Deck 5: Attraction, Arousal, and Response

Question 1

Which statement about sexual attraction is true?

A) It is not a requirement for long-term sexual relationships.
B) It requires liking the other person.
C) It requires familiarity with the other person.
D) One can choose whether or not to be sexually attracted to a person.
E) To perform sexually, one must be sexually attracted to the other person.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Research suggests that a woman who wants to appear more sexually attractive should use

A) makeup to accentuate her jawbones.
B) hairspray to increase the volume of her hair.
C) heavy foundation over her entire face.
D) makeup to make her lips look fuller and her eyes look larger.
E) as little makeup as possible to appear more natural.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

A modeling agency working on an advertisement designed to appeal to male viewers is likely to choose female models with

A) asymmetrical faces.
B) full lips
C) a strong jaw.
D) masculine features.
E) mature-looking faces.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

A trait considered attractive across cultures, such as facial symmetry, is likely influenced largely by

A) society.
B) individual preferences.
C) culture.
D) gender roles.
E) evolution.

Question 5

In judgments of attractiveness, a trait that seems to be more culturally determined than biologically determined is a preference for

A) a certain body mass index.
B) characteristics that signal masculinity or femininity.
C) a deeper voice in men.
D) facial symmetry.
E) full lips in women.

Question 6

Which image of a face would likely receive the highest attractiveness rating?

A) A picture of a typical undergraduate female
B) A picture of a typical undergraduate male
C) A computer-generated average of a male and female face
D) A computer-generated average of two female faces
E) A computer-generated average of 16 male faces

Question 7

A 2010 study of messaging habits on the dating website OkCupid verified the idea that

A) women prefer men who are much older than they are.
B) women prefer men who are the same age or younger than they are.
C) men prefer women who have status and money.
D) men prefer women who are blond.
E) men prefer women who are younger than they are.

Question 8

Zulus who live in South Africa consider women with body mass indexes (BMIs) of 20 (normal) and 40 (severely obese) to be equally attractive. However, after living in Britain for at least 18 months, Zulu immigrants rated women with BMIs over 25 as much less attractive. This suggests that

A) large-bodied women are universally considered unattractive.
B) the Zulu migrants adopted the cultural preferences of their new environment.
C) white Britons prefer women who are extremely underweight.
D) relative slimness is a universal determinant of attractiveness.
E) body size is an indicator of relative health.

Question 9

If a woman wanted to attract a man at a party, she might be advised to

A) wear synthetic sex pheromones.
B) wear flats instead of high heels.
C) smile and raise her voice pitch.
D) mention her high salary.
E) lower her voice and wear heavy perfume.

Question 10

The choice blindness phenomenon suggests that

A) our conscious minds rationalize unconscious preferences.
B) our unconscious behaviors are unexplainable.
C) we make many more conscious decisions than unconscious ones.
D) our conscious choices are better than our unconscious choices.
E) our unconscious choices are better than our conscious choices.

Question 11

When people rate their own appearance, they tend to

A) think they look thinner than they really do.
B) ignore their physical flaws.
C) produce ratings that are unrelated to the opinions of others.
D) overrate their attractiveness.
E) underrate their attractiveness.

Question 12

You see a display for perfumes and colognes based on sex pheromones while shopping, and are interested in enhancing your sex life. Based on what we know from scientific studies, should you buy something?

A) Yes, studies have shown that pheromones increase sex drives.
B) Yes, manufacturers create pheromones that are better than the real ones.
C) No, studies have proven that there are no human pheromones.
D) No, the safety of these products cannot be established.
E) No, the science does not justify the hype.

Question 13

Why does wearing high heels make women more attractive?

A) High heels make women taller.
B) High heels give women a longer, more confident stride.
C) High heels lead to a hyper-feminized gait.
D) High heels make women feel more confident.
E) High heels keep women from swaying their hips while walking.

Question 14

Even when choosing casual sex partners, men and women value traits such as

A) athleticism and competitiveness.
B) trustworthiness and warmth.
C) seriousness and assertiveness.
D) dominance and outspokenness.
E) submissiveness and shyness.

Question 15

In general, to appear more attractive you might consider

A) degrading yourself while building up the other person.
B) sharing more of your knowledge.
C) improving your athleticism.
D) keeping your facial expressions neutral.
E) being friendly and easy to get along with.

