💑Human Sexuality Unit 5 – Attraction, Arousal and Response

What's This All About?

• Attraction, arousal, and response are fundamental aspects of human sexuality that shape our desires, behaviors, and relationships
• Involves a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors influencing who we are attracted to and how we respond to those attractions
• Encompasses various forms of attraction including sexual, romantic, aesthetic, and intellectual attraction
• Arousal refers to the physiological and psychological state of being "turned on" or excited, often in response to an attractive stimulus
• Response includes the ways in which we act upon or express our attractions and arousal, such as flirting, dating, or engaging in sexual activity
• Understanding these concepts can provide insight into our own experiences and help foster healthier, more satisfying relationships
• Attraction, arousal, and response are not always straightforward processes and can be influenced by a wide range of individual differences and contextual factors

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Sexual orientation: an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attraction to persons of the opposite sex or gender, the same sex or gender, or to both sexes or more than one gender
• Sexual identity: how one thinks of oneself in terms of to whom one is romantically or sexually attracted; includes personal and social aspects
• Gender identity: a person's inner sense of being male, female, neither, or other gender(s)
• Pheromones: chemical substances produced and released by an animal that elicit a specific response in another individual of the same species
• Mere exposure effect: the tendency to develop a preference for things (including people) that are more familiar to us
• Misattribution of arousal: when people make incorrect inferences about what is causing them to feel aroused
• Coolidge effect: a biological phenomenon that males (of many species) exhibit renewed sexual interest whenever a new female is introduced, even after refusing sex from prior but still available sexual partners
• Refractory period: a period immediately following orgasm during which a person is not responsive to sexual stimulation

The Science Behind Attraction

• Evolutionary perspectives suggest that attraction is driven by unconscious desires to reproduce with partners who possess traits indicative of genetic fitness and reproductive potential
  • Physical attractiveness often signals health, fertility, and "good genes" that can be passed on to offspring
  • Preferences for specific traits (symmetrical features, youthfulness) may have evolved because they enhanced reproductive success in ancestral environments
• Neurochemical processes play a key role in feelings of attraction and arousal
  • Neurotransmitters like dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin are involved in the "reward" pathways associated with pleasure and desire
  • Hormones such as testosterone and estrogen influence libido and sexual response
• Pheromones, chemical signals that communicate information between organisms, have been implicated in sexual attraction in many animal species
  • While the role of pheromones in human attraction remains controversial, some studies suggest they may subtly influence mate preferences
• Attraction is also shaped by social and psychological factors, such as proximity, familiarity, and perceived similarity
  • The mere exposure effect suggests that we tend to like people and things that are familiar to us
  • Sharing attitudes, values, interests, and personality traits with someone can foster a sense of connection and compatibility

Arousal: More Than Just Physical

• Arousal involves the activation of the autonomic nervous system, leading to physiological changes preparing the body for sexual activity
  • Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration
  • Vasocongestion (blood flow to the genitals), leading to erection in males and vaginal lubrication in females
  • Nipple hardening, skin flushing, and muscle tension
• Psychological arousal involves subjective feelings of excitement, pleasure, and desire
  • Can be triggered by external stimuli (an attractive person, erotic images) or internal thoughts and fantasies
• The relationship between physical and subjective arousal is complex and bidirectional
  • Physical arousal can intensify psychological arousal, and vice versa
  • However, people can experience subjective arousal without obvious physical signs, or physical arousal without feeling "turned on" mentally
• Arousal is influenced by both excitatory and inhibitory factors
  • Excitatory factors increase the likelihood of getting aroused (fantasies, foreplay, visual stimuli)
  • Inhibitory factors decrease arousal (stress, anxiety, distraction, negative emotions)
• The dual control model suggests that individual differences in arousal depend on the balance between excitatory and inhibitory processes in the central nervous system
• Arousal patterns can differ across individuals and situations
  • Some people may have more easily triggered or intense arousal than others
  • Arousal may be context-dependent, influenced by factors like mood, setting, and partner dynamics

How We Respond to Attraction

• Responses to attraction can be cognitive (thoughts), emotional (feelings), or behavioral (actions)
• Cognitive responses may include:
  • Increased attention and focus on the attractive person
  • Sexual or romantic fantasies and daydreams
  • Imagining potential scenarios or interactions with the person
  • Evaluating the person's desirability as a partner
• Emotional responses often involve a mix of excitement, nervousness, and anticipation
  • Infatuation or "butterflies" in the early stages of attraction
  • Feelings of passion, desire, and longing
  • Anxiety or fear of rejection when considering approaching the person
• Behavioral responses are the outward expressions of attraction
  • Nonverbal flirting cues (smiling, eye contact, open body language)
  • Engaging in self-presentation efforts to impress the person (grooming, dressing up)
  • Initiating conversations or spending time with the person
  • Expressing interest and making advances (asking them out, physical touch)
• The response stage can lead to a variety of outcomes depending on the situation and the other person's reciprocity
  • Formation of a romantic or sexual relationship
  • Rejection or unrequited attraction
  • Remaining in a state of admiration or infatuation without acting on it
  • Sexual activity or consummation of the attraction
• Responses to attraction are regulated by social norms, personal values, and situational factors
  • People may suppress or modify their responses based on perceived appropriateness
  • Responses can be influenced by power dynamics, social hierarchies, and cultural scripts

