Gender differences in love, sex, and motivation for sex.

In 1989 Sprague and Quadagno reported a significant interaction between sex and age for "motive for sexual intercourse" (affection-closeness vs physical release). Young men exceeded women in physical release as primary motive for sex, but women exceeded men in this choice at an older age. We conducted a modified replication, and we also studied Rubin's Love Scale, sexual interest, frequency of sexual arousal, and sexual enjoyment. Analysis did not confirm the earlier findings. For 60 men and 60 women differences were found for sexual interest, frequency of sexual arousal, and sexual enjoyment, with men scoring higher. Scores on Rubin's Love Scale did not differentiate the sexes.