Sexual Motivation, Belongingness, and

Achievement Motivation
 Reviewing the 5 Major
Theories of Motivation
 1.

 2.
 Reviewing the 5 Major
Theories of Motivation
 3.

 4.

 5.
 Alfred Kinsey
 Considered the father of the
study of human sexuality for
conducting his studies in the
1940’s.

 Studies showed that there were

wide variations in “normal”
sexual practices of individuals
and that premarital sex was
commonplace.
Criticism of Kinsey’s Studies
 Sexual Response Cycle
 Following Kinsey’s studies, scientists looked to
identify typical sexual reactions among
volunteers in the 1960s.

 Masters and Johnson filmed and identified the

sexual response cycle: refers to the four
stages of sexual response:
1. Excitement
2. Plateau
3. Orgasm
4. Resolution
 Sexual Response Cycle
1. Excitement: blood flows to the genital areas
causing both sexes’ genitals to enlarge.
2. Plateau: peak of the excitement phase;
breathing increases; penal and vaginal
secretions increase.
3. Orgasm: ejaculation in the male and vaginal
contractions in the female.
4. Resolution phase: body returns to
unaroused state. Males enter a refractory
period: resting period where they cannot
have another orgasm.
 Influence of Masters and
Johnson Study
1. Probably the most cited study in all human
sexuality courses…paved way for future
scientific study of sex.
2. Ideas have been applied to help treat sexual
dysfunctions.
3. Exposed many sexual myths.
 Hormones and Sexual Behavior
 Certain hormones help activate sexual fertility,
putting animals in “heat.”
 Females become sexually receptive when
estrogen (sex hormone greater in females)
peaks during ovulation.
 Testosterone levels also effect sex drive in
both males and females.
 Hormones are monitored by hypothalamus.
 Effect of External Stimuli on
Sexual Motivation
 Studieshave shown that both males and
females are both aroused by seeing,
hearing, or reading erotic material.

 Some psychologists have argued that

sexually explicit materials can have
negative effects. How?
 Sexual Disorders
 Sexual Disorders: a problem that
consistently impairs sexual arousal or
functioning.
 In Men:
 Premature Ejaculation: ejaculation before
they or their partners wish.
 Impotence: inability to maintain an
erection.
 In Women
 Orgasmic Disorder: infrequent or never
experiencing an orgasm.
 Cultural Norms Also Have Strong
Impact on Sexual Behavior
40%
Percentage 35
of births
to unwed 30
mothers 25
United States
20

15
Canada
10

5
Britain
0
Japan

1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

Year
 Sexual Orientation
 Sexual Orientation: an enduring sexual
attraction toward members of either one’s
own gender (homosexual orientation) or
the other gender (heterosexual
orientation)
Tolerance of Homosexuals (Myers 12-11)
 Possible Causes of Homosexuality?
 Have found brain differences between
heterosexual men and homosexual men and
women. Hard to get at causation.
 Genetics
 Prenatal exposure to certain hormones.
 Most psychologists believe that nature more
than nurture influences sexual orientation but
the answer has not been completely solved.
 Changing Attitudes towards
Homosexuality
 People who believe homosexuality to be
biological tend to be more accepting.
100%
Extramarital sex is “always wrong”
80

60

40
Homosexuality is an acceptable life-style
20
1987 2000
0 Year
 Belongingness Motivation
 Idea that humans do not live as
islands and are motivated to connect
to others. Why?
 Aids Survival
 Creates relationships to pass genes
into the future.
 Achievement Motivation
 Achievement Motivation: desire to
accomplish things and attaining a high
standard.
 2 Types of Achievement Motivation:
1. Intrinsic Motivation: performing task
for its own sake.
2. Extrinsic Motivation: performing task
because of you will receive rewards or
punishments.
 Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic

Mom: “I’ll give you $5 for every A.’’

Controlling reward
Child: “As long as she pays,
I’ll study.’’
Extrinsic motivation

Mom: “Your grades were great!

Let’s celebrate by going out
for dinner.’’
Informative reward
Child: “I love doing well.’’
Intrinsic motivation