Freytag, Pauline (2023) The Impact of Anticipating Aversive Stimuli on the Sexual Response in Heterosexual Women: A Differential Conditioning Paradigm. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
This study explores the relationship between pain or disgust and associative learning in the development and persistence of female sexual dysfunction. Motivational priming theory (MPT) is used to explain the cyclical nature of sexual dysfunctions, denoting sexual approach and avoidance behaviours being facilitated by opposing appetitive and defensive motivational systems, respectively. Presumably, the defensive system reduces sexual arousal and response, leading to discomfort or pain (e.g., friction caused by lack of lubrication). This study aims to investigate the impact of anticipating aversive stimulation, specifically pain or disgust, on the sexual response in heterosexual women. Since no data processing has occurred, this thesis will focus on the rationale underlying the methodology. This research employs priming and differential conditioning, utilising a single unconditioned stimulus associated with pain or disgust and two fragments of similar pornographic films as conditioned stimuli. Participants will be deceived to anticipate the aversive stimulus following one pornographic fragment but not the other. However, the unconditioned stimulus will only occur once during the initial priming stage preceding the erotic film presentation. To test our hypotheses, participants’ ratings of stimulus-expectancy and sexual arousal following the experimental manipulation, and their ratings of sexual arousal and disgust towards the erotic films preceding the manipulation will be considered. It is hypothesised that an increase in US expectancy will lead to a decrease in sexual arousal and expect this effect to strengthen across trials. This research precedes a comprehensive conditioning project, which incorporates psychophysiological measurements. Methodological choices, limitations, and future directions are discussed.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Borg, C. and Lakhsassi, L. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | None [Bachelor Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 10 Jul 2023 13:27 |
| Last Modified: | 19 Apr 2024 14:10 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/2289 |
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