stimulation and sexual reaction

Human Sexuality and its Components

Human sexuality is a component of an individual's overall identity, including the interplay of social, sociocultural, and biological aspects. It addresses an individual's sexual preferences, morals, intelligence, habits, and attitudes. Sexual arousal, described as a conscious state of sexual focus and stimulation, has both physical and psychological underpinnings. There is still a lot more about sex than just the usual intercourse, so there will only be a physiological sexual reaction and stimulation if there is no subjective sensation of gratification. There are usually some factors that influence the sexual response and arousal such as biological, sociocultural, and psychological in both males and females.

The Biological Dimension of Sexual Response and Arousal

Looking at sexual response and arousal from the biological dimension, it is the brain that directs a significant amount of a person's sexual behavior. There may be the triggering of the female vaginal lubrication and the male erection by direct stimulation, but it is the brain that interprets the message and starts the procedure of sexual reaction and arousal. The motivation, craving, and actions are all the components of the brain's judgment which is the decision-making function that carries out wish, preference, and self-control. The senses such as taste, hearing, smell, sight, and touch also have a say in one's sexual response and arousal. For instance, touching or smell can send a message to the brain which interprets it and makes the body release the hormones that bring about sexual arousal. The sexual response usually declines as one gets older due to the decrease of hormones, for instance, testosterone in males. Physical disabilities or even sickness can also lower sexual response and arousal in people (Human Sexuality, n.d).

The Psychological Dimension of Sexual Response and Arousal

In the psychological dimension, a person's mood plays a significant role in sexual response and arousal. A positive state of mind enhances faster sexual response and arousal, but bad mood like in a case of a depressed individual act as an inhibitor. A woman's feelings about her body or self-esteem influence a male's sexual stimulation. Additionally, women usually get less sexual arousal when they are uncomfortable or have negative feelings about themselves. How an individual feels about his or her partner also influences the sexual response and arousal (Firestone, 2014).

The Sociocultural Angle and its Influence on Sexual Response and Arousal

From the sociocultural angle, one's culture and ethnicity impact what people perceive as sensual or attractive. The religious beliefs affect people's feelings about sexuality and how they respond and get aroused. Moreover, the biological factors are usually influenced by sociocultural factors like the watching of pornography can turn some individuals on while others have no effect (Greenberg, Bruess, & Oswalt, 2014).

Understanding Sexual Response and Arousal

It is of value for men and women to understand their sexual response and arousal and also to develop a concerned understanding of how their body functions. People should always remove negative thoughts in their memory before engaging in sex for proper stimulation. For a better sexual response and arousal, an individual should always incorporate the mind, the senses, and a conducive atmosphere.

References

Greenberg, J. S., Bruess, C. E., & Oswalt, S. B. (2014). Exploring the Dimensions of Human Sexuality (5th ed.). Burlington: Ascend Learning Company.

Human Sexuality. (n.d.). Sexual Arousal and Response. Retrieved from http://people.fmarion.edu/tbarbeau/Human%20Sexuality%20Text.pdf

Robert Firestone. (2014, April 28). 403 Forbidden. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-human-experience/201404/7-factors-affecting-orgasm-in-women