Psych 121- The Orgasmic Mind Assignment
Directions: Read the article “The Orgasmic Mind”, then answer in detail the following questions. If your text or the article does not provide the answer, look for additional resources.
Be sure to add all resources onto your reference page. Make sure you answer the questions fully. There should be a minimum of 3 college level sentences per response.
1. Identify the sex glands in both male and female. Then briefly describe how the nervous system and the brain influence those glands. Explain for both male and female.
2. The items that lead to desire for men and women may be somewhat different.
However, there are similarities in between sexes. Name and describe at least 2 similarities.
3. When having an orgasm, both males and females are more than just highly aroused. What must happen in the brain of men and women? Does the brain respond differently
for each sex?
4. What might the future hold for those who struggle with sexual problems?
5. Are orgasms particularly important? This is your value statement regarding sexual
behavior. If you have not had intercourse yet, what are your expectations?
CHAPTER 3: THE
PHYSIOLOGY OF SEXUAL
RESPONSE
By Roger R. Hock
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES
Sexual Pioneers
Alfred Kinsey
Opened the door for the study of human sexuality, but only told us what people say they do
William Masters and Virginia Johnson
The role of the sexual revolution
Observed an estimated 10,000 complete sexual response cycles
Foundation for our current understanding of human sexual responding
MASTERS AND JOHNSON: THE
EXCITEMENT
PLATEAU-ORGASM-RESOLUTION
Three Important Points
MODEL
NOT four separate and distinct events
Responses occur in reaction to ALL forms of sexual stimulation
Responses occur in men and women
The “E” in the EPOR Model
Excitement
What’s happening to the male?
Vasocongestion
Sex flush
Myotonia
FIGURE 3.1 MASTERS AND JOHNSON’S FOUR-PHASE MODEL OF THE SEXUAL RESPONSE CYCLE
FIGURE 3.2 PHYSICAL CHANGES IN THE MALE DURING THE EXCITEMENT PHASE
FIGURE 3.3 PHYSICAL CHANGES IN THE FEMALE DURING THE EXCITEMENT PHASE
MASTERS AND JOHNSON: THE
EXCITEMENT
PLATEAU-ORGASM-RESOLUTION
MODEL
The “E” in the EPOR Model
Excitement
What’s happening to the female?
Vasocongestion
Sex flush
Myotonia
The “P” in the EPOR Model
Plateau
What’s happening to the male?
Tenting
FIGURE 3.4 PHYSICAL CHANGES IN THE MALE DURING THE PLATEAU PHASE
FIGURE 3.5 PHYSICAL CHANGES IN THE FEMALE DURING THE PLATEAU PHASE
MASTERS AND JOHNSON: THE
EXCITEMENT
PLATEAU-ORGASM-RESOLUTION
MODEL
The “O” in the EPOR Model
Orgasm
What’s happening to the male?
Multiple orgasms
Emission
Ejaculatory inevitability
Expulsion
Afterglow
Women’s and Men’s descriptions of orgasm
FIGURE 3.8 PHYSICAL CHANGES IN THE MALE DURING ORGASM AND EJACULATION
FIGURE 3.7 PHYSICAL CHANGES IN THE FEMALE DURING ORGASM
MASTERS AND JOHNSON: THE
EXCITEMENT
PLATEAU-ORGASM-RESOLUTION
MODEL
More on Human Sexual Responding
The female ejaculation debate
Skene’s glands
The “G-spot” controversy
Ejaculation
Location
The “R” in the EPOR Model
Resolution
What’s happening to the male?
Refractory period
FIGURE 3.10 THE G-SPOT
ALTHOUGH ITS EXACT NATURE CONTINUES TO BE RESEARCHED AND DEBATED, SOME WOMEN REPORT THAT
STIMULATION OF AN AREA ON THE FRONT WALL OF THE VAGINA, CALLED THE “G-SPOT,” ENHANCES SEXUAL AROUSAL
AND PLEASURE.
FIGURE 3.12 PHYSICAL CHANGES IN THE MALE DURING THE RESOLUTION PHASE
FIGURE 3.11 PHYSICAL CHANGES IN THE FEMALE DURING THE RESOLUTION PHASE
MASTERS AND JOHNSON: THE
EXCITEMENT
PLATEAU-ORGASM-RESOLUTION
MODEL
Criticisms of Masters and Johnson’s
EPOR Model
Too Many – or Too Few – Stages
Are E and P really separate stages?
What about sexual desire?
Criticisms of Masters and Johnson’s
EPOR Model
Categorical Male/Female Similarities
Does the EPOR Model adequately describe the Female Response Cycle?
Categorical Male/Female Differences
Only men ejaculate?
Only men have a refractory period?
Only women have multiple orgasms?
ALTERNATIVES TO MASTERS AND
JOHNSON’S
FOUR-STAGE MODEL
Kaplan’s Three-Stage Model of Sexual Response
Addresses both the physiological as well as the psychological
Stages
Desire
Excitement
Orgasm
Hypoactive sexual desire
Reed’s Erotic Stimulus Pathway Theory
Addresses the Cognitive and the Psychological
• Seduction, Sensation, Surrender, Reflection
FIGURE 3.13 KAPLAN’S THREE-STAGE MODEL OF SEXUAL RESPONSE
FIGURE 3.14 REED’S EROTIC STIMULUS PATHWAY MODEL
ALTERNATIVES TO MASTERS AND
JOHNSON’S
FOUR-STAGE MODEL
A “New View” of Women’s Sexual Response
Reverse the current trend to “medicalize” sexual problems
A “New View” of Women’s Sexual Response
Three major flaws when applying the Masters and Johnson Model to women:
Assuming male and female sexuality are fundamentally the same
Exaggerated focus on physiology while excluding the relationship context
Minimization of individual differences in the sexual response of women