Question 16

Studies suggest that which sexual partner choice would be the most surprising?

A) A man chooses an attractive woman with a moderate income for a casual sexual encounter.
B) A man chooses an attractive woman with a moderate income for a long-term relationship.
C) A man chooses a wealthy but unattractive woman for a casual sexual encounter.
D) A woman chooses an attractive man with a moderate income for a casual sexual encounter.
E) A woman chooses a wealthy but unattractive man for a long-term relationship.

Question 17

In a longitudinal study of physical attractiveness and marital satisfaction among heterosexual couples, Meltzer et al. (2014) reported that

A) both male and female attractiveness predict a spouse's level of marital satisfaction.
B) being an attractive person predicts both male and female marital satisfaction.
C) female attractiveness predicts male marital satisfaction, but male attractiveness does not predict female marital satisfaction.
D) male attractiveness predicts female marital satisfaction, but female attractiveness does not predict male marital satisfaction.
E) after two years of marriage, the attractiveness of one's partner has no effect on satisfaction.

Question 18

When a woman sees a man's face for a second time, how is she likely to judge his attractiveness, compared to the first time she saw him?

A) As more attractive, indicating that familiarity decreases attraction
B) As more attractive, indicating that familiarity increases attraction
C) As more attractive, indicating that familiarity habituates attraction
D) As less attractive, indicating that familiarity increases attraction
E) As less attractive, indicating that familiarity habituates attraction

Question 19

Male animals that have just mated are more likely to mate again when they are

A) housed with other males.
B) given estrogen.
C) fed aphrodisiacs.
D) given oxytocin.
E) given a new partner to mate with.

Question 20

Eastwick and Hunt's 2014 study explored how classmates rated one another's attractiveness before and after getting to know each other. Findings support the idea that

A) looks are the first and best indication of attractiveness.
B) looks are the first indicator of attractiveness, but later, intellect is most important.
C) the most attractive people generally couple up.
D) perceived attractiveness changes as we get to know people.
E) we generally find people less attractive as we get to know them.

Question 21

Familiarity with a face increases its attractiveness except for

A) women viewing men's faces.
B) women viewing women's faces.
C) men viewing men's faces.
D) men viewing women's faces.
E) women viewing any faces.

Question 22

Being close to a person during _______ makes it less likely that one will be sexually attracted to that person in their adult life.

A) infancy
B) early childhood
C) adolescence
D) college
E) early adulthood

Question 23

Women's ratings of male attractiveness vary across the menstrual cycle. This suggests that receptiveness to certain male traits may be influenced by

A) cultural context.
B) neurotransmitters.
C) hormones.
D) the seasons.
E) male secretions.

Question 24

Individuals who identify as asexual

A) do not experience either sexual or romantic attraction.
B) experience sexual attraction but choose not to act on it.
C) choose not to feel sexual attraction.
D) do not experience sexual attraction, but may experience romantic attraction.
E) do not experience romantic attraction, but may experience sexual attraction.

Question 25

Which person would be considered demisexual?

A) A woman who feels sexual arousal only around the time of ovulation
B) A man who has never experienced sexual attraction
C) A man who is easily aroused by a new sexual partner shortly after having sex
D) A woman who is only sexually attracted to her long-term romantic partner
E) A man who feels equally attracted to men and women

Question 26

Which statement most accurately describes sexual fantasies?

A) Fantasies lead to psychological arousal but not physical arousal.
B) Men and women have equal numbers of sexual fantasies.
C) Most people do not have sexual fantasies.
D) People who have sexual fantasies are less sexually assertive.
E) Women tend to have more sexual fantasies around the time of ovulation.

Question 27

One study suggested that women who engaged in rape fantasies were more likely to

A) put themselves in sexually risky situations.
B) have been abused as children.
C) have positive attitudes toward sex.
D) be asexual.
E) conform to traditional gender roles.

Question 28

Brain imaging shows that similar brain regions are active when someone is sexually aroused, looking at a photo of someone they love, or taking cocaine. This suggests that

A) each of these activities stimulates the brain's pleasure center.
B) sexual activity and danger are closely connected in our brains.
C) much of the brain's activity is random.
D) having sex and being in love are essentially identical experiences.
E) brain activity reflects one's degree of sexual openness.

