The viewing of aging and sexuality through the prism of behavioral frequencies and erectile function inherent in much current research has led to the neglect of potentially important psychosexual determinants and correlates. Clinical and phenomenological reports emphasize the importance of studying the meaning and significance of sexuality for aging individuals, but there is little systematic research into the relevant motivational, cognitive, and affective influences on this population. While this chapter focuses on the psychology of aging and sexuality, we should remain aware of the pitfalls of viewing the psychological aspects separately from the biological, interpersonal, and sociocultural contexts that shape the individual experience.

Sexual interest and motivation

The terms sexual interest, desire, motivation, and drive are frequently mentioned without addressing their underlying conceptual underpinnings. Some investigators assume that an innate drive exists, mediated by neuroendocrine mechanisms that motivate sexual behavior, while others emphasize psychosocial factors to the exclusion of biological ones. Some retrospective investigations note that men, as they age, retain characteristic levels of sexual interest and activity compared with other men. While men's interest in sex declines overall with age, variation between individuals persists through life and thus accounts for a significant proportion of the variation of sexual functioning in the elderly (Pfeiffer and Davis, 1972; White, 1982; Botwinick, 1984a).