Granted, social science must always be consumed with caution. Still, papers about people’s sex lives are entertaining if not always illuminating. Here, we’ve taken the 10 most frequent reasons cited by participants of a sex study conducted by the University of Texas psych department in which people were asked to select motivations for having sex from a list of 237 choices. The choices ranged from “I realized I was in love” to “I was slumming.”
We can’t provide the full study, but there are many gems. The paper, “Why Humans Have Sex,” describes both frequently endorsed reasons for having intercourse and the common themes that unify them. Our favorite was “sex just happening due to seemingly uncontrollable circumstances.” The Daily Mail also reported the study.
Why Humans Have Sex
Cindy M. Meston and David M. Buss
Received: 20 December 2005 / Revised: 18 July 2006 / Accepted: 24 September 2006
Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2007
“There were nine themes that appeared to characterize the most frequently endorsed reasons for having intercourse: (1) pure attraction to the other person in general; (2) experiencing physical pleasure; (3) expression of love; (4) having sex because of feeling desired by the other; (5) having sex to escalate the depth of the relationship; (6) curiosity or seeking new experiences; (7) marking a special occasion for celebration; (8) mere opportunity; and (9) sex just happening due to seemingly uncontrollable circumstances.” (p.4)
Top 10 Reasons for Sex
Women
1. I was attracted to the person
2. I wanted to experience the physical pleasure
3. It feels good
4. I wanted to show my affection to the person
5. I wanted to express my love for the person
6. I was sexually aroused and wanted the release
7. I was ‘‘horny’‘
8. It’s fun
9. I realized I was in love
10. I was ‘‘in the heat of the moment’‘
Men
1. I was attracted to the person
2. It feels good
3. I wanted to experience the physical pleasure
4. It’s fun
5. I wanted to show my affection to the person
6. I was sexually aroused and wanted the release
7. I was ‘‘horny’‘
8. I wanted to express my love for the person
9. I wanted to achieve an orgasm.
10. I wanted to please my partner
If you have trouble leaving a comment, review this help page. Still having problems? Let us know. If you find yourself moderated, take a moment to review our comment policy.
By Dr Robert Strachan, MD, Phd Psychology, May 15, 2008 at 2:07 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Humans procreate (have sex) due to an instinctual need; kind of like why you eat, or drink. Sure, you think you’re hungry, but in actual fact, your cells want nourishment, and the molecules that they need to continue their life cycle. The simplest way for your cells to tell your nucleus (your brain) this message is by telling them to eat, which makes you “hungry”. Sex is very similar. For example, when a male kisses a female, and one thing leads to another, he gets aroused, and his body prepares for procreation (by giving him an erection). Males feel fatigue after procreating, because they’ve fulfilled that aspect of daily needs (just like how you feel “full” after eating or drinking. Females do not feel fatigue, because their instinct is to keep procreating until they become pregnant. I hope this clears up a bit ...
A common reason for having sex (among juveniles) was not mentioned: social pressure.
This is also true with adults.
If we did not live in such a sexually-oriented, sexually-obsessed, sexually-advertised, shallow culture
it might be different.
And there would be less STDs, less AIDS, fewer unwanted pregnancies, better students, happier kids, less suicide (second only to auto accidents in killing our kids).
Genuine, mature, meaningful expressions of sexuality in our culture have been corrupted and coopted to the God of Advertising and Sales. And most of the time, they are demeaning to women; often men, too.
I was reminded of an interview that Clinton gave after he left office, where the reporter asked about the Monica affair, “why did you do it?”
Clintons’ expression seemed to want to ask, “y’all ain’t never had a blow job, have ya?”
By THOMAS BILLIS, July 19, 2007 at 8:27 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
They did break it down into parties I have been given the top 5 Republican reasons to have sex.
1}The little boy said yes.
2}She takes American Express.
3}He wanted to have an uncivil union
4}Having children so I can be for family values
5}So I can hide my small dick in something.
Looks like every 6th time we’re in agreement. Hey…at least sometimes we agree. Although, I find it disturbing that women didn’t have “It’s fun.” in their top ten. What’s up with that…
OK, peedeecee, but if you’re correct, then the men score two votes for orgasm (#s 6 and 9 [don’t go there]) to just one for the women (#6). I still say those results are peculiar to Texas.
