Two terms used throughout the need discussions are defined below:

Need Conflicts: Within a particular dimension some needs conflict with each other because they evoke incompatible behavior if they are expressed synchronically (simultaneously). For example, the aggression and nurturance needs evoke incompatible behavior in all three dimensions. Needs that conflict in a particular dimension are located in opposite areas of that dimension (see Target Model) indicating that they are not normally activated synchronically in that dimension.

Mal Adaptive Need Fusion: Needs that normally produce conflicting behavior when synchronically evoked in a particular dimension are sometimes combined or fused despite resulting conflicts. Mal adaptive fusion creates frustrations and problems. For example, in the combative dimension, when the aggression and succorance needs are synchronically activated, the fused behavioral expression may take the form of whining and complaining that does not effectively express either the aggression need or the succorance need.

The Sex Need
(The need to satisfy sexual desires)

The sex need, as defined above, does not indicate how, or in what ways, the need is satisfied. Rather, it specifies a type of satisfaction. Defined in this way, sex is a tactile-sensual (physical) type of satisfaction that is easy to identify once it has been experienced.

Sigmund Freud raised our consciousness about the sex need. The repressive ambivalent beliefs about sex, held by the society in which Freud lived, were associated with considerable sexual pathology. Freud perceived some of these sex and sex related problems that others of his time denied or did not see. Freud justified his focus on sex with the observation that human sexual behavior is influenced by a wide variety of physiological and neural functions. Because of his professional training as a physiologist and physician, and the philosophical determinism of his time, it was important for Freud to find a strong physiological base for his psychological theories. Today, we recognize that sexual behavior is interactive with the hormonal system, lower brain functions, and higher cortical functions including symbolic thinking and fantasy. Sex is definitely a bio-psycho-social need. While this is also true for some other needs, the biological and psychological interactions for sex are more pronounced and obvious than for many other needs.

The general importance and significance of sex in human life is indicated by the fact that one of the primary ways we identify ourselves and others is by gender. Our language is full of sexual connotations and our institutions are influenced by conscious and unconscious beliefs about sexuality. Practices and prejudices pertaining to gender are based on established belief systems that cannot be changed without conscious analysis and strong challenge.

The Function of the Sex Need

The sex need serves the biological function of perpetuating the species. The sex need also psychologically supports the procreative function. It stimulates contacts between the sexes and is an important factor in long term family and affiliative relationships. Sex also has a broad experiential function in human lives. It is derived, in part, from sensual pleasure that focuses our attention on immediate gratification and thus provides a restorative service. This aspect of sex is most pronounced in humans in which the pleasurable-recreational expressions of sex are ardently pursued while the procreative function is often purposefully blocked. In humans, the sex need has become functionally independent of the estrus cycle.

Problems Related to the Sex Need

The sex, autonomy, and play needs form a cluster of closely associated needs that are active in the positive areas of all three motivation dimensions. Thus, the sex need is part of a motivation subsystem that emphasizes impulsiveness, spontaneity, and pleasure. The sex need is opposed to the blame avoidance, harm avoidance, deference, and abasement needs. These negative associations suggest that sexual problems are apt to develop if a person becomes confused about when to express and when to inhibit sexual impulses because of concerns about blame, harm, guilt, or the reactions of authority.

Sex is an assertive need. Sexual satisfaction must be attained through a person's own will, not by the will of another. If the combative element becomes too strong and dominant, however, the sex need can produce violent, possessive behavior. Sadism and masochism have roots in poorly controlled combative aspects of sexuality. The expression: "All's fair in love and war," verbalizes the combative sex desire to eliminate sexual rivals and protect one's sexual interests. However, if the sex drive were not associated to some extent with self assertion, there might not be enough force behind the need to overcome the rivalry, obstacles, prohibitions, and restrictions operating against it. Among many lower animals, the sex need combines with aggression to select the strongest and most combative animals for procreation, thus shaping the evolutionary direction of the species. Among these animals, the sex drive is restricted to mating seasons to prevent the total exhaustion and destruction of the procreators.

