An Experiencer, An Animal or An Object? Erection Salience Decreases Men\u2019s Perceived Agency

Katarzyna Malinowska,Paulina Górska,Magdalena Budziszewska,Olga Kuzawińska,Anna Stefaniak,Marta Marchlewska

doi:10.1007/s10508-020-01800-0

Katarzyna Malinowska, Paulina Górska + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-020-01800-0

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Abstract

Three experiments investigated the influence of penile erection on ascriptions of mental capabilities to men. Drawing on sexual objectification literature and the distinction between agency and experience in mind perception, three competing predictions were formulated. The mind redistribution hypothesis assumed that penile erection would lower agency and heighten experience attributions, the animalistic dehumanization hypothesis predicted the decrease in agency, but not experience, and the literal objectification hypothesis implied the simultaneous decrease in both agency and experience. In Experiment 1 (N = 219; 128 females), erection salience lowered agency, but not experience capabilities ascribed to male targets. Experiment 2 (N = 201, 113 females) replicated the negative effect of erection salience on perceived agency (but not experience) and revealed that erection salience lowered intentions to hire a male target. This effect was explained with the loss of perceived agency. Experiment 3 (N = 203, 98 females) verified the causal relationship between penile erection, agency and hiring intentions. Taken together, these results supported the animalistic dehumanization hypothesis.

Highlights

The association between men’s penises and their assumed mental capacities can be found in numerous cultures (Friedman, 2001)
While penis size and erection salience served as betweensubjects factors, mental capacity was treated as a within-subjects factor
To the best of our knowledge, the present research is the first to examine the relation between erection salience and mind perception

Summary

Introduction

The association between men’s penises and their assumed mental capacities can be found in numerous cultures (Friedman, 2001). St Augustine of Hippo (397–426/1996) claimed that men’s sexual arousal suspends their mental activity. The same idea has inhabited folk wisdom: “When the prick stands up, the brain gets buried in the ground,” said the Yiddish proverb (Roth, 1969).

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