Natasha Knack, School of Psychology PhD candidate, will speak on

Causal mechanisms underlying the impact of sexual arousal on sexual decision making

Abstract:

Sexual arousal has been associated with increased likelihood of engaging in risky or coercive sexual behaviours. The mechanisms underlying this relationship are not yet understood. My research will explore whether heightened states of sexual arousal are associated with temporary impairments in empathy (i.e., understanding, sharing, and responding to others’ emotions) or theory of mind (specifically perceptions of sexual intent), and if these impairments increase willingness to engage in risky or coercive sexual behaviours. I will also investigate factors that may moderate these effects, including demographics (i.e., age, sex, gender) and trait-levels of empathy and emotion regulation. Embedding these results into the existing literature, I will identify strategies that could potentially be used to mitigate the impact of sexual arousal on sexual decision making and evaluate these strategies in an experimental setting. Ideally, this will help to inform future research that could ultimately contribute to the prevention of problematic sexual behaviours.

Supervisors:  Associate Professor Hedwig Eisenbarth and Dr. Anne Macaskill

Contact Nelie Napadao at nelie.napadao@vuw.ac.nz to get the Zoom link.