MOOD AND SEXUAL AROUSAL IN WOMEN

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a positiv e 'mood for sex' on genital and subjective sexual arousal in functiona l women, using a musical mood induction procedure. Fifty-one female Ss were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: erotic film precede d by mood induction; erotic fantasy preceded by mood induction; erotic film without mood induction; and erotic fantasy without mood inductio n. Photoplethysmographic pulse amplitude was continuously recorded and self-report ratings of sexual arousal and affective reactions were co llected before and after erotic conditions. Results showed that a posi tive sexual mood did not facilitate subsequent genital and subjective sexual arousal. Positive sexual mood did inhibit negative emotional ex periences to erotic film.