Understanding Different Models of Sexuality

• Basson's model states that emotional intimacy with a partner can lead to sexual arousal through physical contact (tactile sense).
• Bancroft et al. developed the dual-control (excitation/inhibition) model of the sexual response, which emphasizes its neurophysiologic substrate and suggests that tactile stimuli give excitatory or inhibitory input to the spinal cord.
• Visual and auditory stimuli also have an important role in sexuality, while olfactory cues are less clear as they may act both as strong inhibitory signals or excitatory input.

When it comes to understanding human sexuality, there are a few models that can help us explore how and why people experience sexual arousal in the way they do. It’s important to understand these models, as they can provide valuable insight into how we experience and express our own sexuality. In this blog post, we will discuss three models of sexuality: Basson's Model, Bancroft et al.'s Dual-Control (Excitation/Inhibition) Model, and Olfactory Cues as a Potentially Powerful Tool for Affecting Sexual Responses.

Basson’s Model: Emotional Intimacy Leads to Sexual Arousal through Physical Contact

Basson's model states that physical contact is the main factor that stimulates sexual arousal in both men and women. According to this model, emotional intimacy is key for initiating physical contact which then results in sexual arousal — not the other way around. This makes sense when you consider that oxytocin — the “love hormone” — plays an important role in facilitating emotional intimacy and sexual arousal. Additionally, cultural norms often play a role in dictating how much physical contact is considered appropriate or desirable; therefore an understanding of these norms is essential for healthy sexual expression.

Bancroft et al.'s Dual-Control (Excitation/Inhibition) Model

This model focuses on neurophysiology to explain how tactile, visual, and auditory stimuli can provoke or reinforce excitatory or inhibitory inputs to the spinal cord which ultimately affects our level of sexual arousal. For example, certain smells may be more arousing than others due to their ability to evoke positive memories or emotions from past experiences. In some cases, olfactory cues can even be used as a powerful tool for affecting one’s level of sexual response depending on what is being smelled or experienced at any given moment.

Olfactory Cues as a Potentially Powerful Tool for Affecting Sexual Responses

The last model we will discuss is olfactory cues as a potentially powerful tool for affecting one’s sexual responses. Olfactory cues are smells that may be more arousing than others due to their ability to evoke positive memories or emotions from past experiences. Depending on what is being smelled or experienced at any given moment, these scents can have a strong effect on one’s level of sexual response. For example, certain floral scents may increase feelings of romantic love while other woodsy scents may promote feelings of relaxation and comfort. By understanding which smells have specific effects on our emotional states, we can use them strategically during intimate moments with partners in order to increase feelings of connection and pleasure.

In conclusion, there are several models that help us better understand why people experience different levels of arousal when engaging in intimate activities . Basson's Model suggests that emotional intimacy leads to physical stimulation which results in sexual arousal, while Bancroft et al.'s Dual-Control ( Excitation/Inhibition ) Model focuses on neurophysiology related to tactile, visual, and auditory stimuli . Finally, olfactory cues provide another potential tool for affecting one’s level of arousal by triggering positive memories associated with different smells. Overall, having an understanding of these three models helps single people gain insight into their own individual ways of experiencing healthy sexuality.