In biology and sexology, the proceptive phase is the initial period in a relationship when organisms are "courting" each other, prior to the acceptive phase when copulation occurs. Behaviors that occur during the proceptive phase depend very much on the species but may include visual displays, movements, sounds and odours.
The term “proceptivity” was introduced into general sexological use by Frank A. Beach in 1976 and refers specifically to behavior enacted by a female to initiate, maintain, and/or escalate a sexual interaction. There are large species differences in proceptive behavior. The term has also been used to describe women’s roles in human courtship, with a meaning very close to Beach’s. A near synonym is “proception.”
The term “proceptive phase” refers to pre-consummatory, that is, pre-ejaculatory, behavior and focuses attention on the active role played by the female organism in creating, maintaining, and escalating the sexual interaction.
Famous quotes containing the word phase:
“The Indians feel that each stage is crucial and that the child should be allowed to dwell in each for the appropriate period of time so that every aspect of his being can evolve, just as a plant evolves in the proper time and sequence of the seasons. Otherwise, the child never has a chance to master himself in any one phase of his life.”
—Alan Quetone (20th century)