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Current Sexual Health Reports
Published in: Current Sexual Health Reports 3/2016

01-09-2016 | Integrating the Psychosocial (B McCarthy, RT Segraves and AH Clayton, Section Editors)

The Enigma of Sexual Desire, Part 2: Theoretical, Scientific, and Medical Perspectives

Authors: David L. Rowland, Aaron R. Tempel

Published in: Current Sexual Health Reports | Issue 3/2016

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Abstract

In this two-part series, we review various perspectives of non-science writers (Part 1) and then, in this second part, beginning with the late nineteenth century, of scientists and medical professionals (psychologists, physicians, etc.). In this part, we focus on various scientific approaches and models regarding the nature of sexual desire, including its role in engendering sexual and non-sexual responses. We show that most of the current thinking regarding sexual desire is founded upon these previous models and that, in reality, the development of this construct has progressed little over the past quarter century. The relatively recent notion of low sexual desire as being a problem or even dysfunction is considered, as we, in the final section, attempt not only to synthesize the many perspectives of this construct but also to discuss its future direction.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Footnotes
1
Evolutionary theory, discussed later, argues that such non-sexual behaviors such as competition and status increase the opportunity to gain access to females and therefore lead to greater reproductive success in males.
 
2
This is basically an economic argument. If you are looking for a partner, say, for a business enterprise, you would surely choose that candidate that promises to bring the greater effort and resources to the table.
 
3
This report was the result of a conference supported by the Sexual Function Health Council of the American Foundation for Urologic Disease through educational grants provided by Affiliated Research Centers, Eli Lilly/ICOS Pharmaceuticals, Pentech Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer Inc., Procter & Gamble, Schering-Plough, Solway Pharmaceuticals, TAP Pharmaceuticals, and Zonagen.
 
4
See Appendix 1 for a brief summary about the current state of assessment instruments evaluating sexual desire.
 
5
As we pointed out earlier, a careful reading of Kaplan indicates much greater nuance and flexibility than this criticism suggests, and indicates that Kaplan’s model was not really far amiss. As we have further noted, however, it appears to be the rather simplistic subsequent interpretations of Kaplan’s model, rather than the model itself, that might have been the problem.
 
6
It should be recognized that “spontaneous” or “unprompted” sexual desire is reported by about one-third of women.
 
7
An important ancillary question is: assuming differences in the two concepts, does desire precede interest, or does interest precede desire, with the “cognitive” transforming into the “motivational.”
 
8
Although not a diagnostic classification, excessive sexual behavior driven by strong desire becomes problematic when it leads to risky behaviors, inappropriate objects or situations, illegal activities, or impairment of functioning in other areas.
 
9
Along similar lines, unattractive characteristics might serve as “de-motivators” for sex, at least insofar as a particular partner is concerned.
 
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Metadata
Title
The Enigma of Sexual Desire, Part 2: Theoretical, Scientific, and Medical Perspectives
Authors
David L. Rowland
Aaron R. Tempel
Publication date
01-09-2016
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Sexual Health Reports / Issue 3/2016
Print ISSN: 1548-3584
Electronic ISSN: 1548-3592
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-016-0079-9

Other articles of this Issue 3/2016

Current Sexual Health Reports 3/2016 Go to the issue

Integrating the Psychosocial (B McCarthy, RT Segraves and AH Clayton, Section Editors)

The Enigma of Sexual Desire, Part 1: A Brief Review of Classical, Historical, Philosophical, and Literary Perspectives

Male Sexual Dysfunction and Disorders (AW Pastuszak and TS Köhler, Section Editors)

Advances in the Surgical Treatment of Peyronie’s Disease

Current Controversies (P Kleinplatz and C Moser, Section Editors)

The Quest for a Prosexual Medication for Women

Male and Female Surgical Interventions (AL Burnett and CC Carson III, Section Editors)

Prostatic Urethral Lift: Worth the Hype?

Female Sexual Dysfunction and Disorders (L Brotto and A Bradford, Section Editors)

Internet-Based Interventions for Women’s Sexual Dysfunction

Preclinical and Psychophysiology (J Pfaus and L Marson, Section Editors)

How Do Early Life Experiences Modulate Sexual Function, Stress, and Pain? The Role of Serotonin in Sexual Function