The influence of emotion on rational decision making in sexual aggression

An experimental design was used to examine the role of emotion on the situational importance of potential costs/benefits and subsequent hypothetical offending decisions. Sexually aroused subjects were hypothesized to focus on the perceived benefits of sexual coercion, while focusing less on the potential costs. To test this hypothesis, subjects were randomly assigned to three conditions. After viewing sexually arousing (or control) stimuli, subjects read a hypothetical 'date' scenario, and then estimated their likelihood of engaging in several sexually coercive tactics. Subjects also listed potential costs/benefits and rated the certainty, severity and 'salience' (i.e., current importance) of each of these consequences. Self-reported sexual arousal was found to increase the likelihood of engaging in sexual coercion and also increased subjects' perceptions of sexual pleasure as a currently important benefit. The hypothesis that perception of consequences mediated the effect of arousal on sexual coercion was partially supported. Theoretical implications for future tests of rational choice theory are discussed.