Journal Article

Determinants of sexual arousal and the accuracy of its self-estimation in sexually functional males

Brown, Timothy A., Nobre, Pedro J., Wiegel, Markus, Wincze, John P., Bach, Amy K., Weisberg, Risa B., Barlow, David H.

2004

Overview

Men with and without sexual dysfunction present with varying patterns of agreement between subjective estimates of sexual arousal and more objective psychophysiological measures of the same construct. This relative accuracy seems to be associated with sexual function, with men who have sexual dysfunction presenting less accurate estimations (mostly reporting below measured arousal levels). The purpose of this study is to clarify the processes underlying sexual arousal and the accuracy of its self-estimation. We looked at potential predictors of sexual arousal (subjective and physiological) and accuracy in estimating objective sexual arousal in a sample of 60 sexually functional males. Predictors included pre-existing sexual attitudes (erotophobia), both trait and state positive and negative affect, self-focused attention, and interoceptive awareness. Results indicate that this sexually functional sample generally reported below their own erection level. Interestingly, trait negative affect was associated with somewhat lower levels of subjective arousal and higher levels of physiological arousal. On the other hand, state positive affect facilitated both subjective and objective arousal and increased somewhat the accuracy of estimates of erectile responding. Pre-existing sexual attitudes as well as variations in self-focused attention and interoceptive awareness evidenced little effect on sexual arousal or the accuracy of its estimation.

• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group,Society for the Scientific Study of Sex,Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality
• Subject: Accuracy / Adult / Analysis of Variance / Anatomical systems / Anxiety disorders / Arousal / Attention / Attitudes / Body Image / Calibration / Determinants / Emotions / Erection / Erotic literature / Estimate reliability / Estimation / Fear & phobias / Focused attention / Genitalia / Humans / Impotence / Libido / Male / Males / Mating behavior / Men / Middle Aged / Multiple regression / Negative emotions / Objectives / Penile Erection - psychology / Photic Stimulation / Physiological arousal / Physiological psychology / Portugal / Positive emotions / Psicologia / Psychology / Self consciousness / Self-Assessment / Selfestimation / Sexual arousal / Sexual attitudes / Sexual behavior / Sexual Behavior - psychology / Sexual disorders / Sexual dysfunction / Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Subjective feelings / Subjectivity / Surveys and Questionnaires