Sexual desire is an
emotion
Emotions are physical and mental states brought on by neurophysiology, neurophysiological changes, variously associated with thoughts, feelings, behavior, behavioral responses, and a degree of pleasure or suffering, displeasure. There is ...
and
motivational state characterized by an interest in sexual objects or activities, or by a drive to seek out sexual objects or to engage in
sexual activities.
It is an aspect of
sexuality
Human sexuality is the way people experience and express themselves sexually. This involves biological, psychological, physical, erotic, emotional, social, or spiritual feelings and behaviors. Because it is a broad term, which has varied ...
, which varies significantly from one person to another and also fluctuates depending on circumstances.
It may be the single most common sexual event in human life.
Sexual desire is a
subjective feeling state that can be triggered by both internal and external cues, and that may or may not result in overt sexual behaviour.
Desire can be aroused through imagination and
sexual fantasies
A sexual fantasy, or erotic fantasy, is an Autoeroticism, autoerotic mental image or pattern of thought that stirs a person's Human sexuality, sexuality and can create or enhance sexual arousal. A sexual Fantasy (psychology), fantasy can be crea ...
, or by perceiving an individual whom one finds attractive.
It is also created and amplified through
sexual tension
Sexual tension is a social phenomenon that occurs when two individuals interact and one or both feel sexual attraction, but the consummation is postponed or never happens.
A common scenario is where the two individuals function in proximity, such ...
, which is caused by sexual desire that has yet to be acted on. Physical manifestations of sexual desire in humans include licking, sucking, tongue protrusion, and puckering and touching the lips.
Desire can be spontaneous or responsive,
positive or negative, and can vary in intensity along a spectrum.
Theoretical perspectives
Theorists and researchers employ two frameworks in their understanding of human sexual desire. The first is a biological framework, also known as ''
sex drive
In psychology, libido (; ) is psychic drive or energy, usually conceived of as sexual in nature, but sometimes conceived of as including other forms of desire. The term ''libido'' was originally developed by Sigmund Freud, the pioneering origin ...
'' (or ''libido''), in which sexual desire comes from an innate motivational force like an
instinct
Instinct is the inherent inclination of a living organism towards a particular complex behaviour, containing innate (inborn) elements. The simplest example of an instinctive behaviour is a fixed action pattern (FAP), in which a very short to me ...
,
drive
Drive or The Drive may refer to:
Motoring
* Driving, the act of controlling a vehicle
* Road trip, a journey on roads
Roadways
Roadways called "drives" may include:
* Driveway, a private road for local access to structures, abbreviated "drive"
* ...
,
need
A need is a deficiency at a point of time and in a given context. Needs are distinguished from wants. In the case of a need, a deficiency causes a clear adverse outcome: a dysfunction or death. In other words, a need is something required for a ...
, urge, wish, or
want
The idea of want can be examined from many perspectives. In secular societies want might be considered similar to the emotion desire, which can be studied scientifically through the disciplines of psychology or sociology. Alternatively want can ...
.
The second is a