THE ROLE OF ALCOHOL AND GENDER IN CHOICES AND JUDGMENTS ABOUT HYPOTHETICAL SEXUAL ENCOUNTERS

The goal of this study was to explore the process by which sexual situ ations that involve alcohol are negotiated. A scenario depicting a dri nking situation involving potential sexual activity was constructed an d converted into a text-based interactive computer game, in which alco hol consumption of the subject and partner roles was varied. The progr am included a number of points at which the subject's response determi ned the subsequent course of action. At these choice points, questions were asked about perceptions of sexual interest and nervousness. The results showed strong gender differences in subjects' choices, judgmen ts, and feelings throughout the hypothetical encounter, with men much more likely to choose responses leading to sexual activity and to expr ess more attraction and sexual desire throughout. Alcohol interacted w ith gender such that among women, those in drinking scenarios were mor e likely than those in nondrinking scenarios to choose to have sex at the end of the scenario; this effect was not seen in male subjects.