Question 1

What was the major contribution made by William Masters and Virginia Johnson?

Accepted Answer

William Masters and Virginia Johnson are best known for their research on human sexual response cycle, which described the physiological and psychological stages of sexual arousal and orgasm in both men and women. This research was groundbreaking at the time and paved the way for further studies on human sexuality.

Question 2

From the extensive information it collected concerning patterns of sexual activity, what did the National Health and Social Life Survey reveal concerning the achievement of orgasms by men and women?

Accepted Answer

The National Health and Social Life Survey revealed that a larger percentage of men than women report that they always have an orgasm.

Question 3

What are the phases of the human sexual response cycle described by Masters and Johnson?

Accepted Answer

Masters and Johnson described the phases of the human sexual response cycle as excitement, orgasm, and resolution.

Question 4

What is the major difference between men and women in the sexual response cycle?

Accepted Answer

Women may be able to respond to stimulation during the resolution phase, while men typically experience a refractory period during this phase. This means that men are not able to respond to further stimulation immediately after orgasm, whereas women may be able to continue experiencing sexual arousal and have multiple orgasms without a refractory period.

Question 5

What is the final phase of the human sexual response cycle?

Accepted Answer

The final phase of the human sexual response cycle is resolution, which is characterized by a gradual reduction in sexual arousal and the return of the body to its pre-aroused state. This phase is marked by a sense of relaxation and satisfaction following the experience of orgasm. While orgasm is an important part of the sexual response cycle, it occurs during the plateau phase and is not the final phase. Vasocongestion refers to the engorgement of blood vessels in the genital area during sexual arousal and is not a phase of the sexual response cycle.

Question 6

What point concerning sexual problems was highlighted by the case of Bill and Margaret described in the text?

Accepted Answer

The case of Bill and Margaret highlighted the importance of their thoughts and beliefs about the meaning of sexual behavior in the development of their sexual problems. It was their differing expectations and beliefs that led to a mismatch in their sexual desires and caused their dysfunction. This emphasizes the importance of psychological factors in sexual behavior. The other options are not supported by the information provided in the text.

Question 7

Kevin has just reached orgasm and finds that he is unable to get an erection again. Although this concerns him greatly, it is actually a normal phenomenon called

Accepted Answer

The refractory period is the time after orgasm during which it is impossible or difficult for a man to have another ejaculation or erection. This is a normal phenomenon experienced by men and varies in duration from individual to individual. Choices A and C refer to different stages of sexual arousal and choice B refers to pain during sexual intercourse, which is not related to the given scenario.

Question 8

Sexual dysfunctions can affect which of the phases in the sexual response cycle?

Accepted Answer

Sexual dysfunctions can affect any of the phases in the sexual response cycle, including the excitement phase, orgasm phase, and resolution phase. Examples of sexual dysfunctions include erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, female orgasmic disorder, and sexual pain disorders. These dysfunctions can significantly interfere with sexual pleasure and intimacy.

Question 9

The National Health and Social Life Survey found that

Accepted Answer

The National Health and Social Life Survey found that while the percentage of women who always achieve orgasm during sex is relatively small, the percentage who report being extremely physically satisfied is relatively high. This suggests that orgasm is not the only indicator of sexual satisfaction for women. On the other hand, the percentage of men who always achieve orgasm during sex is relatively high, but the percentage who report being extremely physically satisfied is relatively low.

Question 10

From the extensive information it collected concerning patterns of sexual activity, what did the National Health and Social Life Survey reveal concerning the physical and emotional satisfaction of men and women?

Accepted Answer

The National Health and Social Life Survey found that men and women did not differ significantly in their levels of physical and emotional satisfaction.

Question 11

Some of the most dramatic physiological changes during sexual excitement are due to vasocongestion, which refers to

Accepted Answer

Vasocongestion refers to the engorgement of blood vessels, particularly in the genitals, which leads to increased blood flow and swelling. This can result in physical changes such as erection of the penis, engorgement of the clitoris and vaginal walls, and heightened skin sensitivity.

