SEXUAL ORIENTATION, ATTRACTION, BEHAVIOUR AND PLEASURE: IT’S COMPLICATED
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1
Southern Cross University, Psychology, School of Health and Human Sciences, Australia
Aim: The extent to which an individual’s sexual orientation differs from their actual sexual attraction and behaviour predicts a range of negative outcomes. Given that sexuality is central to identity, there is a need for further research on the ways such a disconnect can impact upon an individual’s life. We sought to explore the degree to which self-reported sexual orientation accorded with individuals’ sexual attraction and behaviours and the relationships between these and sexual satisfaction and affectivity.
Method: Participants (N = 577; 63% female; mean age = 31.82) completed the Attraction Questionnaire, sexual behaviour questions, the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale, and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule.
Results: For both females and males, self-reported sexual orientation did not always predict the levels of same-sex (SS) and opposite-sex (OS) attraction and behaviour that one would assume. Of 160 self-identified, male, heterosexuals, 64% reported the assumed low SS and high OS attraction with 18% low on both SS and OS, 14% with high SS and OS attraction, and 4% with high SS attraction and low OS attraction. Of 293 self-identified female heterosexuals, 48% reported the assumed high OS and low SS attraction, 21% had low SS and OS attraction, 24% had high SS and OS attraction and 7% had low OS attraction and high SS attraction. Similar trends were found when comparing homosexual and heterosexual behaviour across all sexual orientations for both males and females. Male heterosexuals with lower OS attraction and behaviour had lower positive affect scores and those with high SS behaviour had higher negative affect scores. Male bisexuals with lower OS behaviour had lower sexual satisfaction scores. Female heterosexuals with lower OS attraction had lower sexual satisfaction and positive affect scores and female bisexuals with lower OS attraction had lower positive affect scores.
Conclusions: Sexual attraction and sexual behaviour are not limited to the patterns expected from self-reported sexual orientation. Deviation from expected patterns was shown to have implications for individuals’ sexual satisfaction and affectivity.
Keywords:
Sexuality,
diversity,
sexual attraction,
sexual orientation,
sexual behaviour,
sexual satisfaction,
affectivity
Conference:
Southern Cross University 14th Annual Honours Psychology Research Conference, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia, 5 Oct - 6 Oct, 2017.
Presentation Type:
Research
Topic:
Psychology
Citation:
Johnstone
S,
Kozlowski
D and
Provost
SC
(2017). SEXUAL ORIENTATION, ATTRACTION, BEHAVIOUR AND PLEASURE: IT’S COMPLICATED.
Front. Psychol.
Conference Abstract:
Southern Cross University 14th Annual Honours Psychology Research Conference.
doi: 10.3389/conf.fpsyg.2017.72.00045
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Received:
25 Sep 2017;
Published Online:
11 Dec 2017.
*
Correspondence:
Dr. Desirée Kozlowski, Southern Cross University, Psychology, School of Health and Human Sciences, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2450, Australia, dak@creativeillusions.com.au
Dr. Stephen C Provost, Southern Cross University, Psychology, School of Health and Human Sciences, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2450, Australia, steve.provost@scu.edu.au