Cultural and Social Influences

• Attraction and arousal are heavily shaped by cultural norms, expectations, and values
  • What is considered attractive can vary widely across cultures and historical periods
  • Cultural scripts influence how people are expected to express and act upon attraction
• Media portrayals of romance and sexuality can mold people's beliefs and expectations
  • Idealized images of attractiveness in movies, magazines, and social media can create unrealistic standards
  • Media narratives often reinforce gendered scripts and stereotypes about attraction and relationships
• Social identities and group memberships can influence patterns of attraction
  • People are more likely to be attracted to others who are similar to them in terms of race, ethnicity, religion, or social class (assortative mating)
  • In-group biases and out-group stereotypes can affect perceptions of attractiveness
• Power dynamics and social hierarchies play a role in shaping attraction
  • People may be attracted to others who possess status, resources, or influence
  • Historically, patriarchal structures have privileged men's attractions and limited women's sexual agency
• Attraction is regulated by social controls and taboos
  • Laws and moral codes dictate which attractions are permissible or forbidden (age of consent, incest taboos)
  • Social stigmas and discrimination can constrain people's ability to express same-sex or nonconforming attractions
• Globalization and technology are changing the landscape of attraction
  • Increased cross-cultural contact can expose people to diverse beauty standards and relationship practices
  • Dating apps and online platforms are expanding the pool of potential partners and shaping new norms of attraction

Practical Applications

• Understanding the factors that influence attraction can help people navigate their own romantic and sexual lives
  • Recognizing the role of biology, psychology, and culture in shaping desires can provide insight and self-awareness
  • Identifying personal patterns and preferences can guide relationship choices and communication
• Knowledge about arousal and response can inform sexual health and well-being
  • Learning about the body's sexual response cycle can help people understand their own and their partners' needs
  • Communicating about arousal and desire can enhance sexual satisfaction and intimacy in relationships
• Awareness of social and cultural influences can promote more critical consumption of media messages about attraction
  • Questioning unrealistic beauty standards and gendered stereotypes can foster more inclusive and diverse expressions of attraction
  • Challenging social stigmas and advocating for equality can create more space for marginalized attractions and identities
• Insights from research on attraction and arousal can be applied in various domains
  • Therapists and counselors can use this knowledge to help clients with relationship issues or sexual concerns
  • Educators can incorporate information about attraction into comprehensive sex education programs
  • Marketers and advertisers can leverage principles of attraction to create more effective campaigns and products
• Developing media literacy skills can help people navigate the landscape of attraction in the digital age
  • Critically analyzing dating app profiles and online self-presentation can promote more authentic interactions
  • Being mindful of the algorithms and biases built into technology can help people make more informed choices about their love lives

Controversies and Debates

• There are ongoing debates about the relative importance of nature versus nurture in shaping attraction
  • Some emphasize the role of evolutionary adaptations and biological drives
  • Others highlight the ways that culture and socialization mold attraction in context-specific ways
• The medicalization of sexuality has been critiqued by some scholars and activists
  • Labeling certain attractions as disorders or paraphilias can pathologize sexual diversity
  • The use of drugs or interventions to alter sexual desire raises ethical questions about authenticity and agency
• The politics of attraction are shaped by power structures and social inequalities
  • Feminist perspectives critique the ways that patriarchal norms have limited women's sexual freedoms and agency
  • Queer theorists challenge heteronormative assumptions about the naturalness or universality of opposite-sex attraction
• There are debates about the ethics of using scientific knowledge to manipulate or engineer attraction
  • The use of pheromones or other biological agents to influence attraction raises concerns about consent and autonomy
  • Emerging technologies like virtual reality porn or sex robots may have implications for real-world intimacy and relationships
• The intersection of attraction and discrimination is an area of ongoing research and activism
  • Studies have documented widespread biases and exclusions in people's dating and sexual preferences (racism, ableism, transphobia)
  • Some argue that individual attractions are a matter of personal preference; others view them as shaped by oppressive social structures
• Controversies about sexual orientation and identity continue to spark political and cultural debates
  • Questions about the origins and stability of sexual orientation categories remain unresolved
  • Debates about conversion therapy, transgender rights, and same-sex marriage reflect conflicting views about diversity and equality