Unit 2: Lesson 2
1. Excitement Phase- involves
The Sexual Self
Sexual self refers to how one thinks about
oneself as a sexual individual. It speaks of
your sexual health, sexual orientation,
gender identity, and expression and values
around your sexuality.
Primary sexual characteristics start to
develop during the fetal development of an
organism. Offspring are generally classified
based on the sex organ the babies are
endowed with.
Maturation refers to the development of
secondary sexual characteristics.
The secondary sex characteristics set
apart the boys from the girls concerning
outward appearances.
Female secondary sex characteristics
include the deposition of fat, predominantly
in the breasts and hips, breast
development, broadening of the pelvis, and
growth of axillary and pubic hair.
Male secondary sex characteristics
include increased larynx size and
deepening of the voice, increased muscular
development, growth of facial, axillary, and
pubic hair, and increased growth of body
hair.
Erogenous Zones are areas of the body
that can elicit sexual desire or pleasure
when stimulated. These areas can vary
from person to person, as everyone's level
of sensitivity and preference may differ.
● Example: lips, neck, nipples,
genitals, and inner thighs
The Sexual Response Cycle refers to the
sequence of physical and emotional
changes that occur as a person becomes
sexually aroused and participates in sexually
stimulating activities, including intercourse
and masturbation.
Four Phases of Response Cycle
increased pulse and blood pressure,
a sudden rise in blood supply to the
body, and muscle tension.
2. Plateau Phase- it is generally of
brief duration. If stimulation is
continued orgasm usually occurs.
3. Orgasm- is marked by intense
pleasure, rapid increase in pulse rate
and blood pressure, and spasms of
the pelvic muscles.
4. Resolution- refers to the return to
normal or subnormal physiological
state.
Parts of the body that controls
human’s sexual behaviour
● The brain plays a crucial role in
determining our sexual desire,
known as libido, which is influenced
by biological, psychological, and
social factors.
● The sheet of neural tissue that is
outermost to the cerebrum or
cerebral cortex sends a signal to
the hypothalamus, releasing
chemicals that initiate the cascade of
events leading to sexual arousal.
● Amygdala is responsible for
processing emotional reactions.
Plays a role in identifying and
responding to sexual stimuli. Process
emotional and sensory information
during sexual activity.
● Hypothalamus regulates hormone
production, which can influence
arousal. Impacts bodily functions like
sexual desire. Low neurotransmitter
levels can decrease sex drive.
● Prefrontal Cortex is responsible
for decision-making and impulse
control. Helps regulate responses to
 sexual cues. Allow us to make attached feels comfort and security from his
informed decisions about our sexual or her partner. This phase also includes
behavior. behaviors anchored on long-term
Helen Fisher (1948) of Rutgers University companionship. This stage is driven by two
identified three stages of love. These are major hormones, namely oxytocin and
lust, attraction, and attachment. vasopressin.
1. Lust (libido or sex drive) is ● Oxytocin (cuddle hormone)– is
characterized by the desire for sexual released during orgasm. The feeling
gratification which is inherent to every living of attachment becomes more
organism. For humans, this is associated intense after the couple has sexual
with the sex hormones, testosterone (for intercourse.
males) and estrogen (for females). ● Vasopressin (anti-diuretic
2. Attraction (passionate or obsessive hormone)– is released after
love, infatuation) is characterized by the intercourse. Scientists discovered the
intense attention given to a desired partner. role of vasopressin in attachment by
An individual with a high degree of studying prairie vole, small
attraction towards another person craves for creatures (like mice) that form
emotional union with that person. monogamous bonds like humans.
This stage is driven by chemicals and When male prairie voles were
hormones like adrenaline, dopamine, and injected a drug that suppresses
serotonin. vasopressin, they began neglecting
● Adrenaline – is released by the their partners.
body for “fight” or “flight”. For
instance, after surprisingly meeting
one’s object of affection, this
hormone will activate one’s stress
response such as sweating and
drying of the mouth.
● Dopamine – ignites an intense rush
of pleasure when released. High
level of neurotransmitter like
dopamine causes increased energy,
less need for food and sleep, and
focused attention to one’s desired
partner.
● Serotonin – is attributed to “falling
in love” as this hormone makes a
person think of his or her desired
partner at most times.
3. Attachment (compassionate love) is
characterized by the desire of couples to
stay together. A person who is already