BerandaThe following post is atypical for my specialization yet pertinent to the behavioral, physical, and biological implications associated to sexual attraction. Relationships are perceived as being phenomena that makes the world go around, resulting in fulfillment, content, and emotional competence. If you are not in a relationship, you are perceived to be deficient; however, selecting a mate that is suitable is not uncomplicated or linear by any means.
Pheromones are said to play an important role in determining who we find attractive on a variety of different levels. Pheromones are described as being chemicals that organisms release into the environment that facilitate communicative processing with other members of their species. It has been proven that there are many; in fact, hundreds of pheromones that represent sexual attractants. However, there is a certain level of absurdity associated attract ability being predominantly attributed to olfactory application alone.
According to Levine (1999), pheromones are critical in seeking a substantial partner especially regarding sexual attraction. Although this application is highly controversial, the biological and behavioral relevance provides overwhelming attestation to the corroboration of such research. Cutler (1986) asserted that although human pheromones are individualized and even undetected at times, there are certain scents that affect the body in different ways, highly responsible for syncing individuals together in a sexual manner (as cited in Levine, 1999).
For example, when a woman is ovulating, her body produces copulins, a scent that is attractive to men as it raises their level of testosterone. The biochemical association of sexual attraction takes into account: (a) odor, (b) face shape, and (c) the pitch of one’s voice (Schmid, 2009). There are theorists that believe sexual attraction to be highly associated to science and evolution. Facial construction and the fullness of one’s lips are at times perceived to be most important in regards to sexual attraction. In fact, approximately 66% of females feel obliged to break up with a man after a bad first kiss due to the level of sensuality that is either detected or nonexistent (Schmid, 2009).
When considering the variables that directly pertain to another’s attraction, perception is a substantial motive relating to appeal. There are many different ways that individual’s measure attractiveness and the qualities associated to appeal are highly subjective in nature. With women having faster perceptual speed, it is interesting to consider whether or not they are able to detect an appealing or attractive man quicker than a man realizes that he is attracted to a woman (Kimura, 1992).
The brain organizes sex hormones that develop during puberty and these hormones affect the brain differently as the individual ages. Sexual function is complex because it involves the interaction of the spinal cord reflexes, an individual’s hormones, psychological elements, as well as the overall influence from the brain. Orgasmic activity for males and females is typically found to be reflexogenic or psychogenic in regards to overall stimulation. Reflexogenic refers to direct stimulation in which the brain is not found to be important as psychogenic stimulation results from a message sent from the brain due to the level of attraction that each may have towards one another. Most of the time, stimulation from both senses are utilized to climax.
There are receptors in the brain that bind together during sexual behavior that changes the brain. These neural modifications change within the limbic system of the brain, controlling the majority of one’s bodily functions. Such neuro-chemistry is biologically based in which the dopamine levels activate the reward circuitry. Sexual attraction is based on interpretation, appeal, chemistry, and the sociological rewards received from one another, without actually having sex. The rewards interpreted from sexual attraction and sex itself can result in euphoric expressions, directly effecting behavior and actions.
Upon sexual excitement or involvement, the neurotransmitter dopamine is activated and if this activation is determined to be significant, the reciprocated response can be associated to substance utilization a drugging of sorts. Dopamine affects the brain in the comparable way that cocaine affects the brain. The brain stem is also involved in this process as it releases phenylethylamine (PEA) which increases the behavior and interaction that takes place between nerve cells (Amen, n.d.).
The regions of the brain that are affected during sexual pleasure include the temporal lobe, the amygdala, the hippocampus, the anterior insula, the brain stem, and the limbic system (Kimura, 1992).
It should also be noted that women have excess levels of the hormone oxytocin, a neurotransmitter secreted from the pituitary gland. The excess of this “hormone of love” results in forming bonds with sexual partners as well as having the desire to form monogamous bonds with sexually active partners (Wadem 2011).
The final consideration examined is the genetic or predisposed association of attract ability, our literal sexual chemistry. This is referred to as the histocompatibility complex (MHC) in which humans have a genetic predisposition to be attracted to certain individuals with a certain genetic composition (Haselton, 2006). Typically, mates with different immune systems produce children that are healthy; however, if women are taking contraceptives, the opposite is found to be applicable because they would prefer MHC genes that are similar to their own (Haselton, 2006).
It is proven that partners who are sexually active at times produce impediments in regards to companionable feelings because sex is an enigma causing the brain to release oxytocin afterwards and can lead you to bond with someone that you actually do not bond with. This hormone sends false messages to the control panel of the brain and is deceptive when interpreting the behavior and expectations of another based on a bond that really doesn’t exist (Haselton, 2006). Amenability is highly significant within the realm of relationships and sexual attraction can make this pronouncement ambiguous; therefore, abstaining from sexual behavior at the onset of relationships is paramount in determining overall attract ability.
It should also be noted that attraction can take place via the internet in an online dating scenario and not be communal in person, when meeting face-to-face. A prospect able mate may provide intellectual conversation, portray analogous moral perspectives of conventionality, display ambitious undertones, and provide an astounding personality with witty simulation as well. However, in person, the attraction is shelved as there are other characteristics that make someone attractive. Therefore, it can be deduced that sexual chemistry may subsist in an online environment but this appeal should not be expected to be reciprocated in person because chemistry is not linear and when circumstances are modified, the charismatic association that once existed has vanished (Williams, 2008).
In summation, the elements pertaining to sexual attract ability or appeal is highly subjective, with varied perspectives and theories applicable to overall mate selection and satisfaction. It has been argued that men are more visual until their mid to late 30’s before they are able to assess other factors of attract ability in their mate that out-weigh sole appearance.
Likewise, it has been argued that women search more for personality and security, commiseration and stability, a paternal perception, surpassing the appearance or vocation of a male. Furthermore, conclusive results of sexual attraction and companion ability are left ajar for interpretation and subjective application.
References:
Amen, D. (n.d.). Understand what sex does to your brain. Men’s Health. Http://www.menshealth.com. Retrieved from, http://www.menshealth.com/mhlists/understanding_sex_and_the_brain/index.php.
Haselton, M.G. (2006). Sexual attraction: The magic formula. The Sunday Times. http://women.timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved from, http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/style/article722915.ece.
Kimura, D. (1992). Sex differences in the brain. Scientific American.http://www.dhushara.com. Retrieved from, http://www.dhushara.com/book/socio/kimura/kimura.htm.
Levine, D. (1999). Pheromones: Potential participants in your sex life. Cnn.com. http://www.cnn.com. Retrieved from, http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/women/9906/25/sexuality.scent/.
Schmid, K. (2009). The laws of sexual attraction. Cnn.com. http://articles.cnn.com. Retrieved from, http://articles.cnn.com/2009-04-13/living/o.laws.of.sex.attraction_1_attraction-mhc-testosterone-levels?_s=PM:LIVING.
Wade, N. (2011). Depth of the kindness hormone appears to know some bounds. New York Times. Http://www.nytimes.com. Retrieved from, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/11/science/11hormone.html.
Williams, D. (2008). Sexual attraction online that should have stayed online. Associated Content. http://www.associatedcontent.com. Retrieved from, http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1308381/sexual_attraction_online_that_should_pg2.html?cat=41.
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