Question 29

Men are aroused by erotic images that match their sexual orientation, while most women are aroused by erotic images of either women or men. This suggests that

A) women's sexual preferences are more flexible.
B) women's sexual preferences are more specific.
C) women have less capacity for sexual arousal.
D) more women than men are homosexual.
E) women experience more sexual confusion than men do.

Question 30

Which statement best illustrates the effect of testosterone on sexual behavior?

A) Physical maturation, but not testosterone levels, predicts an increase in sexual thoughts and behaviors during puberty.
B) Sexually aroused men have surges of testosterone.
C) Giving testosterone to boys with delayed puberty increases their sexual thoughts and behaviors.
D) Giving testosterone to healthy adult men increases their sexual thoughts and behaviors.
E) Although women have lower levels of testosterone than men, they do not have lower sex drives.

Question 31

Which situation is an example of classical conditioning?

A) Logan listens to a certain song regularly while having sex, and later becomes aroused when he hears the song at a party.
B) Amelia's former sexual partner loved eating sushi; she now dislikes sushi.
C) Sofia will not massage her partner's back because she did not get thanked the last time.
D) Anthony sees an attractive person and becomes sexually aroused.
E) As Luciana spends more time with a classmate, she becomes more sexually attracted to that person.

Question 32

Rhinoceros horn is probably considered an aphrodisiac because

A) it leads to longer-lasting erections for most men.
B) its shape resembles a penis and suggests male potency.
C) it leads to more powerful orgasms for most men.
D) it contains yohimbine, a sexual stimulant.
E) being wealthy enough to afford rhinoceros horn makes people appear more attractive.

Question 33

Street drugs and alcohol may remove inhibitions and enhance sexual pleasure. On the negative side, however, they

A) are all illegal substances.
B) require careful medical supervision for maximum effectiveness.
C) may impair judgment and lead to unsafe sex or sexual victimization.
D) increase sex drive to unsustainable levels.
E) all damage the cardiovascular system.

Question 34

What is the correct order of phases in the sexual response cycle developed by Masters and Johnson?

A) Excitement  orgasm  plateau  resolution
B) Plateau  engorgement  orgasm  resolution
C) Excitement  plateau  orgasm  resolution
D) Engorgement  erection  refractory period  ejaculation
E) Stimulation  orgasm  refractory period  rebound

Question 35

The increase in blood flow to the genitals during the excitement phase of sexual arousal is called

A) the Westermark effect.
B) emission.
C) myotonia.
D) vasocongestion.
E) ovulation.

Question 36

In women, which phase of the sexual response cycle involves erection of the clitoris and an increased heart rate?

A) Excitement
B) Plateau
C) Orgasm
D) Resolution
E) Refractory

Question 37

For both women and men, the plateau phase of the sexual response cycle is

A) likely to follow a very predictable path.
B) likely to vary depending on circumstances.
C) typically very brief.
D) typically long-lasting.
E) unlikely to occur in most sexual encounters.

Question 38

During the resolution phase of the sexual response cycle, most people could expect to feel

A) excited and energetic.
B) strong muscle contractions.
C) calm and relaxed.
D) increased heart and respiratory rates.
E) increased muscle tension.

Question 39

Which of these statements best expresses the experience of orgasm in men and women?

A) It includes both physiological and psychological aspects.
B) It is more of a psychological phenomenon than a physiological one.
C) It is strictly a psychological phenomenon.
D) It is much more powerful for men.
E) It is possible for women only during ovulation.

Question 40

Komisaruk and Whipple claim that stimulation of the clitoris, the anterior wall of the vagina, and the cervix give rise to different orgasmic sensations. Their research supports

A) Masters and Johnson's earlier research on female orgasm.
B) the theory that different pathways to the brain result in different orgasmic sensations.
C) the understanding that biological differences do not explain different kinds of orgasms.
D) studies that suggest psychological factors explain different kinds of orgasms.
E) the vast differences experienced by men and women during orgasm.

Question 41

What changes occur in the brain regions associated with higher cognitive functioning and those associated with pleasure and reward during orgasm?

A) There are increases in both regions.
B) There are decreases in both regions.
C) There are decreases in higher cognitive regions and increases in pleasure regions.
D) There are increases in higher cognitive regions and decreases in pleasure regions.
E) There are increases in higher cognitive regions, but no change in pleasure regions.

