Gender differences in the content of cognitive distraction during sex.Researchers investigating the cognitive processing of sexual stimuli have reported consistent gender differences (see Geer & Manguno-Mire, 1996, for a review) that may inform the differential role of distraction in the sexual arousal sexual arousal Horny/horniness, randy/randiness Physiology A state of sexual 'yellow alert' which has a mental component–↑ cortical responsiveness to sensory stimulation, and physical component–↑ penile sensitivity, neural response to stimuli, of men and women. For example, sexual content-induced delay (slower response in identifying stimuli when an erotic element is present) is longer in women. Men are also faster and more accurate in memory for sexual information and have a more complex organization of knowledge for sexually-oriented words, while women have a more complex organization of relationship-oriented words. The extent to which these differences relate to distraction is unknown. They might, however, suggest a gender difference in distractibility distractibility Psychiatry The inability to maintain attention; shifting from one area or topic to another with minimal provocation Significance Sign of organic impairment, or a part of a functional disorder–eg, anxiety states, mania, or schizophrenia within the context of sexual situations. Women's hesitation in identifying erotic content, relative memory under-performance for sexual information, and less complex organization of explicit sexual information could all indicate a sexual focus more easily shifted than that of men. Distraction and Sexual Arousal Numerous studies on sexual arousal have focused on distraction, generally understood to denote de·note tr.v. de·not·ed, de·not·ing, de·notes 1. To mark; indicate: a frown that denoted increasing impatience. 2. attention to nonsexual thoughts. Most of these studies have tested male participants in laboratory settings. Distraction operationalizations have ranged from tones to mathematical tasks, and these have been pitted in the laboratory against a variety of erotic stimuli intended to produce sexual arousal (Abrahamson, Barlow bar·low n. An inexpensive, one- or two-bladed pocketknife. [After Barlow, the family name of its makers, two brothers in Sheffield, England.] , Sakheim, Beck, & Athanasiou, 1985; Adams, Haynes, & Brayer bray·er 1 n. One that brays, especially a donkey. , 1985; Farkas, Sine, & Evans, 1979; Geer & Fuhr, 1976). Performance demands, specifically, have been targeted as potentially interfering with arousal arousal /arous·al/ (ah-rou´z'l) 1. a state of responsiveness to sensory stimulation or excitability. 2. the act or state of waking from or as if from sleep. 3. . These have been operationalized as instructional sets to achieve erection erection /erec·tion/ (e-rek´shun) the condition of being rigid and elevated, as erectile tissue when filled with blood. e·rec·tion n. 1. as quickly as possible, continuous self-monitoring of arousal levels, and shock threats contingent on Adj. 1. contingent on - determined by conditions or circumstances that follow; "arms sales contingent on the approval of congress" contingent upon, dependant on, dependant upon, dependent on, dependent upon, depending on, contingent insufficient arousal (Abrahamson, Barlow, & Abrahamson, 1989; Beck & Barlow, 1986a, 1986b; Farkas et al., 1979; Heiman & Rowland, 1983; Lange, Wincze, Zwick, Feldman, & Hughes, 1981). Results indicate that cognitive distraction has an arousal-inhibiting effect for sexually functional men, although some specific performance demands actually enhance arousal. Cognitive distraction and performance demands do not seem, however, to have as great an effect on sexually dysfunctional dys·func·tion also dis·func·tion n. Abnormal or impaired functioning, especially of a bodily system or social group. dys·func men. The reason for this apparently paradoxical finding may lie in the possibility that the distraction introduced experimentally does not add significantly to the interference these men already experience (Abrahamson et al., 1985). Cranston-Cuebas and Barlow (1990) summarized this body of research as suggesting that sexual dysfunction sexual dysfunction Inability to experience arousal or achieve sexual satisfaction under ordinary circumstances, as a result of psychological or physiological problems. in men is partly associated with attention that is focused on non-sexual thoughts. The impact of distraction on the sexual arousal of women remains largely uninvestigated. A handful of laboratory studies using a combination of self-report and physiological measures of arousal indicated that distraction also interferes with their arousal, although a difference has yet to be found between sexually functional and dysfunctional women (Adams et al., 1985; Elliott & O'Donohue, 1997; Przybyla & Byrne, 1984). There is also a preliminary indication that women's arousal may be even more affected by distraction than that of men (Przybyla & Byrne). Content of Cognitive Distraction A few recent non-laboratory studies on female sexual arousal have focused on the content of cognitive distraction and on body image. Faith and Schare (1993) were able to predict frequency of sexual behavior sexual behavior A person's sexual practices–ie, whether he/she engages in heterosexual or homosexual activity. See Sex life, Sexual life. in both male and female participants with body image scores from the Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory (DSFI DSFI Dual Sequential Fuel Injection (engine) DSFI Distributed Spacecraft Formation Initialization DSFI Discrete Square Root Filter Information : Derogatis, 1975). Women in this study, however, endorsed more negative body image than their male counterparts. The authors concluded that negative body image probably resulted in self-spectatoring during sex (a focus on self instead of the sexual activity or the partner) and, consequently, in sexual avoidance. Trapnell, Meston, and Gorzalka's (1997) replication of these findings led them to a different conclusion. They posited that the valence Valence, city, France Valence (väläNs`), city (1990 pop. 65,026), capital of Drôme dept., SE France, in Dauphiné, on the Rhône River. of the self-focus may determine whether it interferes with arousal. Self-focused women who liked their bodies probably did not experience the self-spectatoring as distracting dis·tract tr.v. dis·tract·ed, dis·tract·ing, dis·tracts 1. To cause to turn away from the original focus of attention or interest; divert. 2. To pull in conflicting emotional directions; unsettle. , but rather, as arousing. The importance of the valence of sexual thoughts rather than their simple occurrence has been demonstrated repeatedly in the work of Byers and colleagues (Little & Byers, 2000; Renaud & Byers, 2001). None of the aforementioned studies focused on the actual content of distracting thoughts during sexual activity. Dove and Wiederman (2000) were the first to attempt it. They designed and administered a cognitive distraction questionnaire to 74 women, inquiring inquiring, v to draw information from a client—whether by verbal questioning or physical examination—to assess the person's state of health. about two potential distractors or concerns during sex: performance and bodily appearance. Finding no difference in scores between the two scales in their sample, they speculated that women may consider being attractive equivalent to performing well during sex. They thus combined scale scores to arrive at a general cognitive distraction score which was negatively associated with sexual esteem, sexual satisfaction, and orgasm orgasm /or·gasm/ (or´gazm) the apex and culmination of sexual excitement.orgas´mic or·gasm n. consistency. Dove and Wiederman called for the further validation of this measure and the investigation of gender differences in appearance- versus performance-based distraction. Using a different instrument, the Body Image Self-Consciousness Scale, Wiederman (2000) found body self-consciousness to be negatively related to sexual experience and sexual assertiveness assertiveness /as·ser·tive·ness/ (ah-ser´tiv-nes) the quality or state of bold or confident