Sexual Communication and Biology

• Published in: The Handbook of Communication Science and Biology pp. 370 - 381
• Main Authors: Denes, Amanda, Bennett, Margaret, DelGreco, Maria
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Routledge 2020
• Edition: 1
• Subjects: Frontoparietal Attention Network; Harassing Behavior; Physiological Sexual Arousal; Vice Versa; Body's Physiological Response; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; Sexual Arousal; Pillow Talk; GG Genotype; Oxytocin Receptor Gene; Sexual Communication Research; Affection Exchange Theory; Task Positive Network; Sexual Communication; Bilateral Temporoparietal Junction; Ingroup Favoritism; Vaginal Photoplethysmograph; Penile Plethysmograph; AA Genotype; AET; Negative Mental Health Effects; Higher Testosterone Levels; GG Individual; MIDUS Study; Sexual Concordance
• ISBN: 9780815376736; 9780815376712; 0815376715; 0815376731
• DOI: 10.4324/9781351235587-31

This chapter reviews research on sexual communication and its associations with biological processes and outcomes. More specifically, investigations of the relevant hormones such as testosterone and oxytocin, and genes such as the oxytocin receptor gene, are examined in light of the emerging work on sexual communication. Research on the lasting effects of sexual communication on indicators of physiological stress, as well as investigations of the darker side of sexual communication, are discussed as important future directions in understanding the biological associations of communication inside and outside the bedroom. This chapter discusses the research on sexual communication and its associations with biological processes and outcomes. Research on the lasting effects of sexual communication on indicators of physiological stress, as well as investigations of the darker side of sexual communication, are discussed as important future directions in understanding the biological associations of communication inside and outside the bedroom. One approach to understanding the connections between biology and sexual communication involves focusing on trait-like measures of biology and their correlations with communication behavior. Understanding bodily responses to sexual activity can be achieved not only through tracing hormonal trajectories but also by focusing on sexual arousal as measured through blood flow. Researchers have also focused on how well individuals' evaluation of their subjective sexual arousal aligns with physiological sexual arousal measures. One emerging area of sexual communication scholarship involves investigating the effects of sexual communication on communication in non-sexual contexts.