title: Implicit and Explicit Associations with Erotic Stimuli in Sexually Functional and Dysfunctional Men.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although conceptual models of sexual functioning have suggested a major role for implicit cognitive processing in sexual functioning, this has thus far, only been investigated in women.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the role of implicit cognition in sexual functioning in men.
  
  
  METHODS
  Men with (N = 29) and without sexual dysfunction (N = 31) were compared.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants performed two single-target implicit association tests (ST-IAT), measuring the implicit association of visual erotic stimuli with attributes representing, respectively, valence ('liking') and motivation ('wanting'). Participants also rated the erotic pictures that were shown in the ST-IAT on the dimensions of valence, attractiveness, and sexual excitement to assess their explicit associations with these erotic stimuli. Participants completed the International Index of Erectile Functioning for a continuous measure of sexual functioning.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Unexpectedly, compared with sexually functional men, sexually dysfunctional men were found to show stronger implicit associations of erotic stimuli with positive valence than with negative valence. Level of sexual functioning, however, was not predicted by explicit nor implicit associations. Level of sexual distress was predicted by explicit valence ratings, with positive ratings predicting higher levels of sexual distress.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Men with and without sexual dysfunction differed significantly with regard to implicit liking. Research recommendations and implications are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Open University of the Netherlands, Heerlen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van Lankveld
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Open University of the Netherlands, Heerlen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Odekerken
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Open University of the Netherlands, Heerlen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Lydia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kok-Verhoeven
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Open University of the Netherlands, Heerlen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: van Hooren
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Atrium Medical Center, Heerlen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: de Vries
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Psychology, Atrium Medical Center, Heerlen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van den Hout
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Open University of the Netherlands, Heerlen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Verboon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D004882:Erotica / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011581:Psychological Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Dual-Process Model; Erectile Dysfunction; Implicit Association Test; Implicit Cognition; Sexual Dysfunction