Integrating the results of contemporary survey research, outline what psychologists know about sexual behavior in the United States today.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

There is a great deal of disagreement over what constitutes sex with another individual. In one study, 20 percent of people indicated that anal sex is not an instance of having sex; 33 percent indicated that oral sex is not an instance of having sex; and 50 percent indicated that touching the genitals of another person is not an instance of having sex. Research shows that solo sexual behaviors, or masturbation, are very common. Sixty percent of women and 80 percent of men report masturbating within the last year. Further, those who have a good, active sex life are more likely to masturbate than those who don't have a good, active sex life. When people are asked why they have sex, their responses fall into four categories: One is physical pleasure and stress reduction; two is to attain certain goals, such as improving one's social status; three is for emotional reasons, like expressing love or commitment; and four is in response to feelings of insecurity, the hope being that having sex will improve one's self-esteem. Finally, the majority of couples in the U.S. engage in a variety of sexual behaviors, even within one sexual episode. Activities may include kissing, genital touching, oral or anal sex, and coitus. The authors of the text note that communication between partners is a key ingredient for sexual satisfaction.