The emotion-sexual attraction link
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EVIDENCE FOR AN EMOTION- SEXUAL ATTRACTION LINK The experimental design and operationalization of the Dutton & Aron (1974) study Nadine Bol Mark Boukes 12-02-2010 Experimentation
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A presentation about the study of Dutton and Aron (1974) where they studied if "an attractive female is seen as more attractive by males who encounter her while they experience a strong emotion (fear) than by males not experiencing a strong emotion” (p. 511) Dutton, D. G., & Aron, A. P. (1974). Some evidence for heightened sexual attraction under conditions of high anxiety. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 30(4), 510-517.
Transcript of The emotion-sexual attraction link
EVIDENCE FOR AN EMOTION-SEXUAL ATTRACTION LINKThe experimental design and operationalization of the Dutton & Aron (1974) study
Nadine BolMark Boukes12-02-2010
Experimentation
CONTENT
Aim of Dutton & Aron’s studies Experimental designs and operationalization Conclusion
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AIM OF DUTTON & ARON’S STUDIES
To test the “notion that an attractive female is seen as more attractive by males who encounter her while they experience a strong emotion (fear) than by males not experiencing a strong emotion” (p. 511)
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EXPERIMENT 1 Subjects: males 18-35yr, unaccompanied by a
female
X = Anxiety, operationalized by Capilano Canyon Suspension Bridge (X1) or “control” bridge
(X2)
Y = Sex of interviewer Female (Y1) or male (Y2)
O = Sexual attraction TAT, telephone calls
C = Manipulation check Fearfulness of bridge check (questionnaire and observation) No arousal check (suspicion)
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Factor X
X1 X2
Factor Y: Y1 Group 1 Group 2
Y2 Group 3 Group 4
Group 1: X1 Y1 O CGroup 2: X2 Y1 O CGroup 3: X1 Y2 O CGroup 4: X2 Y2 O C
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RESULTS EXPERIMENT 1: TWO BRIDGES Sexual imagery scores
Behavioral data (telephone calls)
The experimental condition (Group 1) had a significant higher score on both dependent variables
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Factor X
X1 X2
Factor Y: Y1 2.47 1.41
Y2 0.80 0.61
Factor X
X1 X2
Factor Y: Y1 16/23 2/22
Y2 2/23 1/22
HOWEVER…
Subjects were not randomly assigned to one of the conditions
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EXPERIMENT 2: ONE BRIDGE Subjects: males 18-35yr, unaccompanied by a
female
X = Anxiety, operationalized by Crossing the bridge (X1) or crossed the bridge 10min ago
(X2)
Y = Sex of interviewer Female (Y1)
O = Sexual attraction TAT, telephone calls
C = Manipulation check Was not necessary
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Factor X
X1 X2
Factor Y1: Group 1 Group 2
Group 1: X1 Y1 O CGroup 2: X2 Y1 O C
RESULTS EXPERIMENT 2
Sexual imagery scores
Behavioral data (telephone calls)
The experimental condition (Group 1) had a significant higher score on both dependent variables
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Factor X
X1 X2
Factor Y1: 2.99 1.92
Factor X
X1 X2
Factor Y1: 13/25 7/23
HOWEVER…
There could not be controlled for nonverbal communication of interviewer (lady in distress effect).
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EXPERIMENT 3: ELECTRIC SHOCKS Subjects: males 18-35yr, unaccompanied by a
female
X = Anxiety, operationalized by Expect to receive a strong shock (X1) receiving a weak
shock(X2)
Y = Expect to receive shock confederate female Strong (Y1) or weak (Y2)
O = Sexual attraction Questionnaire, TAT
C = Manipulation check Anxiety check (questionnaire)
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Factor X
X1 X2
Factor Y: Y1 Group 1 Group 2
Y2 Group 3 Group 4
Group 1: X1 Y1 O CGroup 2: X2 Y1 O CGroup 3: X1 Y2 O CGroup 4: X2 Y2 O C
RESULTS EXPERIMENT 3 Attraction ratings
Sexual imagery scores
Strong shocks lead to higher attraction ratings. Sexual imagery scores were higher when the subject received a strong shock but only when the female confederate also received a strong shock
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Factor X
X1 X2
Factor Y: Y1 3.7 2.9
Y2 3.4 2.7
Factor X
X1 X2
Factor Y: Y1 2.27 1.52
Y2 2.19 1.69
CONCLUSION
Support for an emotion-sexual attraction link was found
The emotion fear can lead to sexual attration
Not generalizable
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Dutton, D. G., & Aron, A. P. (1974). Some evidence for heightened sexual attraction under conditions of high anxiety. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 30(4), 510-517.
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