FACTORS AFFECTING THE SEXUAL AROUSAL VALUE OF PICTURES

This study examines factors that contribute to the sexual arousal value of pictures of a nude model. One male and one female model were photographed separately in an indoor setting. The following dimensions were factorially manipulated across pictures: male or female model, front or back view, standing or reclining position, semi-nude or nude. Male and female subjects viewed slides of these pictures one at a time and rated the degree of sexual arousal value of each picture. Significant main effects of position, view, and clothing resulted, as well as a significant interaction of sex of subject x sex of model x position x clothing. These results suggest that with so many uncontrolled, extraneous factors in this type of research, studies in which global aspects of erotic stimuli are manipulated should be evaluated with caution. More systematic consideration of the micro-variables that change from picture to picture is advisable to evaluate clearly what factors truly contribute to changes in sexual arousal value of erotic pictures. There is a large body of research literature dealing with aspects of erotic pictures. These studies have used erotic stimuli to produce sexual arousal for the purpose of experimental exploration of responsiveness and preferences for sexual stimuli. The relationship of these factors to subject variables such as religion, age, marital status, personality characteristics, and past sexual history has also been widely investigated (Amoroso, Brown, Pruesse, Ware, & Pilkey, 1971; Brady & Levitt, 1965). However, no research has been conducted to systematically isolate factors that contribute to the sexual arousing quality of erotic stimuli. In a replication of the Levitt and Brady (1965) study, Gaughan and Gaynor (1973) had 46 male and female undergraduate students view a set of 19 photographs, used by Levitt and Brady, depicting scenes ranging from nudity to heterosexual and homosexual intercourse and sadomasochism. The subjects, seated alone in an isolated booth, rated the Vera Dunwoody completed this research as an undergraduate at California State College, San Bernardino. She has since received her MA degree from the same institution. Kathy Pezdek, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Psychology at California State College, San Bernardino. © 1979, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.