Dataset Information

Men's perceptions of women's sexual interest: Effects of environmental context, sexual attitudes, and women's characteristics.

ABSTRACT: Men's perceptions of women's sexual interest were studied in a sample of 250 male undergraduates, who rated 173 full-body photos of women differing in expressed cues of sexual interest, attractiveness, provocativeness of dress, and the social-environmental context into which the woman's photo had been embedded. Environmental context significantly influenced men's judgments of sexual interest, independently of the affective cues of sexual interest themselves and of provocativeness of dress and attractiveness. Cue usage was moderated by men's risk for sexual aggression, as measured by a rape-myth inventory, with higher-risk men (relative to lower-risk men) relying significantly less on affective cues, relying significantly more on attractiveness, and showing a non-significant tendency to rely more on environmental cues. Men exhibited a moderate degree of insight into individual differences in their cue usage. Analysis of individual differences in cue usage suggested that men's judgments of women's momentary sexual interest varied along two dimensions: (1) men who relied more on affective cues were less likely to rely on women's attractiveness (r?=?-0.73); and (2) men who were influenced more by provocativeness of dress were also likely to rely more on environmental context (r?=?0.49). Results suggest that variation in contextual variables should be included in cognitive-training programs designed to improve the accuracy of men's judgments of women's affective responses. Ultimately, such training programs may prove useful as an adjunct to prevention programs for sexual aggression.

SUBMITTER: Treat TA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5256431 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Men's perceptions of women's sexual interest: Effects of environmental context, sexual attitudes, and women's characteristics.

Treat Teresa A TA Hinkel Hannah H Smith Jodi R JR Viken Richard J RJ

Cognitive research: principles and implications 20160922 1

Men's perceptions of women's sexual interest were studied in a sample of 250 male undergraduates, who rated 173 full-body photos of women differing in expressed cues of sexual interest, attractiveness, provocativeness of dress, and the social-environmental context into which the woman's photo had been embedded. Environmental context significantly influenced men's judgments of sexual interest, independently of the affective cues of sexual interest themselves and of provocativeness of dress and at ...[more]

PMID: 28180159

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Project description:The strength and direction of sexual selection via female choice on masculine facial traits in men is a paradox in human mate choice research. While masculinity may communicate benefits to women and offspring directly (i.e. resources) or indirectly (i.e. health), masculine men may be costly as long-term partners owing to lower paternal investment. Mating strategy theory suggests women's preferences for masculine traits are strongest when the costs associated with masculinity are reduced. This study takes a multivariate approach to testing whether women's mate preferences are context-dependent. Women (n = 919) rated attractiveness when considering long-term and short-term relationships for male faces varying in beardedness (clean-shaven and full beards) and facial masculinity (30% and 60% feminized, unmanipulated, 30% and 60% masculinized). Participants then completed scales measuring pathogen, sexual and moral disgust, disgust towards ectoparasites, reproductive ambition, self-perceived mate value and the facial hair in partners and fathers. In contrast to past research, we found no associations between pathogen disgust, self-perceived mate value or reproductive ambition and facial masculinity preferences. However, we found a significant positive association between moral disgust and preferences for masculine faces and bearded faces. Preferences for beards were lower among women with higher ectoparasite disgust, providing evidence for ectoparasite avoidance hypothesis. However, women reporting higher pathogen disgust gave higher attractiveness ratings for bearded faces than women reporting lower pathogen disgust, providing support for parasite-stress theories of sexual selection and mate choice. Preferences for beards were also highest among single and married women with the strongest reproductive ambition. Overall, our results reflect mixed associations between individual differences in mating strategies and women's mate preferences for masculine facial traits.

Project description:Study questionWhat is the impact of co-designed, evidence-based information regarding the anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) test on women's interest in having the test?Summary answerWomen who viewed the evidence-based information about the AMH test had lower interest in having an AMH test than women who viewed information produced by an online company selling the test direct-to-consumers.What is known alreadyOnline information about AMH testing often has unfounded claims about its ability to predict fertility and conception, and evidence suggests that women seek out and are recommended the AMH test as a measure of their fertility potential.Study design, size, durationAn online randomized trial was conducted from November to December 2022. Women were randomized (double-blind, equal allocation) to view one of two types of information: co-designed, evidence-based information about the AMH test (intervention), or existing information about the AMH test from a website which markets the test direct-to-consumers (control). A total of 967 women were included in the final analysis.Participants/materials, setting, methodsParticipants were women recruited through an online panel, who were aged 25-40 years, living in Australia or The Netherlands, had never given birth, were not currently pregnant but would like to have a child now or in the future, and had never had an AMH test. The primary outcome was interest in having an AMH test (seven-point scale; 1 = definitely NOT interested to 7 = definitely interested). Secondary outcomes included attitudes, knowledge, and psychosocial and behavioural outcomes relating to AMH testing.Main results and the role of chanceWomen who viewed the evidence-based information about the AMH test had lower interest in having an AMH test (MD = 1.05, 95% CI = 0.83-1.30), less positive attitudes towards (MD = 1.29, 95% CI = 4.57-5.70), and higher knowledge about the test than women who viewed the control information (MD = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.71-0.82).Limitations, reasons for cautionThe sample was more highly educated than the broader Australian and Dutch populations and some measures (e.g. influence on family planning) were hypothetical in nature.Wider implications of the findingsWomen have higher knowledge of and lower interest in having the AMH test when given evidence-based information about the test and its limitations. Despite previous studies suggesting women are enthusiastic about AMH testing to learn about their fertility potential, we demonstrate that this enthusiasm does not hold when they are informed about the test's limitations.Study funding/competing interest(s)This project was supported by an NHMRC Emerging Leader Research Fellowship (2009419) and the Australian Health Research Alliance's Women's Health Research, Translation and Impact Network EMCR award. B.W.M. reports consultancy for ObsEva and Merck and travel support from Merck. D.L. is the Medical Director of, and holds stock in, City Fertility NSW and reports consultancy for Organon and honoraria from Ferring, Besins, and Merck. K.H. reports consultancy and travel support from Merck and Organon. K.M. is a director of Health Literacy Solutions that owns a licence of the Sydney Health Literacy Lab Health Literacy Editor. No other relevant disclosures exist.Trial registration numberACTRN12622001136796.Trial registration date17 August 2022.Date of first patient’s enrolment21 November 2022.

Dataset Information

Men's perceptions of women's sexual interest: Effects of environmental context, sexual attitudes, and women's characteristics.

Publications

Men's perceptions of women's sexual interest: Effects of environmental context, sexual attitudes, and women's characteristics.

Similar Datasets

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