Female self-report and autonomic responses to sexually pleasurable and sexually aversive readings

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate possible differential autonomic responses to sexually pleasurable and sexually aversive readings. Reading conditions were counterbalanced so that an equal number of subjects received both orders of the two readings. Female subjects' ratings, skin conductance (SC), finger pulse (FP), and heart rate (HR), in response to these readings were compared. The sexually pleasurable as compared to the sexually aversive passage was rated as more sexually stimulating, less anxiety and guilt provoking, and less disgusting, but as equally well portrayed and interesting (extent of boredom). While essentially equal SC increases were noted in response to both readings, HR deceleration and vasodilation were more characteristic of the response to the sexually pleasurable passage. These findings were compared within the context of preexperimental setting conditions and were interpreted in terms of Lacey's intake-rejection hypothesis. These findings are consistent with the idea that pleasurable sexual readings are associated with interest, attention, and heart rate deceleration, whereas aversive material may be related to rejection of the material and to heart rate acceleration.