self-expression, neither aggressive nor submissive. , and positively associated with sexual avoidance. Considering a now-voluminous research indicating that Western women are ailing from a normative nor·ma·tive adj. Of, relating to, or prescribing a norm or standard: normative grammar. nor bodily discontent and self-objectification (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997; Tiggemann & Lynch, 2001), it seems theoretically sound to propose that this body dissatisfaction may be a common theme in the content of women's cognitive distraction during sex. Thirty-five percent of Wiederman's (2000) sample reported body self-consciousness during sex. Roberts and Gettman (2004) found that, when women were primed toward self-objectification by a scrambled sentence task, their ratings of negative emotions negative emotion Any adverse emotion–eg, anger, envy, cynicism, sarcasm, etc. Cf Positive emotion. were higher and their ratings of the appeal of physical sex were lower than in a body-competence priming condition. In contrast, men's ratings were unaffected by the primes. Body image distraction may be the female equivalent of the performance distraction purportedly common in male sexual arousal problems. On the other hand, we still know little about the body image concerns of men during sex. Origins of Potential Gender Differences in Cognitive Distraction The possibility that women may be more distractable during sex and that their distraction may focus more on appearance concerns than on performance aligns with both essentialist and constructivist con·struc·tiv·ism n. A movement in modern art originating in Moscow in 1920 and characterized by the use of industrial materials such as glass, sheet metal, and plastic to create nonrepresentational, often geometric objects. theories of gender differences in sexuality. Evolutionary psychology evolutionary psychology n. The study of the psychological adaptations of humans to the changing physical and social environment, especially of changes in brain structure, cognitive mechanisms, and behavioral differences among individuals. posits that natural selection may have favored males with low thresholds for sexual arousal and females who were discriminating dis·crim·i·nat·ing adj. 1. a. Able to recognize or draw fine distinctions; perceptive. b. Showing careful judgment or fine taste: and slow to arouse, as a function of gender differences in degree of parental investment In evolutionary biology, parental investment (PI) is any parental expenditure (time, energy etc.) that benefits one offspring at a cost to parents' ability to invest in other components of fitness (Clutton-Brock 1991: 9; Trivers 1972). (Ellis & Symons, 1990). This same theory would predict that women may consequently not be as aroused subjectively by visual stimuli (i.e., more distractable) in order to delay copulation copulation /cop·u·la·tion/ (kop?u-la´shun) sexual union; the transfer of the sperm from male to female; usually applied to the mating process in nonhuman animals. cop·u·la·tion n. 1. and allow for a thorough assessment of "mate value." Conversely con·verse 1 intr.v. con·versed, con·vers·ing, con·vers·es 1. To engage in a spoken exchange of thoughts, ideas, or feelings; talk. See Synonyms at speak. 2. , males may demonstrate immediate arousal (more focus) to visual stimuli, perhaps owing to owing to prep. Because of; on account of: I couldn't attend, owing to illness. owing to prep → debido a, por causa de a lower degree of parental investment. The greater variation in female sexual physiological arousal can also pose some challenges to males, perhaps explaining their performance concerns (Mah & Binik, 2001). Variation in the female orgasmic pattern is greater than in the standard pattern of ejaculation ejaculation /ejac·u·la·tion/ (e-jak?u-la´shun) forcible, sudden expulsion; especially expulsion of semen from the male urethra. (Basson, 2000; Masters & Johnson, 1966). Males may need to focus on and constantly adjust their sexual technique as a result of the unpredictability and delay of onset of the female response; a standard technique probably would not be effective across all partners. Considering that male ejaculation is more predictable, women may be less focused on performance in favor of their own appearance. The focus on their own appearance may even be an adaptive reaction to the importance males place on the visual elements of a sexual stimulus (Chick & Gold, 1987-1988; Ellis & Symons, 1990; Gold & Gold, 1991; Rosegrant, 1986; Winick, 1985). Men and women may simply be more concerned about those sexual matters most relevant to them: performance for men and appearance for women. On the other hand, social constructionist con·struc·tion·ist n. A person who construes a legal text or document in a specified way: a strict constructionist. arguments, such as objectification ob·jec·ti·fy tr.v. ob·jec·ti·fied, ob·jec·ti·fy·ing, ob·jec·ti·fies 1. To present or regard as an object: "Because we have objectified animals, we are able to treat them impersonally" theory (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997), hypothesize hy·poth·e·size v. hy·poth·e·sized, hy·poth·e·siz·ing, hy·poth·e·siz·es v.tr. To assert as a hypothesis. v.intr. To form a hypothesis. that Western culture in our time is engaging in unprecedented levels of female objectification. The alleged result has been that women have internalized this culturally-encouraged, objectifying gaze and have become highly critical of their bodies, to the detriment Any loss or harm to a person or property; relinquishment of a legal right, benefit, or something of value. Detriment is most frequently applied to contract formation, since it is an essential element of consideration, which is a prerequisite of a legally enforceable contract. of their emotional and sexual health. Thus, both socio-evolutionary and social constructionist theories would predict that men and women would be differentially concerned about their bodily appearance. Research Questions and Hypotheses Cognitive theory Conitive theory may refer to:
information processing Acquisition, recording, organization, retrieval, display, and dissemination of information. Today the term usually refers to computer-based operations. step in any endeavor, including sex. Additionally, existing theory and research suggest more sexual distractatibility and body concerns in women than in men, who may be more performance-oriented. In light of this literature, we sought to (a) examine gender differences in the self-reported content of cognitive distraction during sex and (b) explore the association of each type of distraction on specific aspects of sexual experience. Dove and Wiederman's (2000) cognitive distraction measure was used, as it was the only measure simultaneously targeting performance and appearance concerns. We hypothesized that women would report more overall and appearance-based distraction than would men and that men would report more performance-based distraction than would women. Within gender, we hypothesized that women would endorse more appearance- than performance-based distraction, while men would exhibit the opposite pattern. Because we did not expect to find a high prevalence of sexual dysfunction in a healthy college population (Laumann, Paik, & Rosen, 1999), we explored the relationship of these two types of distraction with a number of aspects of sexuality theoretically and empirically related to sexual function (sexual attitudes, knowledge, experience, fantasies, satisfaction, body image, affect, and psychological distress psychological distress The end result of factors–eg, psychogenic pain, internal conflicts, and external stress that prevent a person from self-actualization and connecting with 'significant others'. See Humanistic psychology. ). The contention was that, even if deficits in these areas had not yet resulted in dysfunction dysfunction /dys·func·tion/ (dis-funk´shun) disturbance, impairment, or abnormality of functioning of an organ.dysfunc´tional erectile dysfunction impotence (2). , due to the participants' youth and lack of sexual experience, continued problems in these areas might be risk factors for dysfunction later. METHOD Participants A total of 623 participants completed the protocol, and no student refused to participate after a detailed description of the sexual nature of the study was disclosed. Analyses, however, were limited to individuals who had coital co·i·tus n. Sexual union between a male and a female involving insertion of the penis into the vagina. [Latin, from past participle of co experience and were under the age of 30. The final sample thus consisted of 457 participants: 220 men and 237 women. Each participant received research credit for participation in the experiment. The majority (78%) of participants were between 1820 years of age, college freshmen or sophomores (85%), and currently involved in a steady romantic relationship (55.5%) ranging in length from 1-80 months (M = 19.47, SD = 16.68). In terms of ethnic distribution, 56.5% of the sample self-identified as Caucasian, 14% as Asian American A·sian A·mer·i·can also A·sian-A·mer·i·can n. A U.S. citizen or resident of Asian descent. See Usage Note at Amerasian. A , 11% as African American African American Multiculture A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. See Race. , 9% as Hispanic American, and 6% as other unidentified ethnic groups. Tests of significance performed on the demographic variables yielded no significant differences between the male and female samples in terms of age, year of study, or ethnic distribution. Men and women did differ, however, in relationship status and length of relationship. Women were more likely than men to be currently involved in a steady relationship, [chi square chi square (kī), n a nonparametric statistic used with discrete data in the form of frequency count (nominal data) or percentages or proportions that can be reduced to frequencies. ] (1, N = 457) = 29.57, p < .001, and women reported relationships of longer length (M = 12.73, SD = 15.78) than did men (M = 8.33, SD = 15.26), F (1,455) = 9.15, p < .01. We controlled for the influence of relationship status in all regression analyses. Measures Participants completed a questionnaire packet consisting of a variety of sexuality measures of interest. A demographic background form containing questions regarding participants' age, racial background, and sexual status/relationship was administered. The measures used in the current study included the Cognitive Distraction Scale, the Global Sexual Functioning Score of the Sexual History Form (SHF SHF abbr. superhigh frequency Noun 1. SHF - 3 to 30 gigahertz superhigh frequency radio frequency - an electromagnetic wave frequency between audio and infrared ), and the Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory (DSFI). Cognitive Distraction Scale. Cognitive distraction as separated into two distinct areas of concern, appearance-and performance-based, was evaluated with the Cognitive Distraction Scale, developed by Dove and Wiederman (2000). The scale consists of 20 items inquiring about cognitive concerns during sex, 10 of which focus on appearance and 10 of which focus on performance. An example of an appearance-related item is, "If the lights are on during sexual activity, I worry too much about how appealing my body is to my partner." An example of a performance-related item is, "During sexual activity, I think too much about whether my partner is happy with the way I am touching his/her body." Each item is accompanied with a Likert-type scale, from 1(always) to 6(never). For ease of interpretation, all of the items were reverse-scored so that higher scores indicated higher levels of cognitive distraction. The range of scores for each of these scales is 10-60. The internal consistency In statistics and research, internal consistency is a measure based on the correlations between different items on the same test (or the same subscale on a larger test). It measures whether several items that propose to measure the same general construct produce similar scores. coefficient for both scales in Dove and Wiederman's (2000) sample was .95 for both scales, and the scales were highly related (r = .83). In our sample, the internal consistency coefficient was .94 for both scales, but they were not as highly related (r = .64). We conducted a principal components analysis with VARIMAX rotation on the cognitive distraction scale on our sample, and it yielded two separate factors. The first factor consisted of the appearance-based distraction items and had an eigenvalue eigenvalue In mathematical analysis, one of a set of discrete values of a parameter, k, in an equation of the form Lx = kx. Such characteristic equations are particularly useful in solving differential equations, integral equations, and systems of of 10.82, accounting for 54.11% of the variance. The second factor consisted of the performance-based distraction items and had an eigenvalue of 2.35, accounting for 11.74% of the variance. Global Sexual Functioning Score of the Sexual History Form. The Global Sexual Functioning Score is a single summary score extracted from the Sexual History Form (SHF) assessing sexual functioning (Creti et al., 1998). A global sexual functioning score that is calculated from the 46 SHF items results in a mean value that is greater than 0 and less than 1, with higher scores indicating more dysfunction. This scoring system Noun 1. scoring system - a system of classifying according to quality or merit or amount rating system classification system - a system for classifying things has demonstrated good reliability, with temporal stability ranging from .92-.98 and internal consistency coefficients in the .50-.70 range. In terms of validity, the measure has demonstrated the ability to differentiate between sexually functional and dysfunctional males and females (Creti et al.). Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory (DSFI). To assess a variety of aspects of sexuality that have been theoretically linked to sexual function, the Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory (DSFI) was administered (Derogatis, 1975). The DSFI assesses the individual's current state of sexual functioning and is composed of 254 items arranged into 10 subsets. Comprehensive reliability and validity data for the DSFI scales were reported by Derogatis and Melisaratos (1979). Only eight of the subtests were administered in this study, including the following: Sexual Information, Experiences, Attitudes, Psychological Distress, Affect, Fantasy, Body Image, and Sexual Satisfaction. The DSFI Sexual Information subscale is scored as the sum of correctly-answered 26 true-false items designed to measure the participant's knowledge of sexual functioning. Scores thus range from 0-26, and higher scores indicate more knowledge. The DSFI Sexual Experience subscale consists of 24 distinct sexual behaviors that reflect the spectrum of sexual experience, from fundamental to relatively advanced. The subscale score is defined as the number of activities endorsed as having been experienced and ranges from 0-24, with higher scores indicating more experiences. The DSFI Attitude sub-test score is the algebraic sum as distinguished from arithmetical sum, the aggregate of two or more numbers or quantities taken with regard to their signs, as + or -, according to the rules of addition in algebra; thus, the algebraic sum of -2, 8, and -1 is 5. See also: Sum of 30 items thought to reflect liberal versus conservative sexual attitudes, after a specific adjustment for positive or negative valence. Participants are asked to respond to each item via a 5-point Likert-type scale in which there are two degrees of agreement, a neutral point and two degrees of disagreement. Scores range from -60 to +60, and higher scores indicate more liberal sexual attitudes. The DSFI Psychological Symptoms subtest consists of 53 psychological symptoms which participants endorse as having been bothersome anywhere from 0 (not at all) to 4 (extremely) over the past two weeks. This sub-test yields a Global Severity Index (GSI GSI - Gensym Standard Interface ) indicating psychological distress. The GSI ranges from 0-4, with higher scores indicating more psychological distress. The DSFI Affects subtest measures the balance between positive and negative