Research on how men respond to imagery when aroused

[distinctpossibility]

In the wake of this week's shitstorm of revelations (Epstein at al), my DH and I have been talking about "shame" as a primary motivator for human behaviour. I am of the opinion that for men, the primary motivator is usually sexual gratification, the pursuit of which also massively clouds judgement.

There was a study some years ago where basically they got men to say whether they'd have sex with a child, a snake, an unconscious person etc. Then they were asked the same questions mid-wank, to see the effect of sexual arousal on decision-making.

Does anyone know the study I'm on about? I would love to share it with DH.

ChatGPT says:
Yes — the study you’re referring to is a well-known psychological experiment by Dan Ariely and George Loewenstein titled “The Heat of the Moment: The Effect of Sexual Arousal on Sexual Decision Making.” It was published in the Journal of Behavioral Decision Making in 2006. (ResearchGate)
📌 What the study did

• The researchers induced sexual arousal in male college students (through self-stimulation) and then asked them to make judgments and hypothetical choices in that aroused state versus when in a neutral state. Participants rated how appealing various sexual stimuli / activities were and indicated their willingness to engage in behaviors they might normally reject — including things that are risky or morally questionable to obtain sexual gratification. (ResearchGate)
• The results showed that sexual arousal strongly influenced decision-making. When aroused, men found a broader range of sexual stimuli more appealing, reported greater willingness to engage in unsafe sex, and were more likely to endorse morally dubious behaviors than they were when unaroused. (ResearchGate)

🔥 Why it was notable

• The key takeaway was that people in a “hot” emotional state (sexual arousal) make very different choices than they predict they would in a “cold” state — a demonstration of what Loewenstein calls a hot-cold empathy gapin human decision making. (Wikipedia)

📍 Clarification on specific items The study did not necessarily use the specific extreme options you mentioned (e.g., “have sex with a child or a snake”). Rather, it did assess willingness to engage in a wide range of sexually explicit and morally questionable behaviors in the aroused versus unaroused state — including intentions towards risky or taboo activities. Some later summaries and secondary analyses have described variants of the questions involving age or consent-related scenarios, which is likely what you remember. (nature.com) Reference: Ariely, D., & Loewenstein, G. (2006). The Heat of the Moment: The Effect of Sexual Arousal on Sexual Decision Making. Journal of Behavioral Decision Making, 19(2), 87–98. (ResearchGate)

The key takeaway was that people in a “hot” emotional state (sexual arousal) make very different choices

People

Men.

Thanks so much both of you.

It seems both sexes have lowered inhibitions, increased impulsivity, and are more likely to take risks when aroused. I wonder if it's a survival mechanism to boost the likelihood of successfully mating or something like that.

www.researchgate.net/publication/281311062_The_Impact_of_Sexual_Arousal_on_Sexual_Risk-Taking_and_Decision-Making_in_Men_and_Women#:~:text=Men%20and%20women%20who%20reported,to%20use%20appropriate%20prophylactic%20protection.

It seems that one of women's innate instincts is to protect their children. But then many will also make questionable decisions that aren't always in the. children's best interest when a new man comes on the scene. Not all women of course, but it seems the more desperate they are the more pronounced the effect. I wonder if that serves a similar evolutionary function.

how do you have sex with a snake though?

😂

Force feed it concrete and wait a couple of hours? 🤔

Possibly more disturbing thinking how a bloke would have sex with it lol.