Psychological aspects of human sexual adjustment

Last week in this space I reported on some very interesting findings published earlier this month by a team of British researchers suggesting a strong biological basis for the female orgasm. They discovered that the extreme variability found among women to experience orgasm during sex seems to be determined, in large part, by genetic factors. This investigation of 683 pairs of female identical twins, and 714 pairs of fraternal twins, found genetic factors to account for 45% of the subjects’ ability to experience orgasm.

A major implication of this work is that the difficulty some women experience in achieving orgasm is not necessarily indicative of psychological disturbance. Since this is a column dealing with “psychological perspectives,” however, I can’t leave this topic without mentioning the other side of the proverbial coin: For us humans, males, as well as for females, psychological factors can make or break the excitement we experience during sexual encounters.

The senses, of course, are major contributors to human sexual excitement, particularly those of sight and touch. Pattaya’s go-go bars and sex shows, for example, make effective use of sights and sounds to entertain and arouse their customers. Hotel “honeymoon suites” often feature mirrors in strategic positions around the nuptial bed to take advantage of patrons’ susceptibility to sensual visual stimuli. Erotic pictures and films appeal primarily to the visual sense, but also have the effect of sparking viewers’ imaginations, another avenue of sexual arousal.

Thoughts and feelings are particularly potent sources of sexual stimulation for humans. Remembering past sexual experiences, thinking about the object of one’s lust or affection, or imagining fantasy sexual encounters can be arousing for most people. Erotic literature is often evaluated on its ability to elicit sexual excitement through capturing the imagination of the reader.

The sound of the human voice has also been identified as a source of arousal for many. Certain singers, both male and female, develop reputations for their ability to arouse romantic and sexual feelings among members of the opposite sex. The pioneer blues vocalist Billie Holliday, and “make-out music” king Barry White are examples of singers with a seemingly magical ability to use the human voice in a distinctly sensual way.

The quality of life experiences can also have an impact upon human sexual adjustment. A person who is fortunate enough to be raised in an environment where warmth and affection are a mainstay of the home experience is well on the road to developing a rich and satisfying sex life. Moreover, if that person is lucky enough to have his or her first sexual experiences with a loving and caring partner who is attentive to his or her wants and needs, positive attitudes that can enhance the person’s capacity for sexual enjoyment later in life are likely to develop.

While attitudes, thoughts and feelings can have a positive influence upon sexual development in humans, they can have a detrimental effect as well. Certain thoughts and attitudes, such as anger, guilt and anxiety, are usually incompatible with sexual arousal. Unfortunately, social groups such as families and religious organizations often promote attitudes and feelings toward sex that serve to inhibit or otherwise interfere with healthy human sexual adjustment. Some parents, for example, who observe their children masturbating or otherwise engaging in pre-sexual play, may communicate that this activity is considered dirty or shameful. Religionists often promote feelings of guilt in those who engage in sexual acts not meeting with their approval. Attitudes like these, once instilled, may linger into adulthood, becoming associated with mature sexual activity, and consequently interfering with sexual enjoyment.

Likewise, those who are traumatized through childhood sexual abuse or rape are prone to associate disturbing thoughts and feelings such as anger, anxiety, and guilt, with sexual activity and arousal. Although they may find themselves in a mature relationship with a kind and loving partner, such people often experience difficulty establishing a healthy and fulfilling sexual life because of these negative associations.

Fortunately, attitudes that interfere with sexual enjoyment are learned, rather than innate. As such, they can, with some effort, be unlearned and replaced by more sensible and sexually compatible ones. Sexual problems, usually addressed by specialists in the treatment of psychosexual disorders, are considered among the problems most successfully treated by psychologists. This is probably due, in part, to the fact that people with sexual difficulties are often highly motivated for change, and the rewards of successful work on sexual difficulties are particularly gratifying to the client.