emotions. Participants are asked to endorse 40 different one-word emotion items from 0 (never) to 4 (always). Eight emotion scores (joy, contentment Contentment Aglaos poor peasant said by the Delphic oracle to be happier than the king because he was contented. [Gk. Myth.: Benét, 15] , vigor VIGOR Internal medicine A clinical study–Vioxx GI Outcomes Report comparing a proprietary COX-2 inhibitor to standard NSAIDs , affection, anxiety, depression, guilt, hostility) are entered into an equation that yields an Affect Balance Index ranging from -4 to +4, with higher scores indicating more positive affect. The DSFI Fantasy subscale score is the sum of positively endorsed fantasies out of 20 presented fantasy themes and thus ranges from 0-20, with higher scores indicating more fantasies. The DSFI Body Image subscale consists of 10 general items and 5 gender-specific ones, resulting in a score that ranges from 0-60, with higher scores denoting dissatisfaction with one's appearance. The 15 statements reflecting sentiments about one's body are accompanied by a Likert-type scale from 0 (not at all) to 4 (extremely). The DSFI Sexual Satisfaction sub-test consists of 10 true-false items that are scored positively if answered in an adaptive direction, resulting in a total score that ranges from 0-10. Studies suggest that the DSFI is a highly reliable and valid measure of sexual functioning, and the inventory is widely-utilized within sexual research. Derogatis and Melisaratos (1979) reported internal consistency reliability coefficients between .60 and .97 and test-retest coefficients across a 14-day interval ranging from the high .70s to the low .90s with an N of 325. Howell et al. (1987) also reported test-retest coefficients over .70 within a 14 day-period. Procedure Formal approval for this study was obtained from the Institutional Review Board Committee at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas “UNLV” redirects here. For other uses, see UNLV (disambiguation). The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) is a public, coeducational university located in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, known for its programs in History, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Hotel . Students interested in fulfilling the research participation requirement of Psychology 101 indicated their intention to participate on sign-up sheets for what was described as a "health study." After arrival at the testing site, the sexual nature (but not the purpose) of the study was described. Participants were informed that participation was voluntary and could be terminated without penalty at any point during the questionnaire's administration. Groups of approximately 15-25 participants were given a questionnaire packet, which was completed in the presence of a researcher. Students sat at a considerable distance from each other to ensure privacy. Participants were informed that all accumulated data would remain anonymous. Participants placed completed questionnaires into a closed box and were given a participation slip verifying credit earned. RESULTS Cognitive Distraction Women reported more overall cognitive distraction (M = 47.89, SD = 19.80) than did men (M = 43.06, SD = 14.87), t (455) = -2.93, p < .01. To test for gender differences in the content of cognitive distraction, two independent sample t-tests were performed instead of one MANOVA MANOVA Multivariate Analysis of the Variance , because the correlation between the appearance- and performance-based scales was sufficiently high (r = .64) to violate MANOVA assumptions regarding the independence of dependent measures. Considering that a Bonferroni correction In statistics, the Bonferroni correction states that if an experimenter is testing n independent hypotheses on a set of data, then the statistical significance level that should be used for each hypothesis separately is 1/n would lower alpha to .025 (.05/2 = .025), only comparisons at the level of .01 were considered significant. Women reported significantly more appearance-based distraction (M = 24.11, SD = 11.42) than did men (M = 18.72, SD = 7.97), t (455) = -5.81, p < .001. However, men did not report significantly more performance-based distraction (M = 24.33, SD = 8.43) than did women (M = 23.77, SD = 10.10). Paired sample t-tests were conducted to determine within-gender differences between appearance- and performance-based distraction. There was no significant difference found between the two types of distraction in women, t (236) = .60, p < .55. Men, however, endorsed more performance- than appearance-based distraction, t (219) = -12.06, p < .001. Predictors of Cognitive Distraction To investigate the gender-specific contribution of affect, psychological distress, knowledge of sexuality, sexual attitudes, sexual fantasies sexual fantasy Psychology Private mental imagery associated with explicitly erotic feelings, accompanied by physiologic response to sexual arousal. See Sexual desire. , sexual experience, body image, sexual satisfaction, sexual functioning, and relationship status in predicting performance- and appearance -based distraction, we performed separate regression analyses for men and women. We entered relationship status into the regression equation Regression equation An equation that describes the average relationship between a dependent variable and a set of explanatory variables. as a dichotomous di·chot·o·mous adj. 1. Divided or dividing into two parts or classifications. 2. Characterized by dichotomy. di·chot variable denoting whether or not the individual was currently in a relationship (the continuous version of this variable, "relationship length," yielded almost identical results). A Bonferroni correction was applied (.05/4 = .01), and only comparisons with p values of less than .01 were considered significant. All 10 predictors were entered simultaneously into the multiple regression Multiple regression The estimated relationship between a dependent variable and more than one explanatory variable. equation in all four analyses. Women. Table 1 presents the possible range of scores, means, standard deviations In statistics, the average amount a number varies from the average number in a series of numbers. (statistics) standard deviation - (SD) A measure of the range of values in a set of numbers. , and inter-correlations for all of the independent variables and dependent variables (appearance- and performance-based distraction) for the female sample. Table 2 presents the results of two separate multiple regressions of independent variables onto appearance--and performance-based distraction in women. The regression for appearance-based distraction was significant, F (10, 226) = 19.22, p < .001, and accounted for 46% of the variance. However, only psychological distress, body image, and relationship status were unique predictors; psychological distress and negative body image predicted higher levels of appearance-based distraction, as did not being in a relationship. The regression for performance-based distraction was also significant, F (10, 226) = 19.10, p < .001, and accounted for 46% of the variance. However, only psychological distress, body image, and sexual satisfaction were unique predictors; psychological distress and negative body image predicted higher levels and sexual satisfaction predicted lower levels of performance-based distraction. Men. Table 3 presents the possible range of scores, means, standard deviations, and inter-correlations for all of the independent variables and dependent variables (appearance- and performance-based distraction) for the male sample. Table 4 presents the results of two separate multiple regressions of independent variables onto appearance--and performance-based distraction in men. The regression for appearance-based distraction was significant, F (10, 209) = 24.17, p < .001, and accounted for 54% of the variance. However, only body image, sexual satisfaction, and relationship status were unique predictors; negative body image and not being in a relationship predicted higher levels of appearance-based distraction, and sexual satisfaction predicted lower levels of appearance-based distraction. The regression