CoChat
Sign Up
Cited by 42Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on BehaviorSexual function and dysfunction studiesNeuroendocrine regulation and behavior

Sexual incentive motivation, sexual behavior, and general arousal: Do rats and humans tell the same story?

Open access
Ågmo, Anders, Laan, Ellen·2022·Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
DOI 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104595
Open this paper in CoChat — free accountOpen PDF

Abstract

Sexual incentive stimuli activate sexual motivation and heighten the level of general arousal. The sexual motive may induce the individual to approach the incentive, and eventually to initiate sexual acts. Both approach and the ensuing copulatory interaction further enhance general arousal. We present data from rodents and humans in support of these assertions. We then suggest that orgasm is experienced when the combined level of excitation surpasses a threshold. In order to analyze the neurobiological bases of sexual motivation, we employ the concept of a central motive state. We then discuss the mechanisms involved in the long- and short-term control of that state as well as those mediating the momentaneous actions of sexual incentive stimuli. This leads to an analysis of the neurobiology behind the interindividual differences in responsivity of the sexual central motive state. Knowledge is still fragmentary, and many contradictory observations have been made. Nevertheless, we conclude that the basic mechanisms of sexual motivation and the role of general arousal are similar in rodents and humans.

The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.

Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.

A few free checks a day · papers already verified open instantly · results are public

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104595

Cites

27 of 27 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Claims the paper makes

The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.

Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.

A few free checks a day · papers already verified open instantly · results are public

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Approach motivation is triggered by particular incentives in the external world, cues associated with such incentives, and internal representations of these incentives in memory.

    “approach motivation being triggered by: • particular incentives in the external world, e.g.food, drugs, a potential sexual partner. • cues associated with such incentives, e.g. a classically conditioned association between the keyboard on a computer and the appearance of pornographic images on the screen. • internal representations of these incentives in memory.”

    From A motivation model of sex addiction – Relevance to the controversy over the concept (2022) · cites this paper as Ågmo and Laan, 2022

    The Introduction and Table 2 describe sexual incentives activating motivation and approach. Section 5.1 reports that a conditioned odor predicting access to a mate acquires incentive properties, while §3.2 says mental representations of sexually relevant events can increase drive intensity. These passages support the three-part account for sexual motivation, but the paper does not establish it for approach motivation generally or give the keyboard-and-pornography example. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

The self-check needs the paper’s full text.

