Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this dissertation was to examine factors involved in sexual risk-taking behavior among college students. The variables of focus were perceptions of attractiveness and physiological arousal. Method. A convenience sample of 113 college heterosexual males ranging in age from 18 to 28 served as participants. The following ethnicities were represented: Caucasian (N= 59); Latino (N= 32); African-American (N=13); Biracial (N= 7); Asian/Pacific Islander (N=1) and "Other" (N=1,). Participants were involved in organized sports, either as a team member, or as part of a class. Participants each viewed one of three stimulus photographs, accompanied by a dating profile. Each profile was identical, regardless of which of the three photographs were viewed. The stimulus photographs were of young females approximately 24 years old, who had been previously rated as attractive, moderately attractive, and unattractive in a pretest. A sexual risk-taking survey and demographic questionnaire were also completed by each participant. The complete survey packet was completed either before exercise or following physical activity. Results. A significant multivariate effect was found with regard to photograph viewed. The interaction between photograph viewed and physiological arousal produced no significant effect. Arousal alone did not produce a statistically significant effect. Perception of attractiveness (photograph viewed) provided significant results with regard to perceived desirability as well as intention to engage in sexual activity. All three photos were found to significantly affect scores on the perceived desirability measure. With regard to interest in sex, Photos A (attractive) and B (moderately attractive) resulted in significantly different scores from Photo C (unattractive), with no difference in scores between those viewing Photos A and B. Discussion. This dissertation began the task of examining the influence of attractiveness and arousal on sexual risk-taking. It is believed this was the first research undertaken in which these variables were examined together, while several other studies have explored them sgparately. It is hoped that such research would continue to delineate variables that would allow for the development of more effective preventative programs that focus not only on education, but also on the motivational forces behind safe sex behavior.