Question 12

Which of the following was characteristic of the interviews Alfred Kinsey conducted between 1938 and 1956 about sexual behavior?

Accepted Answer

Kinsey's interviews focused on experiences that resulted in orgasm, rather than on psychiatric diagnoses or subjective distress. He believed that sexual behavior should be studied objectively and scientifically, without moral judgment.

Question 13

With regard to the DSM-IV-TR, failure to achieve orgasm

Accepted Answer

According to the DSM-IV-TR, failure to achieve orgasm may be considered indicative of a disorder if the person in question is distressed by it. This falls under the diagnostic category of Sexual Dysfunctions, which includes a number of sexual problems that cause distress for the individual experiencing them.

Question 14

You have come to the part of your Abnormal Psychology textbook that covers the sexual dysfunctions, where there are several case studies presented. Which of the following might well be one of those cases?

Accepted Answer

A case study about someone whose sexual desire is inhibited would fit into the category of sexual dysfunctions, specifically hypoactive sexual desire disorder. The other options mentioned do not necessarily fall under the category of sexual dysfunctions.

Question 15

What was one of Alfred Kinsey's conclusions based on interviews with 18,000 men and women between 1938 and 1956?

Accepted Answer

One of Kinsey's main conclusions was that distinctions among sexual orientations were essentially meaningless, and that most people fell somewhere on a continuum between exclusive heterosexuality and exclusive homosexuality. He found that many people experienced some level of same-sex attraction or behavior at some point in their lives, even if they identified as heterosexual. This challenged prevailing attitudes about sexuality and helped pave the way for greater acceptance of LGBTQ+ identities.

Question 16

According to DSM-IV-TR, it is possible for a person to be uninterested in sex or to have difficulty engaging in sexual relations and yet not be diagnosed with any sexual dysfunction because

Accepted Answer

According to DSM-IV-TR, a person may not be diagnosed with a sexual dysfunction if they are uninterested in sex or have difficulty engaging in sexual relations, but do not experience distress or interpersonal difficulty as a result. The other options presented in the question are not accurate reasons for this.

Question 17

What new social attitude about sex led to the belief that sexual dysfunctions are a legitimate topic of psychological inquiry?

Accepted Answer

The new social attitude that sex fosters marital intimacy and is a source of pleasure led to the belief that sexual dysfunctions are a legitimate topic of psychological inquiry. As people started valuing sex as a source of pleasure and intimacy in marital relationships, they also recognized that sexual problems could have a negative impact on one's well-being and quality of life. This led to an increased interest in researching and treating sexual dysfunctions through psychological means.

Question 18

What was the basis of the descriptions of the human sexual response cycle offered by William Masters and Virginia Johnson?

Accepted Answer

William Masters and Virginia Johnson conducted observations of people engaged in sexual activities in a laboratory setting to develop their description of the human sexual response cycle. They monitored physiological responses and interviewed participants about their subjective experiences to create a comprehensive model of the sexual response cycle.

Question 19

The incredible diversity of sexual experiences reported by his subjects led Alfred Kinsey to

Accepted Answer

Kinsey's research showed that there was a wide range of sexual behaviors and preferences among individuals, challenging the traditional idea of "normal" sexual behavior. He believed that these behaviors and preferences were simply part of the natural spectrum of human sexuality and should not be stigmatized or considered abnormal.

Question 20

Based on the results of the National Health and Social Life Survey, all of the following are accurate EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

The National Health and Social Life Survey revealed that a high percentage of women had experienced vaginal intercourse and that masturbation was very common in women. However, the survey did not find evidence to support the claim that less than 10 percent of women had ever engaged in oral intercourse. In fact, the survey found that a substantial percentage of women had engaged in oral sex. Additionally, the survey found that a high percentage of men had had sex with only one partner in the year of the survey.

Quiz 12: Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders