These summaries of selected research projects give you a glimpse into what our Kinsey Institute researchers are working on today. You can find more information on these projects, and information on all our ongoing research on our Current Research page >>

Historically, researchers have focused on the impact of negative emotion, like performance anxiety, on sexual functioning and problems. This assumes that if there is no negative emotion, than the climate is right and sexual response will occur.

A study by Kinsey Institute researchers Zoe Peterson and Erick Janssen shows that though positive mood is predictive of sexual desire and arousal, a combination of positive and negative emotional states can also coexist during sexual response. It was the absence of emotion, or indifference, that was most strongly associated with lower sexual arousal and response. Erick Janssen explains that not feeling anything is like emotional avoidance, which may be relevant to sexual dysfunction. “For sexual response to occur, it’s important to have some emotional reaction.”

“This study suggests that a combination of emotions may have a distinct impact on sexual functioning and response,” adds Dr. Peterson. “The next step might be to look at how specific combinations of negative and positive emotions, like anxiety or depression and serenity and enthusiasm, might influence sexual functioning and response.”

Peterson, Z.D., & Janssen, E. (2007).Ambivalent affect and sexual response: The impact of co-occurring positive and negative emotions on subjective and physiological responses to erotic stimuli. Archives of Sexual Behavior 36(6) 793-807.

See also:

Mood, Arousal and Risk-Taking >>

Relationship Between Mood and Sexuality >>

Hetereosexual Men's Sexual Decision-Making >>