Understanding Psychology (10th Ed)

 Module 
33 
Understanding Human Sexual Response: The Facts of Life 
357
In addition, some evidence suggests that males have a stronger sex drive than 
females, although the difference may be the result of society’s discouragement of 
female sexuality rather than of innate differences between men and women. It is clear 
that men think about sex more than women: while 54% of men report thinking about 
sex every day, only 19% of women report thinking about it on a daily basis (Men-
delsohn, 2003; Gangestad et al., 2004; Baumeister & Stillman, 2006). 
Though biological factors “prime” people for sex, it takes more than hormones 
to motivate and produce sexual behavior. In animals the presence of a partner who 
provides arousing stimuli leads to sexual activity. Humans are considerably more 
versatile; not only other people but nearly any object, sight, smell, sound, or other 
stimulus can lead to sexual excitement. Because of prior associations, then, people 
may be turned on sexually by the smell of perfume or the sound of a favorite song 
hummed softly in their ears. The reaction to a specifi c, potentially arousing stimulus, 
as we shall see, is highly individual—what turns one person on may do just the 
opposite for another (Benson, 2003).
Cervix
Vagina
Anus
Female
Ovary
Uterus
Bladder
Pubic bone
Urethra
Clitoris
Seminal vesicle
Ejaculatory duct
Prostate
Anus
Bladder
Pubic bone
Vas deferens
Urethra
Penis
Glans
Testis
Scrotum
Large intestine
Male
FIGURE 1
Cutaway side views of the female and male sex organs.
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