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 51

  1. Ågmo, A., 2007. Functional and dysfunctional sexual behavior. A Synthesis of Neuroscience and Comparative Psychology. Academic Press, San Diego.
  2. Antoniou-Tsigkos, A., Zapanti, E., Ghizzoni, L., Mastorakos, G., 2019. Adrenal androgens. In: Feingold, K.R., Anawalt, B., Boyce, A. (Eds.), Endotext. MDText.com.
  3. Argiolas, A., Melis, M.R., 2013. Neuropeptides and central control of sexual behaviour from the past to the present: a review. Prog. Neurobiol. 108, 80-107.
  4. Beach, F.A., 1956. Characterstics of masculine "sex drive". In: Jones, M.R. (Ed.), Nebraska Symposium on Motivation. University of Nebraska Press, pp. 1-32.
  5. Medin, D.L. (Ed.), Psychology of Learning and Motivation: Advances in Research and Theory, Vol. 40. Elsevier, San Diego, CA, pp. 223-278.
  6. Bindra, D., 1969. The interrelated mechanisms of reinforcement and motivation, and the nature of their influence on response. In: Arnold, W.J., Levine, D. (Eds.), Nebraska Symposium on Motivation. University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, NE, pp. 1-33.
  7. Bindra, D., 1976. A Theory of Intelligent Behavior. Wiley, New York.
  8. Bolour, S., Braunstein, G., 2005. Testosterone therapy in women: a review. Int. J. Impot. Res. 17, 399-408.
  9. Both, S., Everaerd, W., Laan, E., 2007. Desire emerges from excitement: a psychophysiological perspective on sexual motivation. In: Janssen, E. (Ed.), The Psychophysiology of Sex. Indiana University Press, Bloomington, IN, pp. 327-339.
  10. Bremer, J., 1958. Asexualization: A Follow-up Study of 244 Cases. Oslo University Press, Oslo.
  11. Cera, N., Vargas-Cáceres, S., Oliveira, C., Monteiro, J., Branco, D., Pignatelli, D., Rebelo, S., 2021. How relevant is the systemic oxytocin concentration for human sexual behavior? A systematic review. Sex. Med. 9, 100370.
  12. Conover, W.J., 1999. Practical Nonparametric Statistics, third ed. Wiley, New York, NY.
  13. Deka, S., Bania, R., Borah, P., Das, S., Deb, P.K., 2020. Pharmacology of serotonin and its receptors. In: Kumar, P., Deb, P.K. (Eds.), Frontiers in Pharmacology of Neurotransmitters. Springer, Singapore, Singapore, pp. 183-212.
  14. Dickinson, A., Balleine, B., 2002. The role of learning in the operation of motivational systems. In: Gallistel, R., Pashler, H. (Eds.), Stevens' Handbook of Experimental Psychology, third ed. Wiley, New York, NY, pp. 497-533.
  15. Dubray, S., 2013. Étude des sensations physiques et physiologiques associées à l'orgasme chez l'homme et la femme sans difficulté avec cette phase de leur réponse sexuelle (Ph.D. thesis). Université de Quebec, Montréal.
  16. Einhäuser, W., 2017. The pupil as marker of cognitive processes. In: Zhao, Q. (Ed.), Computational and Cognitive Neuroscience of Vision. Springer Singapore, Singapore, pp. 141-169.
  17. Erskine, M.S., 1989. Solicitation behavior in the estrous female rat: a review. Horm. Behav. 23, 473-502.
  18. Fenner, L., 2017. Sexual consent as a scientific subject: a literature review. Am. J. Sex. Educ. 12, 451-471.
  19. Freud, S., 1957. Instincts and their vicissitudes (1915). In: Freud, S. (Ed.), The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud. Hogarth Press and the Institute of Psychoanalysis, London, pp. 117-140.
  20. de Gee, J.W., Knapen, T., Donner, T.H., 2014. Decision-related pupil dilation reflects upcoming choice and individual bias. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 111, E618-E625.
  21. Geniole, S.N., Carre, J.M., 2018. Human social neuroendocrinology: review of the rapid effects of testosterone. Horm. Behav. 104, 192-205.
  22. Harman, S.M., Metter, E.J., Tobin, J.D., Pearson, J., Blackman, M.R., 2001. Longitudinal effects of aging on serum total and free testosterone levels in healthy men. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 86, 724-731.
  23. Hull, E.M., Rodríguez-Manzo, G., 2017. Male sexual behavior. In: Pfaff, D.W., Joëls, M. (Eds.), Hormones, Brain and Behavior, third ed. Academic Press, Oxford, pp. 1-57.
  24. Islam, R.M., Bell, R.J., Green, S., Page, M.J., Davis, S.R., 2019. Safety and efficacy of testosterone for women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trial data. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 7, 754-766.
  25. Janssen, E., 2011. Sexual arousal in men: a review and conceptual analysis. Horm. Behav. 59, 708-716.
  26. Kinsey, A.C., Pomeroy, W.B., Martin, C.E., 1948. Sexual Behavior in the Human Male. Saunders, Philadelphia.
  27. Kinsey, A.C., Pomeroy, W.B., Martin, C.E., Gebhard, P.H., 1953. Sexual Behavior in the Human Female. Saunders, Philadelphia.
  28. Komisaruk, B.R., Whipple, B., 2000. How does vaginal stimulation produce pleasure, pain, and analgesia? In: Fillingim, R.B. (Ed.), Sex, Gender, and Pain. IASP Press, Seattle, WA, pp. 109-134.
  29. La Torre, A., Conca, A., Duffy, D., Giupponi, G., Pompili, M., Grozinger, M., 2013a. Sexual dysfunction related to psychotropic drugs: a critical review part II: antipsychotics. Pharmacopsychiatry 46, 201-208.
