Sexual behavior

Biology

Endocrinology

Developmental psychology

Psychology

Proceptive phase

Internal medicine

Hormone

Ovariectomized rat

Medicine

Receptivity

Hormones and Behavior

Special definitions are proposed for three concepts representing characteristics of female mammals when they are in estrus. Attractivity refers to the female's stimulus value in evoking sexual responses by the male. Proceptivity connotes various reactions by the female toward the male which constitute her assumption of initiative in establishing or maintaining sexual interaction. Receptivity is defined in terms of female responses necessary and sufficient for the male's success in achieving intravaginal ejaculation. Attempts are made to measure each variable in the S-R paradigm and to identify the causal agents determining each aspect of the estrous female's behavioral characteristics.

Sexual attractivity, proceptivity, and receptivity in female mammals