep

• Personal Choices: Share Your Sexual Fantasies/ Cognitions/Dreams with Your Partner? Sharing one’s sexual cognitions and dreams with a

partner can be an enjoyable experience and added dimension to a couple’s sexual intimacy.

Other people view sexual cognitions and dreams as private experiences rather than as experiences to be shared.


Interpersonal Sexual Behaviors - 1

• Touching

Many people regard touching as the most significant aspect of sex.

• Kissing

• Breast Stimulation

Although not all women derive erotic pleasure from breast stimulation, many women experience extreme pleasure in having their breasts stroked or sucked.



• Penile Stimulation Manual Stimulation: Touching and rubbing the penis

manually Oral Stimulation (fellatio): From the Latin fellare,

meaning “to suck”



Sodomy Laws in the United States, July 2003



• Clitoral Stimulation Manual Stimulation: May be continued to orgasm or

blend into oral sex or intercourse. A vibrator is sometimes used to enhance pleasure.

Oral Stimulation (cunnilingus): From the Latin, meaning “he who licks the vulva.” Involves the stimulation of the clitoris, labia, and vaginal opening of the woman by her partner’s tongue.



• Anal Stimulation

Fisting: Insertion of several fingers or an entire closed fist and forearm into a partner’s rectum and sometimes the lower colon.

• Analingus/Rimming

Involves the licking of and/or insertion of the tongue into the partner’s anus.



• Vaginal Intercourse/Sexual Intercourse/Coitus

The sexual union of a man’s penis and a woman’s vagina.

• Positions for Intercourse Man-on-Top Position Woman-on-Top Position Side-by-Side Position Rear-Entry Position Sitting Position Standing Position Variations



• Anal Intercourse

Anal intercourse, insertion of the penis into the partner’s anus, is the least practiced form of anal sex.

More common anal sex techniques include stimulation of the anus with the fingers, hand, or mouth.


Interpersonal Sexual Behaviors -8

• Personal Choices: Considerations for Becoming Sexually Active with a New Partner Personal Consequences Partner Consequences Relationship Consequences Contraception and Pregnancy HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases The Influence of Alcohol/Other Drugs on Choices Alternatives

copyright atomic dog publishing, 2004 chapter eight individual and interpersonal sexual behaviors

Documents