  30. La Torre, A., Giupponi, G., Duffy, D., Conca, A., 2013b. Sexual dysfunction related to psychotropic drugs: a critical review -part I: antidepressants. Pharmacopsychiatry 46, 191-199.
  31. La Torre, A., Giupponi, G., Duffy, D.M., Pompili, M., Grozinger, M., Kapfhammer, H.P., Conca, A., 2014. Sexual dysfunction related to psychotropic drugs: a critical review. Part III: mood stabilizers and anxiolytic drugs. Pharmacopsychiatry 47, 1-6.
  32. La Torre, A., Giupponi, G., Duffy, D., Conca, A., Catanzariti, D., 2015. Sexual dysfunction related to drugs: a critical review. Part IV: cardiovascular drugs. Pharmacopsychiatry 48, 1-6.
  33. La Torre, A., Giupponi, G., Duffy, D., Conca, A., Cai, T., Scardigli, A., 2016. Sexual dysfunction related to drugs: a critical review. Part V: α-blocker and 5-ARI drugs. Pharmacopsychiatry 49, 3-13.
  34. McDougall, W., 1914. The definition of the sexual instinct. Proc. R. Soc. Med. 7, 65-88.
  35. McDougall, W., 1926. An introduction to social psychology (revised edition). Supplementary Chapter 5: The Sex Instinct.
  36. McDougall, W., 1950. An introduction to social psychology. Supplementary Chapter 8: A Rectification, A Difficulty and an Addition, 23rd ed. Methuen & Co., London, UK.
  37. Ogawa, S., Lubahn, D.B., Korach, K.S., Pfaff, D.W., 1997. Behavioral effects of estrogen receptor gene disruption in male mice. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94, 1476-1481.
  38. de Oliveira, L., Carvalho, J., Sarikaya, S., Urkmez, A., Salonia, A., Russo, G.I., 2021. Patterns of sexual behavior and psychological processes in asexual persons: a systematic review. Int. J. Impot. Res. 33, 641-651.
  39. Paredes, R.G., Ågmo, A., 2004. Has dopamine a physiological role in the control of sexual behavior? A critical review of the evidence. Prog. Neurobiol. 73, 179-226.
  40. Pfaff, D., 2006. Brain arousal and information theory. Neural and Genetic Mechanisms. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.
  41. Pfaff, D.W., 1982. Neurobiological mechanisms of sexual motivation. In: Pfaff, D.W. (Ed.), The Physiological Mechanisms of Motivation. Springer, New York, pp. 287-317.
  42. Pfaff, D.W., Ågmo, A., 2002. Reproductive motivation. In: Pashler, H., Gallistel, R. (Eds.), Steven's Handbook of Experimental Psychology. Volume 3, Learning, Motivation, and Emotion, third ed. Wiley, New York, pp. 709-736.
  43. Neill, J.D. (Ed.), Knobil and Neill's Physiology of Reproduction. Academic Press, New York, NY, pp. 1825-1920.
  44. Pfaus, J.G., Shadiack, A., van Soest, T., Tse, M., Molinoff, P., 2004. Selective facilitation of sexual solicitation in the female rat by a melanocortin receptor agonist. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 101, 10201-10204.
  45. Rosen, R.C., Lane, R.M., Menza, M., 1999. Effects of SSRIs on sexual function: a critical review. J. Clin. Psychopharmacol. 19, 67-85.
  46. Sherwin, C.M., 1998. Voluntary wheel running: a review and novel interpretation. Anim. Behav. 56, 11-27.
  47. Stickgold, R., Walker, M.P.E., 2009. The Neuroscience of Sleep. Academic Press, Amsterdam.
  48. Tavares, I.M., Moura, C.V., Nobre, P.J., 2020. The role of cognitive processing factors in sexual function and dysfunction in women and men: a systematic review. Sex. Med. Rev. 8, 403-430.
  49. Toates, F., 1986. Motivational Systems. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
  50. Waldherr, M., Neumann, I.D., 2007. Centrally released oxytocin mediates mating- induced anxiolysis in male rats. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 104, 16681-16684.
  51. Xue-rui, T., Ying, L., Da-zhong, Y., Xiao-jun, C., 2008. Changes of blood pressure and heart rate during sexual activity in healthy adults. Blood Press. Monit. 211-217.

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Ågmo, A., & Laan, E.
Affiliations
  • UiT The Arctic University of Norway (NO)
  • Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam (NL)
Corresponding author
Ågmo, Anders
ORCID
Venue
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2022-04
Volume
135
Pages
104595
ISSN
0149-7634 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104595
OpenAlex
W4214691543
Cited by
42
References
27
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 8
FWCI
1.21
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Pure Amsterdam UMC (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • NORA - Norwegian Open Research Archives (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Sexual function and dysfunction studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
Keywords
sexual motivation, sexual behavior, orgasm, approach behavior, mating behavior, individual differences, rats, human, comparative neurobiology
MeSH terms
Animals, Arousal, Humans, Motivation, Neurobiology, Sexual Behavior, Sexual Behavior, Animal, Rats

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review