Such a Tease: Intentional Sexual Provocation within Heterosexual Interactions

Abstract

Sexual teasing is a form of provocation characterized by the promise of sexual contact followed by withdrawal. The intention is to frustrate or cause tension in the target and incorporates some use of power of one person over another. To date, this form of interaction between individuals has received little research attention. A total of 742 undergraduate university students (143 men, 599 women) provided reports regarding whether they had ever engaged in sexual teasing and, for those who had, the motives behind this behavior, the type of relationship and sexual history with the target, and the reactions and outcomes associated with these interactions. Sexual teasing was relatively common among both women and men, although women were significantly more likely to report having engaged in sexual teasing at least once in the past. The outcomes associated with their interactions were perceived to be more positive for participants (elicitors) than for their targets, although relatively few participants reported more adverse outcomes from the use of sexual teasing. Discussion focused on the need to better characterize forms of communication regarding sexual intentions and consent. The findings may have implications for efforts to improve models of communication and negotiation in sexual interactions.

The influence of masculinity scripts on heterosexual Hispanic college men’s perceptions of female-initiated sexual coercion.

“…In these scenarios, his rejection is seen as helping her to avoid ridicule from others for her sexual aggressiveness. This supports prior research showing that even when encouraged to engage in consensual sexual activity, women are at a greater risk for negative social consequences when compared to men (Meston & O’Sullivan, 2007; Muehlenhard & MacNaughton, 1988; Randle & Graham, 2011).…”

“…According to male sexual scripts, a man must succumb to seduction because his innate desire for sex has been “naturally turned on” (Cowan, 2000; Weiss, 2009). This is congruent with research showing that both men and women report a female victim of rape or harassment is to blame if she “provoked” his biological drive through sexual temptation or signaling (Forbes & Adams-Curtis, 2001; Meston & O’Sullivan, 2007). This perception of seduction is concerning as sexual teasing is considered a common form of sexual communication among both women and men in college (Aronson et al, 2007; Meston & O’Sullivan, 2007).…”

“…This is congruent with research showing that both men and women report a female victim of rape or harassment is to blame if she “provoked” his biological drive through sexual temptation or signaling (Forbes & Adams-Curtis, 2001; Meston & O’Sullivan, 2007). This perception of seduction is concerning as sexual teasing is considered a common form of sexual communication among both women and men in college (Aronson et al, 2007; Meston & O’Sullivan, 2007). However, its impact on well-being is dependent upon multiple factors including the recipients’ relationship to the perpetrator, the perceived intent of the teasing, the context in which it occurs, and the victims’ prior experience (see Aronson et al, 2007).…”

Ethnic, Gender, and Acculturation Influences on Sexual Behaviors

“…Participants completed a demographics questionnaire, a sexual attitudes questionnaire, an acculturation questionnaire, as well as a number of other sexually relevant measures not reported here (see Ahrold & Meston, 2008; Meston & Buss, 2007; Meston & O’Sullivan, 2007). For procedural details, please see Ahrold and Meston (2008).…”

El rol de las representaciones corporales mediáticas en la esfera sexual de personas de ideología feminista

“…Las vivencias de las consultadas hablan del castigo social que reciben las mujeres si salen de los patrones instaurados. Se trata de un castigo que, podemos concluir, es más severo en el caso de las mujeres, precisamente a causa de la doble moral sexual que establece la división entre mujeres buenas y malas (y su correlato de mujeres puras y putas), que rechaza comportamientos sexuales en las mujeres que en los hombres glorifica, como el tener múltiples relaciones sexuales con distintas personas o ser sexualmente activa y tener fuertes deseos sexuales (Impett y Peplau, 2003;Dworkin y O'Sullivan, 2005;Meston y O'Sullivan, 2007;Tolman et al, 2007;McCabe et al, 2010;Weinberg et al, 2010;Ménard y Cabrera, 2011;Vannier y O'Sullivan, 2011Sakaluk et al, 2014). Por tanto, podemos afirmar que, aunque en ambos géneros normativos existen presiones para encajar dentro de los esquemas de género establecidos, estas exigencias son más severas y virulentas para las mujeres, por lo menos en las relaciones heterosexuales.…”