Introduction - What is sexual behavior?

Current Meanings of the Term 2: Erotic Behavior

Humans

In human beings, the meaning of sexual behavior is by no means always clear. The sexual response as such may be obvious enough, but its motivation and purpose may remain entirely obscure. Using a popular expression, we may then say that someone uses "sex for nonsexual ends". However, the debate over what these ends are often remains unresolved.

Needless to say, there is an advantage in speaking about sexual behavior without reference to its possible meaning. A neutral usage can protect us from prejudging the issue. Therefore, this usage is now very popular with sex researchers who try to get an objective and detailed description of what someone does before they declare why he does it. Clearly, the definition covers all types of human sexual activity (sexual self-stimulation, heterosexual and homosexual intercourse, and sexual contact with animals), but it does not imply any hierarchical order among them. Moreover, it leaves each of these activities open to interpretation. In short, the above definition does not equate sex with reproduction or any other particular purpose. It merely calls attention to a certain physical response common to a variety of activities. Still, we know that, at least in human beings, this response is often accompanied by strong sensual pleasure.