Sex and Love: Are You in the Mood? 175
Objectives
After completing this chapter, you will be able to
- describe the human four-stage sexual response cycle;
- identify the principal female sexual dysfunctions;
- identify the principal male sexual dysfunctions;
- identify dysfunctions that affect either sex;
- specify various kind of sexual variance;
- explain the concepts of intimacy and romantic love.
A popular song of the 1930s was titled “I’m in the Mood for Love.” Although
seventy years have elapsed since that particular song was a hit, the concept of
“being in the mood” is still associated with sex and love. More often than not, it
requires a receptive frame of mind as well as a particular attitude in order to be
excited by a given partner.
The sexual drive, as we have seen in earlier chapters, has its roots in biological
factors. However, it often interacts with romantic love, which is dominated by psy-
chological factors. Together, sex and love play important roles in human behavior.
Songwriters are aware of this point. Every other popular song is about either the
wonderful aspects of being in love or the sadness associated with the loss of love.
The purpose of this chapter is to explore the psychology of sexual behavior.
Unfortunately, although sexual behavior is a natural aspect of behavior in general,
there are many ways in which sexual behavior can be both maladaptive and unsat-
isfying. Even “doing what comes naturally” requires a certain amount of learning
and understanding.
(a) The concept of “being in the mood” is still associated with and
.
(b) Unfortunately, although sexual behavior is a natural aspect of behavior in general, there
are many ways in which sexual behavior can be both and.
Answers: (a) sex; love; (b) maladaptive; unsatisfying.
The Orgasm: The Peak of Sexual Pleasure
It is generally acknowledged that the orgasm is the peak of sexual pleasure. How-
ever, the orgasm itself is a part of a four-stage sexual response cycle. Using physi-
