Pheromones were first introduced by Karlson and Luscher, as chemical messengers secreted from bodies into a surrounding environment (Grammer et al, 2004). This allows for the ability to trigger responses of members of the matching species either physiologically or behavioral (Grammer et al, 2004). Pheromones have been known to have many particular purposes that include acting as: opposite sex attractants, attractants for mother and infant bonding, repelling the same-sex, and regulation of the menstrual cycle (Grammer et al, 2004). Found in the axillary organs as well as the pubic region are the apocrine glands understood as the human pheromone manufacturers (Grammer et al, 2004). Pheromones generate sexual behavior changes as the hypothalamus becomes provoked that causes secretion of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH), which later causes the release of Luteinizing-releasing hormone (LH) and Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the anterior pituitary gland (Grammer et al, 2004).
New research has looked towards the Vomeronasal organ (VNO), a region in the olfactory system whose main role is detecting pheromones (Grammer et al, 2004). Recent studies have stated that based on research in mammals that olfaction may lead to an even greater purpose in sexual reproduction for the selection of a mate (Bhutta, 2007). Uncertainty is then raised as the VNO is considered nonfunctioning in some primates and the accessory olfaction bulb is non-apparent in humans (Grammer et al, 2004). However, current studies have demonstrated that humans have an operative VNO that acts specifically in a sex related approach (Grammer et al, 2004). In one study done by Monti-Bloch and Grosser (1991), they observed at whether the human VNO was capable to ...
... middle of paper ...
...ed to pheromones (Grammer et al, 2004). Next, the data in some cases had been self-reported and may have had no real records when comparing the placebo against pheromone known effects (Grammer et al, 2004). This would cause an increase in the proneness to error and subjective bias (Grammer et al, 2004). Another problem with the current research has been that groups differ in many ways with regards to their dating status. The participants in the studies are either married, in a long-term relationship or single. Those participants in relationships would be at an advantage as sociosexual behaviors would be recorded more often that those individuals being single (Grammer et al, 2004). Therefore, the evidence from recent studies does illustrate amplified sexual behaviors but should take into concern greater matching of placebo and pheromone groups (Grammer et al, 2004).
...irections and implications. In a future study, a satisfaction questionnaire could be included to examine a participant’s current marital satisfaction prior to exposure to their condition. A study should be conducted using an older sample of male participants in order to see if results would be different as a result of the decreased levels of testosterone in that age group. In addition, future researchers should consider investigating homosexuality, testosterone, and infidelity. There is no research that address homosexuality, testosterone. and infidelity. As such, future research should explore these aspects. Research dedicated to biological reasons for infidelity is an important and necessary contribution to reduce the worldwide epidemic of divorce. Understanding the effect (effect or affect?) testosterone has on infidelity is another step in this process.
Pheromones affect the central nervous system in two different ways. One of which causes an immediate behavioral response upon reception. The second has a delayed effect on behavior. Chemical stimuli initiating immediate behavioral responses are termed releasers while those, which take time for responses to occur, are referred to as primers. Chemically identified releaser hormones are of thr...
The reason I am writing this paper is to share the information I attained about human sexuality by learning about sexuality in a college setting and by exploring my sexuality through personal experiences. I do not consider myself to have experienced much exposure to sexual behavior but I do have a cultural bias to what I consider a heavy amount of exposure because the North American culture is considered more promiscuous and sexually active than other cultures.
Psychophysiological stimulation can affect the apocrine, eccrine, and sebaceous glands altering body odor and the ways others perceive us. The apocrine glands are the source of human pheromones activated by emotions. This explains why there is a higher correlation of correct assessments between adults of the opposite sex due to pheromones not being active before puberty. Association ability originates early in human development and plays a major role in social interactions such as: the i...
Vasopressin has long been implicated in the memory of faces and is thus useful for research on recall and recognition of faces. Because of the role vasopressin plays in relationships, it is important to consider its value in affecting romantic relationships and perception of romantic partner's faces. In a study by Thompson and colleagues (2004) researchers looked at how vasopressin administration affects responses to happy, angry and neutral faces in terms of attention, and arousal and physiological measures like corrugator supercilii electromyograms (EMG), heart rate and skin conductance (Thompson, Gupta, Miller, Mills, & Orr, 2004). This was based on previous experiments with the effect of oxytocin on facial perception. Neutral faces were found to elicit higher responses in the EMG. They argued that because the faces were ambiguous having been taken from Paul Ekman's series of faces, vasopressin may have lead participants to view those neutral faces in a more aggressive way causing that increased EMG response. This study demonstrates that there is a link between vasopressin and facial recognition responses and further studies have added on to this. In a follow up study in 2006, they looked at vasopressin effects on perception of friendliness for both men and women on pictures of same sex faces. They found that the results of vasopressin depended on the gender as women were friendlier when presented with same sex faces (Thompson, George, Walton, Orr, & Benson, 2006). Interestingly, they did not repeat the study to see the effect of vasopressin between both sexes seeing opposite sex pictures. In men, however, the familiarity of the romantic partner when combined with insecurity would decrease the per...
