Psychophysiological models of female sexual response

Abstract

Psychophysiology provides a methodology and a model for evaluating physiological and psychological (cognitive-affective) components of sexuality in a relatively controlled laboratory setting. Laboratory responses can then be correlated with key sexual or nonsexual self-reported behaviors, thoughts and feelings occurring in the person's daily environment. Given the fact that human sexual response is the result of a complex interaction of psychosocial and physiological factors, a psychophysiological model provides one valuable inroad to exploring and analyzing sexual response patterns. The following comments briefly evaluate the current status of the use of this model as it applies to female sexual response.