The Effects of False Physiological Feedback on Sexual Arousal in Sexually Dysfunctional and Functional Males

Abstract

According to a recent model of psychogenic erectile dysfunction (Sbrocco & Barlow, 1996), dysfunctional performance results from focusing on negative outcome expectancy and low confidence following a discrepancy between expected and actual performance. The purpose of the current study was to manipulate the experience of sexually functional and dysfunctional males to produce a discrepancy between expected and actual performance. Fifty-six sexually functional and 57 sexually dysfunctional men were assigned to one of four groups (negative feedback, neutral feedback. inflated feedback, or no feedback). Penile tumescence was recorded while viewing two 5-minute erotic videotapes. All participants viewed film 1 without feedback. Next. the feedback subjects were told the average score for an erection and were asked to predict the score they would receive during film 2 and how confident they were. While viewing film 2, the negative feedback group received feedback that their scores were below their prediction, the neutral feedback group received feedback that their scores were what they predicted. and the inflated feedback group was shown their scores were higher than predicted. After film 2, they were again asked to predict their scores on a subsequent (bogus) film and rate their confidence.Contrary to the Sbrocco and Barlow model, positive feedback decreased tumescence for both the dysfunctionals and functionals. This occurred. despite an increase in expectancy, confidence, and self-reported arousal. Also in contrast with the Sbrocco and Barlow model, ii negative feedback resulted in decreased outcome expectancy but did not induce a change in tumescence for the dysfunctionals. Finally, negative feedback unexpectedly resulted in decreased tumescence for the functionals.The only variable that predicted changes in tumescence was the self-reported level of surprise concerning the feedback. For both the dysfunctionals and functionals, the feedback groups that experienced a decrease in tumescence were more surprised by the feedback than the groups that experienced no change in tumescence.In conclusion, the present study found that positive expectations for and confidence in functional sexual performance may be necessary but not sufficient factors for successful tumescence. Positive outcome expectancies and confidence may only be useful if the man is not surprised by his performance. LIST OF FIGURESCross section of male pelvic region and cross section of penis Barlow's (1986Barlow's ( , 1988 model of sexual dysfunction Barlow, Sakheim, and Beck's (1983) shock threat paradigm Abrahamson, Barlow, Sakheim, Beck, and Athanasiou's (1985) What we do know is that a sexual situation involves the integration of information from various sensory modalities and sources. Information is internally and externally generated and cognitively processed in order to produce a sexual response. Obtaining and maintaining an erection is a complex process that requires not only normal physiological responding, but also functional cognitive a...

The Effect of Feedback on Penile Tumescence in Sexually Functional Men

“…The difference approached significance (p = .065) and did not appear at baseline. In contrast, controls did not consistently predict larger erections prior to Films 2 and 3 in the previous study conducted by Stone, et al (1999). The Stone, et al, subject sample and the current sample are very similar in terms of age, ethnicity, and years of education.…”

“…When men do receive it, they may not know how to incorporate it into their functioning. Stone, et al (1999) came to this conclusion after examining not just positive feedback, but negative and neutral feedback as well. In that study, negative feedback resulted in decreased outcome expectancy (lower predicted scores and erection sizes), decreased tumescence, and lower subjective ratings on erection size.…”

“…Stone, et al, (1999) found that functional men experienced a decrease in sexual performance when exposed to information that they were performing better than expected.…”

“…The purpose of the present study is to replicate and extend the paradigm employed by Stone et al (1999) in order to examine whether extending stimulus time will allow functionals to "recover"; that is, to increase tumescence by attending to erotic cues after experiencing a discrepancy. As before, the paradigm is intended to manipulate the experience of sexually functional males within a laboratory context to produce a discrepancy between expected and "actual" sexual performance.…”

“…In Stone, et al, (1999), functional men receiving false feedback were limited to a five minute video clip. These men experienced a decrease in erectile functioning due to the distraction caused by the feedback score.…”