Transcript Effects of Fertility Status on Sexual Decision Making

The Effects of Alcohol and Fertility on Women’s Sexual
Decision Making
Emma Altgelt, Tina Zawacki, Andrea Fernandez, Alex Wang
University of Texas San Antonio
Effects of Alcohol on Sexual Decision Making
• Alcohol intoxication makes risky decisions and
behaviors appear less risky to intoxicated
women. (Fromme et al., 1999; Norris et al., 2004)
• Alcohol’s myopic effects may cause women to
focus more on the immediate benefits of a sexual
encounter than the potential risks. (Steele & Josephs,
1990; Zawacki, 2011)
Effects of Fertility Status on Sexual Decision
Making
• According to the Good Genes Sexual Selection
Theory, ovulation results in a shift of focus from a
long-term mating strategy to a short-term
mating strategy. (Gangestad & Simpson, 2000)
• During high fertility, indicators of genetic quality
in short-term mates (i.e. attractiveness) surpass
traits women find attractive in long-term mates.
• The good gene trait of facial symmetry is
positively related to the number of lifetime
sexual partners. (Gangestad & Simpson, 2000)
• Attraction to a partner with a short-term mating
strategy (i.e. multiple past partners) could
influence a woman’s sexual decision making and
risk perceptions.
Present Study
• The present study examined the influences of
alcohol consumption and fertility status on
women’s sexual decision making after a speed
dating interaction with a male confederate of the
research team.
Method
Participants
• Women recruited from the San Antonio area
• N = 48
• Single
• Between the ages 21 and 30
• Didn’t use hormonal contraceptives within
the past 3 months
• Had regular menstrual cycles (25-35 days)
(Durante et al., 2012)
• Fertility assessed using the actuarial calendar
method (Hazelton & Miller, 2006)
Research reported in this presentation was supported by the
National Institute of General Medical Sciences of NIH under
award number SC1DA031962 to the 2nd author.
Contact: [email protected]
Method (Cont’d)
Procedure
1.Beverage Administration:
• Prior to beverage administration participants
met the male confederate posing as a male
participant.
• Alcohol condition - participants received 0.45
ml/lb of 100 proof vodka mixed with lemonlime mixer to achieve a peak BAC of about
0.080.
• No alcohol condition - participants received
lemon-lime mixer only equal to the amount she
would have received in alcohol condition.
2. Social Interaction:
• Before the social interaction:
• The male confederate exited the interaction
room.
• The participant read his dating profile survey
completed in a standardized manner.
• During the social interaction:
• The participant and confederate interacted
for 10 minutes.
3. Dependent Measures:
• Multiple items assessed participants’
perceptions of the sexual and relationship
interest of their conversation partner
• EX: “How much would you conversation
partner be interested in establishing a casual
dating relationship with you?” (1 = Not at
all, 7 = Very)
Results
• Fertility Status was analyzed as a continuous
variable by calculating participants’ risk of
conception on day of participation. (Jöchle, 1973)
• Results showed an interaction effect that
approached significance between fertility status
and alcohol condition on perceived partner
interest ( = .804, p = .056).
• Decomposing the interaction revealed a
significant relationship between fertility status
and perceived partner interest for participants in
the alcohol condition ( = .613, p = .001).
• As fertility status (conception risk) increased,
participants’ perceptions of their partner’s
interest increased.
Results (Cont’d)
• However, there was not a significant
relationship between fertility status and
perceived partner interest in the no alcohol
condition ( = .285, p = .158)
Regression of Perceived Partner Interest
onto Fertility Status (continuous) and
Alcohol Condition (Alcohol, No Alcohol)
5.9
5.4
Perceived Partner Interest
Introduction
4.9
4.4
3.9
3.4
2.9
2.4
1.9
0
10
20
30
Percentage Conception Risk
40
Alcohol
No Alcohol
Discussion
• These findings hold implications for alcohol
myopia theory and evolutionary theories of the
impact of ovulation on women’s mating
strategies.
• Under the influence of alcohol, a woman’s
fertility status could have increased influence on
her perceptions of potential partners and sexual
decision making.
• Perceiving a potential partner to be more
interested in having a short-term relationship
could result in increased reciprocal interest from
the woman.
Future Research
• Future research should examine the effects of
alcohol and fertility status together on other
aspects of dating behavior such as mate
preferences, sexual decision making, and
relationship satisfaction.