Sexual activity isn't always the result of sexual arousal and desire. Researchers mapped the motives for having sex with a partner. Men and women cited various motives, such as experiencing pleasure, showing affection, satisfying their partner, or fulfilling a certain obligation.

Although many motives are similar, physical motives play a less important role for women than for men. For women, relational motives such as showing love are more important. For women, sexual desire is strongly linked to the need for emotional intimacy.

In Basson's sexual response model for women, the need for emotional intimacy is a key motive for sexual activity. Especially in longer-term relationships, women open themselves to sexual stimulation based on a need for emotional intimacy, which can then lead to arousal and sexual desire.

The prospect of a reward in the sexual interaction subsequently determines the extent to which women are motivated to open themselves further to sexual stimuli.