Introduction - What is sexual behavior?

Current Meanings of the Term 2: Erotic Behavior

Sexual Repsonse In humans, the sexual response follows the same basic pattern in both males (blue) and females (red): A = Excitement, B = Plateau, C = Orgasm, D = Resolution. However, there are some possible variations in the female pattern, e.g. multiple orgasms.

2. The term "sexual behavior" can refer to any behavior involving a "sexual response" of the body.
This is a modern and rather pragmatic definition. It reflects the observation that, when they mate, many animals experience certain physical changes which show a characteristic pattern and which may be summarized in the term "sexual response". It has further been noticed that this response can occur even in situations where reproduction is impossible. Thus, some animals have been seen stimulating their own sex organs when alone, or mounting partners of their own sex, or trying to copulate with members of other species (including man). In all of these cases, an obvious sexual response is involved. This is sexual behavior in the narrow sense of the term. In the case of humans, it is also often called erotic behavior.