Sexual impotence can develop if the sex need is too closely associated with the achievement, counteraction, and inferiority avoidance needs. If this occurs, anticipation of "success" or "failure" (unrealistically associated with orgasm) distracts concentration on immediate sexual sensations and focuses attention on future events. As with all sensory experience, sexual sensations are immediately experienced in present time. The blame and harm avoidance needs also inhibit sexual concentration and create anxiety that turns attention away from sexual sensations and feelings. When attention is focused on immediate sexual sensations, orgasm is more apt to "happen" than when attention is diverted to other inhibiting needs. The close association normally existing between the sex and autonomy needs indicates the importance of spontaneity and self assertiveness in sexual satisfaction.

Close association between the sex need and the rational needs (order, understanding, achievement) may produce compulsive sexual behavior. The rational needs should not be active while personal sexual feelings are active.

In the past, many false beliefs about alleged dangers and sins connected with masturbation have caused considerable guilt feelings about sex. Masturbation, and sometimes by generalization, any form of sexual behavior, can thus become closely associated with the abasement, blame, and harm avoidance needs with unfortunate consequences. More accurate and realistic knowledge about sex obtained from several studies (starting with the Kinsey reports) has refuted these ideas, although beliefs (especially unconscious beliefs) about the dangers and "sin" of masturbation may still create unrealistic guilt and anxiety about this common sexual outlet.

Dimension Locations of the Sex Need

The sex need is located in the combative area of the combative dimension. It is part of the cluster of six ego needs located in the upper part of the combative area (aggression, rejection, sex, autonomy, defendance, dominance). As part of this cluster, the sex need can be an integral part of the expression of our will and ego. Some degree of boldness is often necessary for effective sexual expression and to overcome negative attitudes and prohibitions against any form of sexual behavior. "Sex appeal" and sexual energy enhance a person's influence and power.

The sex need is located in the personal-social area of the personal-social dimension. This location emphasizes the intimate romantic aspects of sexual expression. Because of the influence of closely associated personal-social needs (nurturance, succorance, play, gratitude, sentience, affiliation) the sex need is expressed in the personal-social dimension in a more caring way and loses its combative dimension ego centered associations. In the personal-social area, the autonomy need is also closely associated with the sex need and this close association provides a non-aggressive element of ego assertiveness and spontaneity in personal sexual expression.

The sex need is located in the competitive area of the competitive dimension. It is located near the midpoint of the dimension, indicating that it is not highly active in intense forms of competitive activity. Sexual interests and desires are often involved in competitive striving. Competence and ability enhance sex appeal.

Sex Dislocated in the Non Combative Area of the Combative Dimension

If the sex need is dislocated in the non combative area, it may indicate a lack of assertiveness in the expression of sexual interests and desires. In this location, the sex need is also associated with rational and other inhibiting needs that conflict with the sex need. If the sex need is absent from the other ego needs in the combative area, self assertion loses power.

Sex Located Too Near the Periphery of the Combative Area of the Combative Dimension

If the sex need is located near the periphery of the combative area relative to other needs, sex assumes unusual control over self-assertiveness. The person's sexual interests may be expressed in very possessive and controlling ways and combative situations may be highly sexually charged.

Sex Dislocated in the Impersonal Area of the Personal-Social Dimension

The dislocation of the sex need in the impersonal area creates a loss of the caring aspects of personal sexual relationships. Thus, sex may not be as significantly related to personal commitment and bonding as it is for most people. Located in the impersonal area, the sex need may be unduly controlled by rational needs and, in turn, may interfere with attempts to resolve personal conflicts.

Sex Located Too Near the Periphery of the Personal-Social Area of the Personal-Social Dimension

If the sex need is located close to the periphery of the personal-social area relative to other needs, it assumes unusually strong power and control over the individual's personal interactions. Sex may be viewed as the ultimate and most important motive in personal relationships. Personal-social interactions may be strongly colored by sexuality.

Sex Dislocated in the Noncompetitive Area of the Competitive Dimension

If the sex need is dislocated in the noncompetitive area of the competitive dimension, there is a loss of competitive motivation to improve knowledge, skills, and abilities as a means for enhancing sexual appeal. The person may tend to withdraw from situations where there is competition for sexual attention.

Sex Located Too Near the Periphery of the Competitive Area of the Competitive Dimension

Location of the sex need near the periphery of the competitive area relative to other needs, suggests that the sex need is an unusually strong motivating force in competitive activities. It may mean that one of the person's most important goals is to attain recognition for sexual attractiveness and superiority.