Truthdigger of the Week: Sen. Angus King
Email 
Print
Share
Email to a friend
Newsletter 
Like Us
Follow Us
Get Our Feed
By Dr Robert Strachan, MD, Phd Psychology, May 15, 2008 at 2:07 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Humans procreate (have sex) due to an instinctual need; kind of like why you eat, or drink. Sure, you think you’re hungry, but in actual fact, your cells want nourishment, and the molecules that they need to continue their life cycle. The simplest way for your cells to tell your nucleus (your brain) this message is by telling them to eat, which makes you “hungry”. Sex is very similar. For example, when a male kisses a female, and one thing leads to another, he gets aroused, and his body prepares for procreation (by giving him an erection). Males feel fatigue after procreating, because they’ve fulfilled that aspect of daily needs (just like how you feel “full” after eating or drinking. Females do not feel fatigue, because their instinct is to keep procreating until they become pregnant. I hope this clears up a bit ...
Report thisBy abdolla, July 28, 2007 at 8:50 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
women’s orgasm
is similar mans mid pump or pant with way my proposal by emails and address
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
orgasm14.mihanblog.com
http://www.freewebs.com/orgasm14/
orgasm14.blogfa.com
Report thisBy Skruff, July 22, 2007 at 12:29 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
If people were honest, “I was drunk” and “I was stoned” would be 1 and 2 for both women and men
Report thisBy oketa, July 19, 2007 at 10:43 pm Link to this comment
Hmm, the Catholic Churchs claim that the only legitimate reason to have sex is to procreate did not seem to make the list.
Report thisBy Jaki, July 19, 2007 at 9:35 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
A common reason for having sex (among juveniles) was not mentioned: social pressure.
This is also true with adults.
If we did not live in such a sexually-oriented, sexually-obsessed, sexually-advertised, shallow culture
it might be different.
And there would be less STDs, less AIDS, fewer unwanted pregnancies, better students, happier kids, less suicide (second only to auto accidents in killing our kids).
Genuine, mature, meaningful expressions of sexuality in our culture have been corrupted and coopted to the God of Advertising and Sales. And most of the time, they are demeaning to women; often men, too.
Too bad. We don’t know what we are missing.
Report thisBy farmertx, July 19, 2007 at 7:30 pm Link to this comment
I was reminded of an interview that Clinton gave after he left office, where the reporter asked about the Monica affair, “why did you do it?”
Report thisClintons’ expression seemed to want to ask, “y’all ain’t never had a blow job, have ya?”
By Todd, July 19, 2007 at 3:43 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Where’s the choice of “I did what to who?!?!?!”
Report thisBy anonymous, July 19, 2007 at 8:48 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Where’s, “She made me do it”?
Report thisBy THOMAS BILLIS, July 19, 2007 at 8:27 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
They did break it down into parties I have been given the top 5 Republican reasons to have sex.
Report this1}The little boy said yes.
2}She takes American Express.
3}He wanted to have an uncivil union
4}Having children so I can be for family values
5}So I can hide my small dick in something.
By nikto, July 19, 2007 at 2:57 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
I’m surprised that, “I want to make a baby to give to the GOP State to serve its will, unto death”,
wasn’t a reason.
What’s up with that?
Report thisBy Marshall, July 19, 2007 at 2:03 am Link to this comment
#87908 by Outraged on 7/19 at 12:27 am
<<I find it disturbing that women didnt have Its fun. in their top ten. Whats up with that >>
Look again.
Report thisBy Outraged, July 19, 2007 at 1:27 am Link to this comment
Looks like every 6th time we’re in agreement. Hey…at least sometimes we agree. Although, I find it disturbing that women didn’t have “It’s fun.” in their top ten. What’s up with that…
Report thisBy Argonaut, July 18, 2007 at 5:19 pm Link to this comment
OK, peedeecee, but if you’re correct, then the men score two votes for orgasm (#s 6 and 9 [don’t go there]) to just one for the women (#6). I still say those results are peculiar to Texas.
Report thisBy peedeecee, July 18, 2007 at 5:12 pm Link to this comment
Women’s reason #6 signifies orgasm.
Report thisBy heecheeboy, July 18, 2007 at 2:52 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
duh magazine, page 69.
Report thisBy Argonaut, July 18, 2007 at 1:44 pm Link to this comment
Interesting indeed. “Orgasm” was not in the female Top Ten. Guess I’d better git me one o’ them Texas wimmen.
Report this