Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine if self-identified bisexual, heterosexual, and homosexual men show differential
genital and subjective arousal patterns to video presentations of bisexual, heterosexual, male homosexual, and lesbian sexual
interactions. It was predicted that, relative to heterosexual and homosexual stimuli, bisexual men would show the highest
levels of sexual arousal to bisexual erotic material, while this stimulus would induce relatively low levels of response in
heterosexual and homosexual men. A sample of 59 men (19 homosexual, 13 bisexual, and 27 heterosexual) were presented with
a series of 4-min sexual videos while their genital and subjective sexual responses were measured continuously. Bisexual men
did not differ significantly in their responses to male homosexual stimuli (depicting men engaging in sex) from homosexual
men, and they did not differ significantly in their responses to heterosexual (depicting two women, without same-sex contact,
engaged in sex with a man) and lesbian (depicting women engaging in sex) stimuli from heterosexual men. However, bisexual
men displayed significantly higher levels of both genital and subjective sexual arousal to a bisexual stimulus (depicting
a man engaged in sex with both a man and a woman) than either homosexual or heterosexual men. The findings of this study indicate
that bisexuality in men is associated with a unique and specific pattern of sexual arousal.
genital and subjective arousal patterns to video presentations of bisexual, heterosexual, male homosexual, and lesbian sexual
interactions. It was predicted that, relative to heterosexual and homosexual stimuli, bisexual men would show the highest
levels of sexual arousal to bisexual erotic material, while this stimulus would induce relatively low levels of response in
heterosexual and homosexual men. A sample of 59 men (19 homosexual, 13 bisexual, and 27 heterosexual) were presented with
a series of 4-min sexual videos while their genital and subjective sexual responses were measured continuously. Bisexual men
did not differ significantly in their responses to male homosexual stimuli (depicting men engaging in sex) from homosexual
men, and they did not differ significantly in their responses to heterosexual (depicting two women, without same-sex contact,
engaged in sex with a man) and lesbian (depicting women engaging in sex) stimuli from heterosexual men. However, bisexual
men displayed significantly higher levels of both genital and subjective sexual arousal to a bisexual stimulus (depicting
a man engaged in sex with both a man and a woman) than either homosexual or heterosexual men. The findings of this study indicate
that bisexuality in men is associated with a unique and specific pattern of sexual arousal.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s10508-011-9746-0
- Authors
- Jerome A. Cerny, Department of Psychology, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN USA
- Erick Janssen, The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, Indiana University, Morrison Hall 313, 1165 E. Third St., Bloomington, IN 47405-2501, USA
- Journal Archives of Sexual Behavior
- Online ISSN 1573-2800
- Print ISSN 0004-0002