Covariation of sexual desire and sexual arousal: the effects of anger and anxiety. 1991

A W Bozman, and J G Beck
University of Houston, Department of Psychology, Texas 77204-5341.

To test Kaplan's model of hypoactive sexual desire, this investigation examined the effects of anger and anxiety presented during sexual stimuli. Subjects included 24 male undergraduates, free from psychological and medical problems that interfere with sexual function. Each subject was presented with three audiotapes, containing sexual content and statements by the participants that were designed to evoke anger or anxiety or that were situationally appropriate (control condition). Penile tumescence and sexual desire were monitored continuously. Results indicated significant differences in sexual desire in each of the three conditions, with desire highest during the control condition, followed by the anxiety condition, and last, the anger condition. Tumescence was decreased during the anger condition, relative to the control and anxiety conditions, which were not significantly different from one another. These findings partially support Kaplan's model of maintaining factors in hypoactive sexual desire, by demonstrating that anger may be the primary mechanism through which sexual desire and arousal are inhibited. In this study, anxiety impaired desire but did not affect tumescence. Implications for the study of emotional influences on sexual responding are discussed, including the need for investigation of other parameters of sexual motivation.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007989 Libido The psychic drive or energy associated with sexual instinct in the broad sense (pleasure and love-object seeking). It may also connote the psychic energy associated with instincts in general that motivate behavior. Decreased Libido,Increased Libido,Libido, Decreased,Libido, Increased
D008297 Male Males
D010410 Penile Erection The state of the PENIS when the erectile tissue becomes filled or swollen (tumid) with BLOOD and causes the penis to become rigid and elevated. It is a complex process involving CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM; PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEMS; HORMONES; SMOOTH MUSCLES; and vascular functions. Tumescence, Penile,Nocturnal Penile Tumescence,Penile Tumescence,Erection, Penile,Penile Tumescence, Nocturnal,Tumescence, Nocturnal Penile
D004882 Erotica Literary or artistic items having an erotic theme. It refers especially to books treating sexual love in a sensuous or voluptuous manner. (Webster, 3d ed) Pornography,Eroticism
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000704 Analysis of Variance A statistical technique that isolates and assesses the contributions of categorical independent variables to variation in the mean of a continuous dependent variable. ANOVA,Analysis, Variance,Variance Analysis,Analyses, Variance,Variance Analyses
D000786 Anger A strong emotional feeling of displeasure aroused by being interfered with, injured or threatened. Angers
D001007 Anxiety Feelings or emotions of dread, apprehension, and impending disaster but not disabling as with ANXIETY DISORDERS. Angst,Anxiousness,Hypervigilance,Nervousness,Social Anxiety,Anxieties, Social,Anxiety, Social,Social Anxieties

Related Publications

A W Bozman, and J G Beck
December 2006, Obstetrics and gynecology clinics of North America,
A W Bozman, and J G Beck
January 2010, The journal of sexual medicine,
A W Bozman, and J G Beck
January 2011, Advances in psychosomatic medicine,
A W Bozman, and J G Beck
June 1985, The American journal of psychiatry,
A W Bozman, and J G Beck
April 1988, Indian journal of psychiatry,
A W Bozman, and J G Beck
January 2015, Cognition & emotion,
A W Bozman, and J G Beck
February 1983, Journal of abnormal psychology,
A W Bozman, and J G Beck
January 2014, Journal of sex & marital therapy,
Copied contents to your clipboard!