Abstract
Sexual behavior is the open manifestation of a complex interplay between psychophysiological mechanisms that either facilitate or inhibit sexual thoughts, desires, and associated behaviors. Whereas sexual excitation has been widely studied, less is known about the impact of inhibitory control mechanisms that enable individuals to refrain from sexual cognition and behavior. The present study examined: (1) the relationship between general and sexual inhibitory mechanisms (as measured through self-reports and computer-based tasks), (2) the relation between sexual inhibitory processes at cognitive and motor-motivational levels and with sexual inhibition as an individual trait, and (3) the predictive value of these parameters on sexual thoughts (cognition) and behavior. We demonstrate that general inhibitory control (i.e., the ability to suppress any preponderant response) and the specific inhibition of sexual responses represent distinct processes that require at least partly different control mechanisms. Similarly, the ability to inhibit sexual visual input and the ability to suppress sexually driven responses seem to be two independent processes. The different inhibitory processes distinctively predicted the frequency of sexual thoughts and sexual behavior. We propose that these different inhibitory mechanisms are at play during different phases of sexual regulation (before and after the generation and unfolding of sexual arousal) and that a specific deficit in one of these processes may underlie the distinctive symptomatology and comorbidity of sexual disorders.
Highlights
Human sexuality is an essential part of our existence and comprises a broad range of aspects, including cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and physiological processes
When an individual is aware of the risk of getting sexually aroused in inappropriate circumstances, he or she might redirect and focus the attention toward non-sexual stimuli or change the appraisal of the situation; but when the sexual arousal has initiated, it may be better suited to use avoidant actions or suppression mechanisms. We propose that these different regulatory processes, occurring at different phases in the regulation of sexual behavior, imply the existence of different inhibitory mechanisms, which in turn differentially overlap with certain aspects of one’s general ability of inhibitory control
The presented evidence supports the notion that sexual inhibition is distinct from one’s general ability of inhibitory control
Summary
Human sexuality is an essential part of our existence and comprises a broad range of aspects, including cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and physiological processes. These processes are modulated by a complex interplay between inhibitory (restrain, cancel, suppress) and excitatory (initiate, execute, promote). In spite of their relevance, sexual inhibitory mechanisms have been scarcely studied. There is evidence showing that both types of inhibition are interrelated. Efficient response inhibition of sexual stimuli was found to be inversely related to general impulsivity (Macapagal, Janssen, Fridberg, Finn, & Heiman, 2011). High self-reported impulsivity was found to be related to a
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