for performance-based distraction was also significant, F(10, 209) = 13.16, p < .001, and accounted for 39% of the variance. However, only body image and sexual satisfaction were unique predictors; negative body image predicted higher levels and sexual satisfaction predicted lower levels of performance based distraction. DISCUSSION The main objectives of this study were to investigate gender differences in the report of cognitive distraction during sex, the content of this distraction, and its association with being. Women in this sample reported higher levels of overall cognitive distraction and appearance-based distraction than did men. However, men did not report more performance-based distraction than did women, as we had predicted. Women reported as much of one type of distraction as the other, also contrary to our prediction. Men did, however, report more performance- than appearance-based cognitive distraction. The strongest predictor for appearance-based distraction in both men and women was negative body image. In women, this predictor was followed by psychological distress and not being in a relationship; in men, by not being in a relationship and by sexual dissatisfaction. In terms of performance-based distraction, psychological distress was the strongest predictor for women, followed by sexual dissatisfaction and negative body image. For men, performance-based distraction was significantly predicted by negative body image and, secondly, by sexual dissatisfaction. Women's higher levels of distractability, as measured in this study, tentatively lend support to the possibility that female sexual arousal may be derailed more easily by both internal and external distractors of a non-sexual nature. This contention is consistent with the implications of some of the research on gender differences in the processing of sexual stimuli (Geer & Manguno-Mire, 1996), but also with a substantial literature suggesting that female sexuality is more contextually-sensitive than male sexuality (Baumeister, 2000). It is also consistent with a large body of evidence supporting a gender difference in strength of sex drive (Baumeister, Catanese, & Vohs, 2001), the argument being that a less powerful drive would be more vulnerable to distraction. Less consistent with extant literature Extant literature refers to texts that have survived from the past to the present time. Extant literature can be divided into extant original manuscripts, copies of original manuscripts, quotations and paraphrases of passages of non-extant texts contained in other works, and theory are the mixed findings on the content of cognitive distraction in this study. Although women reported being more concerned than men about their bodies during sex, they were not more concerned about their bodies than about their performance. The fact that women did not report more of one type of distraction than another is consistent with a Dove and Wiederman (2000) study, which found similar levels of both performance- and appearance-based distraction in their women-only sample. They speculated that women may equate e·quate v. e·quat·ed, e·quat·ing, e·quates v.tr. 1. To make equal or equivalent. 2. To reduce to a standard or an average; equalize. 3. sexual performance with conforming to a socially-sanctioned "sexually attractive Adj. 1. sexually attractive - capable of arousing desire; "the delectable Miss Haynes" delectable desirable - worth having or seeking or achieving; "a desirable job"; "computer with many desirable features"; "a desirable outcome" " norm. The message may be that male arousal is more dependent upon how women look than on what they actually do. Research has suggested (Ellis & Symons, 1990; Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997) that men typically view others as objects of their desire, whereas women commonly view themselves as objects of desire. Perhaps women consider that being good-looking (however that may be culturally-defined) is analogous to "being good at sex." Furthermore, the lack of a gender difference on performance-based distraction also indicates that women may worry as much about performance as do men, however they may define this performance. It could be that when women read an item such as "I am usually worried about my partner's satisfaction with my actions while engaged in sexual activity," they interpret "actions" to mean they way they move and expose their bodies to their partner, while men may read "actions" to denote an actual technique aimed at mechanically inducing arousal. It is impossible to tease tease (tez) to pull apart gently with fine needles to permit microscopic examination. tease v. that apart in this study or with this measure of distraction. A more in-depth investigation of distracting thoughts during sex, possibly of a qualitative nature, might provide some clarity. In our attempt to explore gender-specific predictors of cognitive distraction, psychological distress emerged as a mediator mediator n. a person who conducts mediation. A mediator is usually a lawyer, or retired judge, but can be a non-attorney specialist in the subject matter (like child custody) who tries to bring people and their disputes to early resolution through a conference. of both types of distraction for women in our sample. The link between distress and sexual difficulties is not a finding unique to this study (Bancroft, Loftus, & Long, 2003; Hawton, Gath, & Day, 1994; Laumann et al., 1999). What remains unclear is why this relationship was not present in the men. Males may be more focused on the task at hand, and only when the distraction is related directly to that task (i.e., performance concerns) or is very intense, does it influence the experience. Women, who seem more susceptible to influences from their environment, may also be more attentive at·ten·tive adj. 1. Giving care or attention; watchful: attentive to detail. 2. Marked by or offering devoted and assiduous attention to the pleasure or comfort of others. to their emotional well-being, which may, in turn, distract from their sexual experience. Although we did not expect or find much sexual dysfunction in this sample, we imagined (if not hypothesized) that sexual satisfaction would be significantly associated with distraction in both sexes. Interestingly, however, sexual satisfaction was not a predictor of appearance-based distraction in women, although it was a predictor of performance-based distraction (and of both types of distraction in men). It could be that bodily discontent in women, at least at low levels, is so normative that it does not interfere with what they consider satisfaction in any discernable way. Or, perhaps sexual satisfaction in women is defined more relationally (Tiefer, Hall, & Travis, 2002) and performance-based distraction reflects concerns about the more interactional and relational component of sex. Studies have repeatedly shown a weak relationship between sexual problems and satisfaction in women (Bancroft et al., 2003; Frank, Anderson, & Rubenstein, 1978; Snyder & Berg, 1983). Body image was a predictor of both types of cognitive distraction in men and women. It is hardly surprising that this was the case in terms of the appearance-based distraction, but the relationship was also present for performance-based distraction for both sexes. This finding is consistent with Schiavi, Karstaedt, Schreiner-Engel, and Mandeli (1992), who found that body image and sexual satisfaction emerged as the two most impaired DSFI dimensions in a sexually-dysfunctional group. Perhaps more surprising is the fact that negative body image was an even stronger predictor of sexual distraction in men than it was in women. Clearly, body image is emerging as an issue of importance in the sexual adjustment of men. It is possible that our focus on thinness as the culprit in eating disorders eating disorders, in psychology, disorders in eating patterns that comprise four categories: anorexia nervosa, bulimia, rumination disorder, and pica. Anorexia nervosa is characterized by self-starvation to avoid obesity. and body image concerns for women may have blinded us to the muscularity concerns of men (McCreary & Sasse, 2000). With an increasing