Question 1

The condition in women that is characterized by sexual desire that is not accompanied by physiological responses necessary to achieve intercourse,such as vaginal lubrication,is known as

Accepted Answer

Inhibited sexual arousal is the condition where there is a lack of physiological responses necessary for sexual intercourse, such as vaginal lubrication, despite the presence of sexual desire. This condition specifically refers to the discrepancy between the psychological aspect of sexual desire and the physiological readiness for sexual activity.

Question 2

Martha has been diagnosed as having vaginismus.Besides intercourse,in what other scenario would Martha experience the difficulty associated with this condition?

Accepted Answer

Vaginismus is a condition where the vaginal muscles involuntarily tighten, making penetration difficult or impossible. This can occur not only during intercourse but also during a vaginal examination or any other situation that involves penetration. Urination, masturbation, and sexual arousal do not necessarily involve penetration and may not be affected by vaginismus.

Question 3

As a woman gets older,how does her physiological response to sexual stimulation change?

Accepted Answer

As a woman gets older, her rate of lubrication can slow down due to hormonal changes, which can lead to discomfort or pain during sexual activity. This can also make it harder for her to become aroused and enjoy sex.

Question 4

After gathering data on the typical individuals who seek treatment for hypoactive sexual desire,how will researchers describe these individuals?

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that individuals who seek treatment for hypoactive sexual desire are often struggling with other mental and medical disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and hormonal imbalances. While sexual abuse and guilt/anxiety around sexual activity may also be contributing factors, they are not necessarily defining characteristics of this population. Confusion about sexual identity is a separate issue related to gender and sexual orientation.

Question 5

What is vaginismus?

Accepted Answer

Vaginismus is a condition where the muscles around the vaginal opening involuntarily contract, making penetration during intercourse painful or even impossible. It is not related to gender identity or hermaphroditism, nor is it caused by an infection.

Question 6

A proposal was submitted,and ultimately rejected,to add __________ to DSM-5.Among other features,individuals present symptoms such as reckless and uncontrolled sexual behavior.

Accepted Answer

The best choice for this question is B, hypersexual disorder. This term has been used to describe individuals who engage in excessive or uncontrollable sexual behaviors, often resulting in negative consequences such as relationship problems, employment issues, and legal difficulties. Despite advocacy for its inclusion, DSM-5 ultimately rejected the proposal to add hypersexual disorder as an official diagnosis due to a lack of sufficient research and consensus on diagnostic criteria.

Question 7

Identifying the boundaries for defining premature ejaculation has been problematic for clinicians.What is the preferred way to address this difficulty?

Accepted Answer

The most preferred way to address the difficulty in defining premature ejaculation is to determine if orgasm occurs before the person wishes it. This criterion takes into account both the individual's subjective experience of ejaculatory control and the impact of premature ejaculation on sexual satisfaction and relationship functioning. Measurement tools like the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) and the Index of Premature Ejaculation (IPE) utilize this criterion to assess premature ejaculation.

Question 8

Which of the following characterizes the effect of very low levels of testosterone in males?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following characterizes the effect...

Question 9

Which of the following characterizes a woman whose orgasmic impairment is generalized?

Accepted Answer

A woman whose orgasmic impairment is generalized has never achieved orgasm by any means, whether through masturbation or sexual activity with a partner.

Question 10

A client was recently diagnosed as having erectile dysfunction.What would you conclude about this man?

Accepted Answer

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the inability to attain or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. This means that a man with ED may still experience subjective arousal, but there is an underlying physiological issue preventing proper blood flow to the penis. Choice A is incorrect as dyspareunia is a term used to describe pain during intercourse, which may or may not be related to ED. Choice B is incorrect as subjectively arousal and the ability to achieve an erection are distinct issues. Choice C is incorrect as premature ejaculation is a different sexual dysfunction that does not involve difficulty obtaining an erection.

Question 11

What can we conclude about the epidemiology of dyspareunia?

Accepted Answer

Dyspareunia, or painful intercourse, is significantly more common in women than in men. This is due to various factors including conditions like endometriosis, vaginal dryness, and other gynecological issues that predominantly affect women.

Question 12

An operational definition is based on

Accepted Answer

An operational definition is a precise description of how a variable is going to be measured or manipulated in a study. It is based on measurable characteristics of a phenomenon, and it provides a clear and specific definition of a concept, making it possible to test hypotheses and replicate results. The other choices (A, C, D) are not accurate because operational definitions are not based on theoretical ideas alone, conventional ideas, or treatment guidelines for psychiatric disorders - they are based on observable, measurable characteristics that allow researchers to measure and manipulate variables in a precise and reliable manner.

Question 13

What is the most frequent form of male sexual dysfunction?

Accepted Answer

Premature ejaculation is the most common form of male sexual dysfunction. It is characterized by ejaculation that occurs sooner than desired, either before or shortly after sexual penetration, causing distress or interpersonal difficulty. This condition is more prevalent than other forms of sexual dysfunction in men.

Question 14

A vaginal photometer and a penile plethysmograph can be used as measures of

Accepted Answer

Both the vaginal photometer and penile plethysmograph measure changes in blood flow to the genital area, which is strongly related to sexual arousal.

Question 15

Dyspareunia refers to

Accepted Answer

Dyspareunia refers to genital pain associated with sexual intercourse.

Question 16

Which of the following describes the sexual performance of men between the ages of 70 and 74?

Accepted Answer

According to research, over 60 percent of men between the ages of 70 and 74 are sexually active, indicating that sexual performance is not significantly affected by age in a majority of cases.

Question 17

Hypoactive sexual desire refers to a(n)

Accepted Answer

Hypoactive sexual desire refers to a low sex drive, which is a common sexual dysfunction experienced by both men and women.

Question 18

Traditional definitions of dyspareunia and vaginismus focus exclusively on problems that occur during intercourse,but some experts suggest

Accepted Answer

Experts suggest that dyspareunia and vaginismus should be viewed as genital pain disorders rather than forms of sexual dysfunction. This broadens the scope of the problem and allows for a more holistic approach to treatment. The traditional focus on problems that occur during intercourse is seen as too narrow and limiting.

Question 19

Mary has been experiencing pain during intercourse.Mary's psychologist is likely to refer to that persistent genital pain as

Accepted Answer

Dyspareunia refers to persistent or recurrent genital pain that occurs just before, during, or after sexual intercourse. It can be caused by physical, psychological, or emotional factors, and can significantly affect a person's sexual functioning and quality of life. Because Mary is experiencing pain during intercourse, dyspareunia would be the most appropriate term for her psychologist to use. Hypoactive sexual desire, inhibited sexual arousal, and orgasmic disorder are other types of sexual dysfunctions but they do not specifically refer to pain during intercourse.

Question 20

Why do psychologists consider sexual arousal to be a hypothetical construct?

Accepted Answer

Sexual arousal is considered as a hypothetical construct in psychology because it cannot be measured directly. It is a subjective experience, and its nature differs across individuals, making it challenging to measure. Psychologists often rely on self-report measures and physiological measures like genital and brain imaging to understand sexual arousal. Still, these methods cannot capture the full complexity of the experience, making it a theoretical construct.

Quiz 12: Sexual Dysfunctions, Paraphilic Disorders and Gender Dysphoria