Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Volume 5 / Erotic Symbolism; The Mechanism of Detumescence; The Psychic State in Pregnancy

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Gutenberg ID

13614

Title

Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Volume 5 / Erotic Symbolism; The Mechanism of Detumescence; The Psychic State in Pregnancy

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Havelock Ellis explores terminal sexual phenomena, including erotic symbolism, the physiology of climax, and the maternal psyche. This scholarly volume investigates perversions, biological mechanisms, and the profound psychological shifts of pregnancy with clinical detachment and historical breadth.

Summary up to 500 words

In Volume 5 of his seminal series, Havelock Ellis examines the terminal phenomena of the sexual process, dividing his inquiry into three primary sections: Erotic Symbolism, The Mechanism of Detumescence, and The Psychic State in Pregnancy. The first section, "Erotic Symbolism," defines the diversion of sexual attraction from a beloved partner to peripheral objects or acts, termed "sexual equivalents." Ellis argues that these manifestations—such as foot-fetichism, scatalogic symbolism, zoophilia, and exhibitionism—are not merely pathologies but specialized developments of individual taste rooted in early associations or congenital predispositions. He illustrates how specific objects, from ancient Greek foot worship to modern shoe-fetichism, acquire dynamic power over the psycho-physical mechanism of sex, effectively transmuting values so that non-human objects assume the emotional weight of a beloved person. The second section, "The Mechanism of Detumescence," shifts focus to the physiological and psychological climax of coitus. Ellis details the involuntary nature of ejaculation and the subsequent vascular and muscular changes, treating the act as a profound biological event involving significant circulatory and respiratory disturbances rather than a trivial occurrence. He explores the properties of semen, the concept of "erotic intoxication," and the "erotic temperament," noting physical characteristics like deep voices and pigmentation that may accompany a heightened sexual state. He emphasizes that the final conjugation of two individuals is an act lifted out of self-centered ends to become an instrument of higher forces fashioning the species. The final section, "The Psychic State in Pregnancy," addresses the maternal condition, investigating the phenomenon of "longings" or cravings. Ellis notes their prevalence in first pregnancies and their connection to childhood food impulses, suggesting they represent a revival of primitive impulses. He analyzes theories ranging from physiological necessity to auto-suggestion, citing the Duchess d'Abrantès to illustrate the power of social suggestion. He also touches upon the controversial topic of maternal impressions, where a mother's emotions are believed to mark the unborn child. Throughout, Ellis maintains a tone of scientific inquiry, acknowledging the limits of current knowledge while emphasizing the enduring interest of the maternal instinct and the miracle of conception.

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Categories

• Psychology
• Sex