<< Conscious Satisfactions >>

Even though sensory perception and intellectual activity may be at a minimum during sexual activity, there is usually enough conscious realization of satisfaction to provide a considerable stimulus for a continuation of the activity, usually to the point of orgasm. Although it is not entirely clear what the sources of those satisfactions may be, they appear to be influenced by the following:

      * The nature and the intensity of the physical and psychologic stimuli which effect the sexual response.
      * The innate physiologic capacities of the responding individual
      * The psychologic capacities of the individual, such as his or her ability to win sexual partners, to develop effective psychologic situations during the overt activity, and to respond sympathetically to the partner’s performance.
      * The physiologic level which is attained at orgasm. It is possible that orgasm which is accompanied by a pulse running at 150 may be more stimulating than orgasm which is reached with the pulse running at 100 or so; but the data are not conclusive. Similarly, other physiologic changes may be more important when they represent a maximum departure from the normal state.
      * The previous sexual experience of the individual, and the manner in which he or she has been conditioned by such experience.
      * The individual’s previous experience with the particular sexual partner. The satisfactions to be obtained from relationships which are continued over long periods of years may steadily increase because of the increasing appreciation of the partner’s psychologic and physiologic needs, and his or her preferences in sexual matters.
      * The novelty of the sexual situation, which may stimulate when old situations have lost some of their former attraction.
      * The directness and the speed with which orgasm is attained. Some individuals prefer direct and uninterrupted activity, others prefer a leisurely, long-drawn-out performance in which there are deliberate interruptions for the sake of delaying orgasm.
      * The extent to which the sexual activities are accepted psychologically. The presence or absence of guilt feelings is, for many persons, the most important factor in determining the level of the satisfactions which may be obtained from a sexual relationship.

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