Sexual desire

Sexual desire is an emotion^[1]^[2] and motivational state characterized by an interest in sexual objects or activities, or by a drive to seek out sexual objects or to engage in sexual activities.^[3] It is an aspect of sexuality, which varies significantly from one person to another and also fluctuates depending on circumstances.

It may be the single most common sexual event in human life.^[3]

Sexual desire is a subjective feeling state that can be triggered by both internal and external cues, and that may or may not result in overt sexual behaviour.^[4] Desire can be aroused through imagination and sexual fantasies, or by perceiving an individual whom one finds attractive.^[5] It is also created and amplified through sexual tension, which is caused by sexual desire that has yet to be acted on. Physical manifestations of sexual desire in humans include licking, sucking, tongue protrusion, and puckering and touching the lips.^[6]

Desire can be spontaneous or responsive,^[7] positive or negative, and can vary in intensity along a spectrum.

^ Mobbs, Anthony (2020-01-04). "An Atlas of Personality, Emotion and Behaviour". PLOS ONE. 15 (1): e0227877. doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4792323.v1. PMC 6974095. PMID 31961895.
^ Mobbs, Anthony E. D. (2020-01-21). "An atlas of personality, emotion and behaviour". PLOS ONE. 15 (1): e0227877. Bibcode:2020PLoSO..1527877M. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0227877. ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 6974095. PMID 31961895.
^ ^a ^b Regan, P.C.; Atkins, L. (2006). "Sex Differences and Similarities in Frequency and Intensity of Sexual Desire". Social Behavior & Personality. 34 (1): 95–101. doi:10.2224/sbp.2006.34.1.95. S2CID 29944899.
^ Beck, J.G.; Bozman, A.W.; Qualtrough, T. (1991). "The Experience of Sexual Desire: Psychological Correlates in a College Sample". The Journal of Sex Research. 28 (3): 443–456. doi:10.1080/00224499109551618.
^ Toates, F. (2009). "An Integrative Theoretical Framework for Understanding Sexual Motivation, Arousal, and Behavior". Journal of Sex Research. 46 (2–3): 168–193. doi:10.1080/00224490902747768. PMID 19308842. S2CID 24622934.
^ Gonzaga, G. C.; Turner, R. A.; Keltner, D.; Campos, B.; Altemus, M. (2006). "Romantic Love and Sexual Desire in Close Relationships". Emotion. 6 (2): 163–179. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.116.1812. doi:10.1037/1528-3542.6.2.163. PMID 16768550.
^ Basson, R. (2000). "The Female Sexual Response: A Different Model". Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy. 26 (1): 51–65. doi:10.1080/009262300278641. PMID 10693116.

[1] Mobbs, Anthony (2020-01-04). "An Atlas of Personality, Emotion and Behaviour". PLOS ONE. 15 (1): e0227877. doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4792323.v1. PMC 6974095. PMID 31961895.

[2] Mobbs, Anthony E. D. (2020-01-21). "An atlas of personality, emotion and behaviour". PLOS ONE. 15 (1): e0227877. Bibcode:2020PLoSO..1527877M. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0227877. ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 6974095. PMID 31961895.

[Regan&Atkins2006-3] Regan, P.C.; Atkins, L. (2006). "Sex Differences and Similarities in Frequency and Intensity of Sexual Desire". Social Behavior & Personality. 34 (1): 95–101. doi:10.2224/sbp.2006.34.1.95. S2CID 29944899.

[Becketal1991-4] Beck, J.G.; Bozman, A.W.; Qualtrough, T. (1991). "The Experience of Sexual Desire: Psychological Correlates in a College Sample". The Journal of Sex Research. 28 (3): 443–456. doi:10.1080/00224499109551618.

[Toates2009-5] Toates, F. (2009). "An Integrative Theoretical Framework for Understanding Sexual Motivation, Arousal, and Behavior". Journal of Sex Research. 46 (2–3): 168–193. doi:10.1080/00224490902747768. PMID 19308842. S2CID 24622934.

[Gonzagaetal2006-6] Gonzaga, G. C.; Turner, R. A.; Keltner, D.; Campos, B.; Altemus, M. (2006). "Romantic Love and Sexual Desire in Close Relationships". Emotion. 6 (2): 163–179. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.116.1812. doi:10.1037/1528-3542.6.2.163. PMID 16768550.

[Basson2000-7] Basson, R. (2000). "The Female Sexual Response: A Different Model". Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy. 26 (1): 51–65. doi:10.1080/009262300278641. PMID 10693116.

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