societal emphasis on muscularity as the male ideal, it is predictable that men will begin to suffer similar consequences to women as they also start to self-objectify (Cafri & Thompson, 2004). Finally, relationship status was predictive of appearance-based distraction in both men and women. It seems intuitive that body image concerns might be assuaged by a steady partner whose presence may endorse the individual's attractiveness. Concerns about bodily attractiveness would be heightened in unpartnered individuals reporting on sexual episodes from a relationship that ended or on more fleeting encounters that did not result in a steady romantic relationship. When interpreting our findings, some caveats are in order. The first and most important of these relates to our measurement of cognitive distraction. In designing this study, we chose Dove and Wiederman's (2000) cognitive distraction measure, as it was the only available instrument investigating the content of cognitive distraction during sex, albeit with limited psychometric psy·cho·met·rics n. (used with a sing. verb) The branch of psychology that deals with the design, administration, and interpretation of quantitative tests for the measurement of psychological variables such as intelligence, aptitude, and data. In adding to the data on this measure's psychometric properties, we have developed some concerns. The 10 items relating to relating to relate prep → concernant relating to relate prep → bezüglich +gen, mit Bezug auf +acc appearance-based distraction resemble each other so closely as to raise the possibility that most are re-wordings of a single, repeated item about overall body self-consciousness. The performance-based distraction items are also quite similar to each other, although to a lesser extent. However, even if the appearance and performance scales are functioning as single item measures of cognitive distraction, they seem to be doing that well enough to correlate with sexuality-related measures as one would expect. The results in this study confirm much of what theory and extant ex·tant adj. 1. Still in existence; not destroyed, lost, or extinct: extant manuscripts. 2. Archaic Standing out; projecting. empirical research Noun 1. empirical research - an empirical search for knowledge inquiry, research, enquiry - a search for knowledge; "their pottery deserves more research than it has received" might predict about the relationship of cognitive distraction to sexual experience. Furthermore, the measure's reliance on retrospective self-report is clearly limited. A superior methodology might be to ask individuals about one sexual episode in particular, rather than to have them estimate modifiers such as "usually," which individuals can interpret differently. Further research into this question would be well-advised to engage in both qualitative and sampling methodologies to address both interpretative in·ter·pre·ta·tive adj. Variant of interpretive. in·ter  pre·ta and recall concerns, as well as to provide data for the
construction of a more nuanced cognitive distraction measure.We also utilized a convenience sample of mostly college freshmen and, therefore, results may not generalize generalize /gen·er·al·ize/ (-iz) 1. to spread throughout the body, as when local disease becomes systemic. 2. to form a general principle; to reason inductively. to the broader population. The relatively low levels of both distraction and sexual problems reported by our sample speak to their youth, health, and sexual inexperience Inexperience See also Innocence, Naïveté. Bowes, Major Edward (1874–1946) originator and master of ceremonies of the Amateur Hour on radio. [Am. . Older samples, as well as men and women who are clinically diagnosed with sexual dysfunction, may be experiencing appearance- and performance-based distraction at much higher levels than a relatively healthy college population. Distraction in an older sample may also be related to different factors than it is in college students. Attempts to understand the potential sources of distraction during sex may be fruitful in the refinement of cognitive-behavioral treatment for sexual problems. Both appearance concerns and performance demands appear to be on the minds of men and women when they have sex Current performance-focused therapy techniques and sensate sen·sate or sen·sat·ed adj. 1. Perceived by a sense or the senses. 2. Having physical sensation. focus may not account for the role of a detrimental type of self-focus (Wiederman, 2001). Some researchers have called for treatment to encompass a cognitive component (e.g., Sbrocco & Barlow, 1996), rather than to focus solely on the traditional belief that anxiety reduction (i.e., performance-concern reduction) is central to all sexual dysfunction. Changing negative beliefs about sexuality and one's own desirability may be more relevant to some individuals. REFERENCES Abrahamson, D. J., Barlow, D. H., & Abrahamson, L. S. (1989). Differential effects of performance demand and distraction on sexually functional and dysfunctional males. Journal of Abnormal Psychology Journal of Abnormal Psychology is a scientific journal published by the American Psychological Association. It has previously been entitled Journal of Abnormal & Social Psychology • , 98 (3), 241-247. Abrahamson, D. J., Barlow, D. H., Sakheim, D. K., Beck, J. G., & Athanasiou, R. (1985). Effects of distraction on sexual responding in functional and dysfunctional men. Behavior Therapy behavior therapy or behavior modification, in psychology, treatment of human behavioral disorders through the reinforcement of acceptable behavior and suppression of undesirable behavior. , 16, 503-515. Adams, A. E., Haynes, S. N., & Brayer, M. A. (1985). Cognitive distraction in female sexual arousal. Psychophysiology psychophysiology /psy·cho·phys·i·ol·o·gy/ (-fiz?e-ol´ah-je) physiologic psychology. psy·cho·phys·i·ol·o·gy n. The study of correlations between the mind, behavior, and bodily mechanisms. , 22 (6), 689-696. Bancroft, M. D., Loftus, J., & Long, J. S. (2003). Distress about sex: A national survey of women in heterosexual relationships. Archives of Sexual Behavior Archives of Sexual Behavior is an academic sexology journal and the official publication of the International Academy of Sex Research. Contributions consist of empirical research (both quantitative and qualitative), theoretical reviews and essays, clinical case , 32 (3), 193-208. Basson, R. (2000). The female sexual response: A different model. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 26, 51-65. Baumeister, R. F. (2000). Gender differences in erotic plasticity: The female sex drive as socially flexible and responsive. Psychological Bulletin, 126 (3), 347-374. Baumeister, R. F., Catenese, K. R., & Vohs, K. D. (2001). Is there a gender difference in strength of sex drive? Theoretical views, conceptual distinctions, and a review of relevant evidence. Personality and Social Psychology Review Personality and Social Psychology Review is a journal published by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP). It publishes review and meta analytic articles on subjects like social cognition, attitudes, group processes, social influence, intergroup relations, self , 5 (3), 242-274. Beck, J. G., & Barlow, D. H. (1986a). The effects of anxiety and attentional focus on sexual responding--I. Physiological patterns in erectile dysfunction Erectile Dysfunction Definition Erectile dysfunction (ED), formerly known as impotence, is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection long enough to engage in sexual intercourse. . Behavior Research and Therapy, 24 (1), 9-17. Beck, J. G., & Barlow, D. H. (1986b). The effects of anxiety and attentional focus on sexual responding--II. Cognitive and affective affective /af·fec·tive/ (ah-fek´tiv) pertaining to affect. af·fec·tive adj. 1. Concerned with or arousing feelings or emotions; emotional. 2. patterns in erectile dysfunction. Behavior Research and Therapy, 24 (1), 19-26. Cafri, G., & Thompson, J. K. (2004). Measuring male body image: A review of the current methodology. Psychology of Men and Masculinity masculinity /mas·cu·lin·i·ty/ (mas?ku-lin´i-te) virility; the possession of masculine qualities. mas·cu·lin·i·ty n. 1. The quality or condition of being masculine. 