Barr, A., Bryan, A., & Kenrick, D. T. (2002). Sexual peak: Socially shared cognitions about desire, frequency, and satisfaction in men and women. Personal Relationships, 9(3), 287-299. doi:10.1111/1475-6811.09305
Recently, a plethora of research has been done on determining brain differences between homosexuals and heterosexuals. Simon LeVay's work on the anterior hypothalamus is the most widely discussed and debated research in the area of sexual orientation and neuroscience. This paper will examine Simon LeVay's research which declares that there is a physiological difference between the brains of heterosexual and homosexual men (5). Furthermore, it will discuss the shortcomings of his research and the n...
Journal of Sex Research volume 34 (issue 2) 167-174. (Retrieved from EBSCOhost on February 26, 2010.)
Pheromones are natural scents, which play an important role in sexual communication. Animals and humans release masses of biological chemicals in tears, saliva and perspiration. These aromas convey signals relating to mood, status, drive and health to the subconscious awareness of the female. The dominant male will exude more of these biological attractants than his submissive counterpart, consequently he inevitably attracts more females and enjoys more conquests. This philosophy holds well in the animal world, pheromones are consciously detected over considerable distances and serve at times in place of spoken communication. They help animals mark territory, recognize mates, and signal sexual interest. For example, female dogs in heat leave their pheromone and can attract male dogs over a mile away (5).
Sassler, S, F Addo, and D Lichter. "The Tempo of Sexual Activity and Later Relationship Quality." Journal of Marriage & Family 74.4 (2012): 708-725.
Oestrogen receptors in the brain are believed to cause gender-appropriate behaviour. Oestrogen, a hormone found in the female genital tissue, acts as a ligand and, by activating the oestrogen receptors found on the surfaces of brain cells, causes notable changes in behaviour. Professors at Yale University have studied the effects of oestrogen and found the hormone increases neural connectivity in the brain resulting in a more accurate memory. Turnham et al (2002) supports this as upon investigation...
There is no doubt that men and women are influenced by biological factors. The question is are gender roles based on nature, nurture or both? When discussing human sexuality, drives and desires hormones play a substantial role in our behaviors. The physiological differences externally in males and females are obvious. For example, when aroused, males become erect, whereas females become lubricated instead of a clitoral erection. In the article, “Biological Aspects of Sexual Orientation and Identity” Milton Diamond Ph.D. claims “These differences obviously pertain to copulation, but many other mechanisms exist that are less related to coitus but very much related to sexual expression and childbearing. Muscle mass, body and skeletal articulation, enzyme and endocrine production, and other physiological features and reflexes are additional distinctions. The endocrine system of males is relatively tonic in operation, while the female system is basically cyclic during the reproductive years.” Some of these biological factors are thought to shape gender differences due to hormones and brain function. According to “Biological Theories of Gender” Saul McLeod claims that, “The biological approach suggests that there is no distinction between sex and gender, thus biological sex creates gendered behavior.” This theory
Evolutionary framework for human mating is based on three elements. First, strategies for mating developed to solve specific problems in human evolutionary history. Second, people behave differently depending on the type of mating involved. There are two types of mating, short term and long term mating. Short term mating is defined as casual sex (i.e. one-night stands and brief affairs). Long term mating is seen as a committed relationship (i.e. dating, going steady, and marriage). Third, males and females developed different strategies due to the difference in problems they have had over the course of human evolution (Buss 241). This paper will examine those strategies specific to males.
Zhang, S., Liu, Y., & Rao, Y. (2013). Serotonin signaling in the brain of adult female mice is required for sexual preference. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 110(24), 9968-9973.
A fundamental step for understanding the links between human nature and intimate relationships is by understanding human sexuality. Alfred Kinsey, in his pioneering study on human sexual behaviour, illustrated the degree to which individuals differ in their sexual attitudes, beliefs and preferences (Kinsey, Pomeroy & Martin, 1948). In particular, a marked difference was highlighted in individuals’ sociosexual attitudes and behaviours. Following this, many of the sociosexual features individuals differ in, including preferred frequency of sexual intercourse, the number of different sexual partners they predict to have in the future, and their willingness to engage in uncommitted relationships, have shown to covary (Eysenk, 1976, as cited in Barnes, Malamuth & Check, 1984). Considered together, these features compose an individual difference dimension named sociosexuality (Snyder, Simpson & Gangestad, 1986). Sociosexuality reflects the tendency to engage in uncommitted, casual sexual encounters (Simpson & Gangestad, 1991). Those with a restricted sociosexual orientation typically prefer closeness and commitment from their romantic partner before engaging in sex (Simpson & Gangestad, 1991). Such individuals claim they rarely have one-night stands, and require emotional intimacy within a romantic relationship before feeling comfortable with sex (Simpson & Gangestad, 1991). Conversely, unrestricted individuals require little or no emotional bond with a partner in order to have sex. These individuals are more likely to be involved in extra-marital relationships (Seal, Agostinelli & Hannett, 1994), and exhibit more frequent displays of sexual assertiveness such as flirting (Simpson, Gangestad & Nations, 1996).