Question 42

Orgasm is associated with heightened activity in the nucleus accumbens. Given the opportunity, animals will electrically stimulate that brain region, even at the expense of food or sex. What conclusion can be drawn from this information?

A) People do not need sex partners to enjoy sex.
B) We are biologically wired to find sexual behavior intensely pleasurable.
C) The biological drive for food is weak.
D) Masturbation is a vital biological need.
E) Most people prefer sex to food.

Question 43

Schubach's investigations of female ejaculation demonstrated that

A) all female ejaculation involves expelling urine.
B) female ejaculation does not exist.
C) there are two distinct types of female ejaculation.
D) all women ejaculate.
E) there is not sufficient evidence to say that female ejaculation exists.

Question 44

Elise often experiences a small milky discharge during orgasm. This discharge most likely is

A) evidence that she has a stronger orgasmic response than most women.
B) evidence that she has a high level of testosterone.
C) evidence of a disease of the reproductive tract.
D) female ejaculation consisting of urine from the bladder.
E) female ejaculation consisting of fluid from the paraurethral glands.

Question 45

Refer to the figure.
The figure shows three patterns in the sexual response cycle. Based on the information presented in the figure, which statement is true?

A) There are various sexual response patterns.
B) Without orgasm, the sexual response cycle is not complete.
C) Multiple orgasms are rare but possible.
D) All sexual response patterns are similar.
E) The sexual response cycle varies by culture and personal expectations.

Question 46

Men are more likely than women to feel dissatisfied with sexual experiences that do not include orgasm. One likely reason for this is that

A) men find orgasm more intensely pleasurable than women.
B) men generally have a longer plateau phase than women.
C) men's sexual response cycle is not complete without orgasm.
D) men can feel discomfort or pain if sex ends without ejaculation.
E) men have a prolonged refractory period.

Question 47

A woman experiences several short, rapid orgasms with no plateau between them. She is experiencing

A) unusually high levels of prolactin.
B) unusually low levels of oxytocin.
C) multiple arousal cycles.
D) failure to achieve resolution.
E) serial orgasms.

Question 48

The hormone oxytocin apparently functions during the sexual response cycle by

A) influencing mainly physical aspects of sex and reproduction.
B) influencing mainly psychological aspects of sex and reproduction.
C) influencing both physiological and psychological aspects of sex and reproduction.
D) activating the motivation and reward centers of the brain.
E) causing the refractory period.

Question 49

Enrico is a healthy, middle-aged man. After an orgasm, how long is his refractory period likely to be?

A) About a minute
B) 5 to 10 minutes
C) 30 to 90 minutes
D) About 24 hours
E) 2 to 3 days

Question 50

Why are women more likely than men to have sex for reasons other than sexual arousal?

A) Physiological signs of sexual interest are less strong in women.
B) Unlike men, women lack obvious signs of sexual arousal, such as penile erections.
C) Women may be motivated to have sex by factors such as the desire to maintain the relationship.
D) Women are less biologically wired to enjoy sex than men.
E) Women have evolutionally evolved to be protective of their bodies.

Question 51

Describe three aspects of facial appearance usually considered attractive and explain why humans may have evolved preferences for these physical traits.

Question 52

Create a dating profile for a young single man who would be "evolutionarily optimal." Include the facial, physical, and personality factors that are most preferred, according to attractiveness research.

Question 53

Describe ways in which personality and behavior influence sexual attractiveness. Consider sex differences in your response.

Question 54

Using research on familiarity, suggest ways in which men and women could optimize their appeal to someone they would like to ask on a date.

Question 55

Describe ways in which pheromones, hormones, and the menstrual cycle influence sexual interest, desire, and behavior.

Question 56

Describe differences between male and female sexual fantasies and explain the relationship between sexual fantasies and real-life sexual behaviors and attitudes.

Question 57

Using what you have learned about aphrodisiacs (how they work and the logic behind the types of products used), concoct a recipe and an advertising slogan for a new "super aphrodisiac."
Sample

Question 58

Diagram and describe the human sexual response cycle in men.

Question 59

Diagram and describe the human sexual response cycle in women.

Question 60

Discuss the different types of orgasms and climactic sexual events experienced by women.

Question 61

Describe male and female differences in the refractory period and in the ability to experience multiple orgasms.

Question 62

Which brain regions and hormones have been implicated in the experience of orgasm in men and women?