2. , 5 (1), 18-29. Chick, D., & Gold, S. (1987-1988). A review of influences on sexual fantasy: Attitudes, experience, guilt, and gender. Imagination, Cognition cognition Act or process of knowing. Cognition includes every mental process that may be described as an experience of knowing (including perceiving, recognizing, conceiving, and reasoning), as distinguished from an experience of feeling or of willing. , and Personality, 7, 61-76. Cranston-Cuebas, M. A., & Barlow, D. H. (1990). Cognitive and affective contributions to sexual functioning. Annual Review of Sex Research, 1, 119-161. Creti, L., Fichten, C. S., Amsel, R., Brender, W. Schover, L. R., Kalegoropoulos, D., et al. (1998). Global sexual functioning: A single summary score for Nowinski and LoPiccolo's Sexual History Form. In C. Davis, W. Yarber, R. Bauserman, G. Schreer, & S. Davis (Eds.), Handbook of sexuality-related measures (pp. 261-263). Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. , CA: Sage Publications This article or section needs sources or references that appear in reliable, third-party publications. Alone, primary sources and sources affiliated with the subject of this article are not sufficient for an accurate encyclopedia article. , Inc. Derogatis, L. (1975). Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory (DSFI): Preliminary Scoring Manual. Baltimore: Clinical Psychometric Research. Derogatis, L., & Melisaratos, N. (1979). The DSFI: A multidimensional mul·ti·di·men·sion·al adj. Of, relating to, or having several dimensions. mul  ti·di·men measure of sexual functioning. Journal of Sex and
Marital Therapy, 5, 244-248.Dove, N. L., & Wiederman, M. W. (2000). Cognitive distraction and women's sexual functioning. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 26, 67-78. Elliott, A. N., & O'Donohue, W. T. (1997). The effects of anxiety and distraction on arousal in a nonclinical sample of heterosexual women. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 26, (6), 607-624. Ellis, B., & Symons, D. (1990). Sex differences in sexual fantasy: An evolutionary psychological approach. The Journal of Sex Research, 27 (4), 527-555. Faith, M. S., & Schare, M. L. (1993). The role of body image in sexually avoidant behavior. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 22 (4), 345-356. Farkas, G. M., Sine, L. F., & Evans, I. M. (1979). The effects of distraction, performance demand, stimulus explicitness and personality on objective and subjective measures of male sexual arousal. Behavior Research and Therapy, 17, 25-32. Frank, E., Anderson, B., & Rubenstein, D. (1978). Frequency of sexual dysfunction in "normal" couples. New England Journal of Medicine The New England Journal of Medicine (New Engl J Med or NEJM) is an English-language peer-reviewed medical journal published by the Massachusetts Medical Society. It is one of the most popular and widely-read peer-reviewed general medical journals in the world. , 299, 111-115. Fredfickson, B., & Roberts, T. (1997). Objectification theory. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 21, 173-206. Geer, J. H., & Fuhr, R. (1976). Cognitive factors Noun 1. cognitive factor - something immaterial (as a circumstance or influence) that contributes to producing a result cognition, knowledge, noesis - the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning in sexual arousal: The role of distraction. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology The Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (JCCP) is a bimonthly psychology journal of the American Psychological Association. Its focus is on treatment and prevention in all areas of clinical and clinical-health psychology and especially on topics that appeal to a broad , 44 (2), 238-243. Geer, J. H., & Manguno-Mire, G. (1996). Gender differences in cognitive processes Cognitive processes Thought processes (i.e., reasoning, perception, judgment, memory). Mentioned in: Psychosocial Disorders in sexuality. Annual Review of Sex Research, 7, 90-125. Gold, S., & Gold, R. (1991). Gender differences in first sexual fantasies. Journal of Sex Education & Therapy, 17 (3), 207-216. Hawton, K., Gath, D., & Day, A. (1994). Sexual function in a community of middle-aged women with partners: Effects of age, marital, socioeconomic so·ci·o·ec·o·nom·ic adj. Of or involving both social and economic factors. socioeconomic Adjective of or involving economic and social factors Adj. 1. , psychiatric psy·chi·at·ric adj. Of or relating to psychiatry. psychiatric adjective Pertaining to psychiatry, mental disorders , gynecological gynecological /gy·ne·co·log·i·cal/ (-kah-loj´i-k'l) gynecologic. and menopausal men·o·pause n. The period marked by the natural and permanent cessation of menstruation, occurring usually between the ages of 45 and 55. [New Latin m factors. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 23, 375-395. Heiman, J. R., & Rowland, D. L. (1983). Affective and physiological sexual response patterns: The effects of instructions on sexually functional and dysfunctional men. Journal of Psychosomatic psychosomatic /psy·cho·so·mat·ic/ (-sah-mat´ik) pertaining to the mind-body relationship; having bodily symptoms of psychic, emotional, or mental origin. psy·cho·so·mat·ic adj. 1. Research, 27 (2), 105-116. Howell, J. R., Reynolds, C. F., Thase, M. E., Frank, E., Jennings, J. R., Houck, P. R., et al. (1987). Assessment of sexual function, interest, and activity in depressed men. Journal of Affective Disorders Affective disorders A group of psychiatric conditions, also known as mood disorders, characterized by disturbances of affect, emotion, thinking, and behavior. . 13, 61-66. Lange, J. D., Wincze, J. P., Zwick, W., Feldman, S., & Hughes, K. (1981). Effects for performance, self-monitoring of arousal, and increased sympathetic nervous system activity on male erectile erectile /erec·tile/ (e-rek´til) capable of erection. e·rec·tile adj. 1. Of or relating to tissue capable of filling with blood and becoming rigid. 2. response. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 10 (5), 443-464. Laumann, E., Paik, A., & Rosen, R. (1999). Sexual dysfunction in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. : Prevalence and predictors. Journal of the American Medical Association JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association is an international peer-reviewed general medical journal, published 48 times per year by the American Medical Association. JAMA is the most widely circulated medical journal in the world. , 6, 537-544. Little, C. A., & Byers, E. S. (2000). Differences between positive and negative sexual cognitions. Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality This article is about human sexual perceptions. For information about sexual activities and practices, see Human sexual behavior. Generally speaking, human sexuality is how people experience and express themselves as sexual beings. , 9 (3), 167-180. Mah, K., & Binik, Y. M. (2001). The nature of human orgasm: A critical review of major trends. Clinical Psychology Review, 21 (6), 823-856. Masters, W. H., & Johnson, V. E. (1966). Human Sexual Response. Oxford, England: Little, Brown. McCreary, D. R., & Sasse, D. K. (2000). An exploration of the drive for muscularity in adolescent boys and girls boys and girls mercurialisannua. . Journal of American College American College is the name of:
Przybyla, D. P. J., & Byrne. D. (1984). The mediating role of cognitive processes in self-reported sexual arousal. Journal of Research in Personality, 18, 54-63. Renaud, C. A., & Byers, E. S. (2001). Positive and negative sexual cognitions: Subjective experience and relationships to sexual adjustment. The Journal of Sex Research, 38 (3), 252-262. Roberts, T. A., & Gettman, J. Y. (2004). Mere exposure: Gender differences in the negative effects of priming a state of self-objectification. Sex Roles, 51 (1/2), 17-27. Rosegrant, J. (1986). Contributions to psychohistory psy·cho·his·to·ry n. pl. psy·cho·his·to·ries A psychological or psychoanalytic interpretation or study of historical events or persons: the psychohistory of the Nazi era. : Fetish fetish (fĕt`ĭsh), inanimate object believed to possess some magical power. The fetish may be a natural thing, such as a stone, a feather, a shell, or the claw of an animal, or it may be artificial, such as carvings in wood. symbols in playboy centerfolds Playboy centerfold nubile woman exhibited au naturel in centerfold of every issue. [Am. Magazines: Playboy] See : Nudity . Psychological Reports, 59, 623-631. Sbrocco, T., & Barlow, D. (1996). Conceptualizing the cognitive component of sexual arousal: Implications for sexuality research and treatment. In Salkovskis, P. (Ed.) Frontiers of Cognitive Therapy cognitive therapy n. Any of a variety of techniques in psychotherapy that utilize guided self-discovery, imaging, self-instruction, and related forms of elicited cognitions as the principal mode of treatment. (pp. 419449). New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of : Guilford Press. Schiavi, R., Karstaedt, A., Schreiner-Engel, P., & Mandeli, J. (1992). Psychometric characteristics of individuals with sexual dysfunction and their partners. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 18 (3), 219-230. Snyder, D. K., & Berg, P. (1983). Determinants of sexual dissatisfaction in sexually distressed couples. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 12. 237-246. Tiefer, L., Hall, M., & Travis, C. (2002). Beyond dysfunction: A new view of women's sexual problems. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 28. 225-232. Tiggemann, M., & Lynch, J. E. (2001). Body image across the life span in adult women: The role of self-objectification. Developmental Psychology developmental psychology Branch of psychology concerned with changes in cognitive, motivational, psychophysiological, and social functioning that occur throughout the human life span. , 37 (2), 243-253. Trapnell, P. D., Meston, C. M., & Gorzalka, B. B. (1997). Spectatoring and the relationship between body image and sexual experience: Self-focus or self-valence? The Journal of Sex Research, 34 (3), 267-278. Wiederman, M. (2000). Women's body image self-consciousness during physical intimacy “Caress” redirects here. For other uses, see Caress (disambiguation). Physical intimacy is informal proximity and/or touching. It can be enjoyed by itself and/or be an expression with a partner. The Journal of Sex Research, 37 (1), 60-69. Wiederman, M. (2001). "Don't look now
Don't Look Now is an Anglo-Italian thriller, directed by Nicolas Roeg and released in 1973. It is based on a short story by Daphne du Maurier. ": The role of self-focus in sexual dysfunction. Family Journal--Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 9 (2), 210-214. Winick, C. (1985). A content analysis of sexually explicit magazines sold in an adult bookstore. The Journal of Sex Research, 21 (2), 206-210. Manuscript accepted September 2, 2005 Address correspondence to Marta Meana, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 Maryland Parkway, Box 455030, Las Vegas Las Vegas (läs vā`gəs), city (1990 pop. 258,295), seat of Clark co., S Nev.; inc. 1911. It is the largest city in Nevada and the center of one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the United States. , Nevada, 89154-5030; e-mail: meana@unlv.nevada.edu. Marta Meana and Sarah E. Nunnink University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Table 1. Means, Standard Deviations, and Inter-Correlations of
Sexuality-Related Measures and Two Types of Cognitive Distraction
(Appearance/Performance) for the Female Sample
Measure
(Range) M SD 1 2 3
1. Appearance 24.11 11.40
Distraction
(10-60)
2. Performance 23.78 10.10 .69 *
Distraction
(10-60)
3. Positive Affect 1.45 1.01 -.34 * -.44
(-4 - +4)
4. Psychological .82 .62 .41 * .52 * -.64
Distress (0-4)
5. Knowledge 18.98 2.95 -.12 -.15 .05
(0-26)
6. Liberal Attitudes 18.17 14.30 -.13 -.14 .08
(-60-+60)
7. Fantasies 5.97 3.73 .10 .10 -.14
(0-20)
8. Experiences 19.93 3.44 -.14 -.17 .04
(0-24)
9. Negative Body 21.20 9.09 .58 * .43 * -.42 *
Image (0-60)
1O. Satisfaction 7.75 2.04 -.32 * -.50 * .33 *
(0-10)
11. Dysfunction .45 .12 .15 .22 .06
(>0-1)
Measure
(Range) 4 5 6 7 8
1. Appearance
Distraction
(10-60)
2. Performance
Distraction
(10-60)
3. Positive Affect
(-4 - +4)
4. Psychological
Distress (0-4)
5. Knowledge -.17
(0-26)
6. Liberal Attitudes -.05 .36 *
(-60-+60)
7. Fantasies .21 .28 * .39 *
(0-20)
8. Experiences -.06 .27 * .36 * .33 *
(0-24)
9. Negative Body .31 * -.04 -.11 -.02 -.13
Image (0-60)
1O. Satisfaction -.35 * .16 .16 -.11 .15
(0-10)
11. Dysfunction .05 -.18 -.32 * -.35 * -.36 *
(>0-1)
Measure
(Range) 9 10 11
1. Appearance
Distraction
(10-60)
2. Performance
Distraction
(10-60)
3. Positive Affect
(-4 - +4)
4. Psychological
Distress (0-4)
5. Knowledge
(0-26)
6. Liberal Attitudes
(-60-+60)
7. Fantasies
(0-20)
8. Experiences
(0-24)
9. Negative Body
Image (0-60)
1O. Satisfaction -.23 *
(0-10)
11. Dysfunction -.19 -.31 *
(>0-1)
* p < .001 in accordance with a Bonferroni correction of .05/11.
Table 2. Regression Analyses Summary for
Sexuality-Related Variables Predicting Appearance- and
Performance-Based Distraction in Women
Appearance Performance
Distraction Distraction
Variable B SEB b B SEB b
Positive
Affect .91 .77 .08 -.41 .68 -.04
Psychological
Distress 3.90 1.24 .21 * 4.59 1.10 .28 *
Sexual
Knowledge -.16 .21 -.04 -.01 .19 -.02
Liberal
Attitudes .00 .05 -.04 .00 .04 -.02
Fantasies .33 .19 .11 .17 .17 .06
Experiences -.01 .19 -.02 -.14 .17 -.05
Negative Body
Image .62 .07 .50 * .26 .06 .24 *
Sexual
Satisfaction -.43 .32 -.08 -1.31 .29 -.26 *
Sexual
Dysfunction 4.54 5.72 .05 6.54 5.07 .08
Relationship
Status -4.22 1.24 -.18 * -1.85 1.01 -.09
Note. Appearance Distraction [R.sup.2] = .46 (N = 236, p <.001),
Performance Distraction [R.sup.2] = .46 (N = 236, p <.001).
* p < .01
Table 3. Means, Standard Deviations, and Inter-Correlations of
Sexuality-Related Measures and Two Types of Cognitive Distraction
(Appearance/Performance) for the Male Sample
Measure
(Range) M SD 1 2 3
1. Appearance 18.72 7.97
Distraction
(10-60)
2. Performance 24.34 8.43 .65 *
Distraction
(10-60)
3. Positive Affect 1.49 1.06 -.38 * -.34 *
(-4-+4)
4. Psychological .75 .63 .32 * .29 * -.66 *
Distress (0-4)
5. Knowledge 18.63 2.83 -.14 .03 -.09
(0-26)
6. Liberal Attitudes 20.99 13.99 -.18 -.13 .13
(-60-+60)
7. Fantasies 6.90 3.26 .10 .17 -.06
(0-20)
8. Experiences 19.93 3.44 -.21 -.13 .10
(0-24)
9. Negative Body 20.32 3.65 .65 * .51 * -.44 *
Image (0-60)
10. Satisfaction 7.69 1.69 -.50 * -.45 * .32 *
(0-10)
11. Dysfunction .33 .08 .08 .01 -.08
(>0-1)
Measure
(Range) 4 5 6 7 8
1. Appearance
Distraction
(10-60)
2. Performance
Distraction
(10-60)
3. Positive Affect
(-4-+4)
4. Psychological
Distress (0-4)
5. Knowledge -.15
(0-26)
6. Liberal Attitudes -.17 .42 *
(-60-+60)
7. Fantasies .02 .21 .31
(0-20)
8. Experiences -.23 * .16 .23 * .22
(0-24)
9. Negative Body .36 * -.09 -.15 .05 -.27 *
Image (0-60)
10. Satisfaction -.37 * .17 .13 -.09 .20
(0-10)
11. Dysfunction .12 -.27 * -.38 * -.20 -.21
(>0-1)
Measure
(Range) 9 10 11
1. Appearance
Distraction
(10-60)
2. Performance
Distraction
(10-60)
3. Positive Affect
(-4-+4)
4. Psychological
Distress (0-4)
5. Knowledge
(0-26)
6. Liberal Attitudes
(-60-+60)
7. Fantasies
(0-20)
8. Experiences
(0-24)
9. Negative Body
Image (0-60)
10. Satisfaction -.45 *
(0-10)
11. Dysfunction .01 -.21
(>0-1)
* p < .001 in accordance with a Bonferroni correction of .05/11.
Table 4. Regression Analyses Summary for Sexuality-Related
Variables Predicting Appearance- and Performance-Based
Distraction in Men
Appearance Performance
Distraction Distraction
Variable B SEB b B SEB b
Positive
Affect -.41 .50 -.05 -.53 .61 -.07
Psychological
Distress .00 .83 .00 .35 1.01 .03
Sexual
Knowledge .00 .15 .01 .45 .19 .15
Liberal
Attitudes -.01 .03 -.10 -.10 .04 -.17
Fantasies .13 .13 .06 .28 .15 .11
Experiences .00 .12 .02 .01 .14 .03
Negative
Body Image .47 .05 .52 * .33 .06 .35 *
Sexual
Satisfaction -.92 .27 -.20 * -1.25 .33 -.25 *
Sexual
Dysfunction -4.03 5.38 -.04 -11.02 6.55 -.10
Relationship
Status -3.44 .82 -.21 -2.28 .99 -.13
Note. Appearance Distraction [R.sup.2] = .54 (N = 219, p < .001),
Performance Distraction [R.sup.2] = .39 (N = 219, p < .001).
* p < .01
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion