ChapterPDF Available

The Dual-Control Model: The role of sexual inhibition & excitation in sexual arousal and behavior.

Authors:
Erick Janssen at Institute for Family and Sexuality Studies
Erick Janssen
  • Institute for Family and Sexuality Studies
John Bancroft at Indiana University Bloomington
John Bancroft
Download full-text PDFDownload full-text PDF
Read full-text
Download citation
Janssen_Bancroft2007Book with citation in
fo.pdf
Content uploaded by Erick Janssen
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Erick Janssen
Content may be subject to copyright.
Janssen_Bancroft2007Book with citation in
fo.pdf
Content uploaded by Erick Janssen
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Erick Janssen
Content may be subject to copyright.
Janssen, E. & Bancroft, J. (2007). The Dual-Control Model:
The role of sexual inhibition & excitation in sexual arousal
and behavior. In E. Janssen (Ed.), The Psychophysiology of
Sex. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 197-222.
... The Information Processing Model of Sexual Arousal [4] emphasises that sexual arousal is highly dependent on the appraisal of a given stimulus. For example, suppose a sexual stimulus activates a threat-or worry-related meaning in memory (and is appraised as such), it can divert the attention from the sexual content of that stimulus and, therefore, hinder sexual response [4,12]. ...
... The Dual Control Model of Sexual Response, while acknowledging the relevance of attentional mechanisms, conceptualises sexual response as a product of sexual excitation and inhibition propensities, acting centrally in the brain [12,13]. This framework assumes that individuals vary in such propensities and that those differences can be systematically measured [14]. ...
... However, there is no empirical evidence on whether such variables can modulate the impact of neuroticism on automatic attention. Grounded on theoretical models of sexual cognition [3,4,12], we aimed to study whether neuroticism influences automatic attention towards sexual stimuli via sexual inhibition/excitation. To this end, we studied the neuroelectric correlates of automatic attention towards sexual cues, so as to better characterise this phenomenon and to identify the phase, within the time course of the cognitive processing, they most likely to occur. ...
Automatic Attention to Sexual Stimuli: Exploring the Role of Neuroticism and Sexual Excitation/Inhibition Through Event-Related Potentials
Article
Full-text available
  • Jul 2024
  • J SEX MED
Background: Previous findings have shown that neuroticism is a higher-order vulnerability factor in the development and maintenance of sexual dysfunctions and can have an impact on the attentional processing of sexual stimuli; however, the influence of psychosexual dimensions on the early automatic phases of such cognitive processes has not been established yet. Aim: To examine the mediating role of sexual inhibition/excitation propensity in the relationship between neuroticism and automatic attention to visual erotica and to identify the neuroelectric correlates of such a process. Methods: We analysed the answers provided by 58 individuals, in the Neuroticism subscale of the NEO-Personality Inventory-Revised (NEO PI-R) and the Sexual Inhibition/Excitation Scales (SIS/SES). Event-related potentials (ERP) were recorded during a modified oddball paradigm containing romantic and sexually explicit pictures. Parallel mediations were performed to simultaneously test the mediating role of sexual inhibition/excitation in the relationship between neuroticism and each ERP. Outcomes: Three early attention ERP components (P1, P2, and N2) were assessed. Results: Findings revealed an indirect effect of neuroticism on automatic attention, via sexual inhibition due to threat of performance failure (SIS1), for romantic and sexually explicit stimuli. This effect was only significant for component N2, which showed increased amplitudes and earlier latencies in participants with high SIS1. Clinical Implications: Sexual stimuli, due to their emotional valence and arousal potential, might be to be perceived as virtually threatening by individuals with neuroticism, who may benefit from strategies that decrease hyperarousal and sympathetic activation. Strengths & Limitations: This was one of the first studies to analyse the neuroelectric activity associated with automatic attention towards sexual stimuli, in relation to personality and sexual excitation/inhibition propensity. Nevertheless, the limited number of participants demands caution in generalising the results. Conclusion: These results provide a better understanding of the relationship between personality and sexual cognition and open new avenues of research in relation to other automatic cognitive phenomena related to human sexual behaviour. Keywords: automatic attention, sexual stimuli, SIS/SES, ERP, N2, neuroticism
View
... These experiences led to feelings of shame, frustration, and discouragement. Recognizing these barriers and the influence of parental attitudes toward sex on her appraisals, I (HT) integrated insights from the developmental trajectories of disgust and the dual control model (Janssen & Bancroft, 2007). This model distinguishes sexual response into two systems: sexual excitation (SES) as the "gas," activated by cues like erotic thoughts and emotional intimacy, and sexual inhibition (SIS) as the "brakes," triggered by factors like disgust and anxiety. ...
Sexual Aversion, Disgust, and Fear of Intimacy: A Comprehensive Case History Using a Multimodal Therapeutic Approach
Article
Full-text available
This single-case study examines the psychotherapeutic journey of a 23-year-old woman experiencing a persistent and long-standing fear of emotional intimacy and aversion to physical intimacy, which led to the active avoidance of sexual encounters, psychological distress, and interpersonal difficulties. Over 26 one-hour sessions, an integrative therapeutic approach was employed, combining elements from psychodynamic, acceptance and commitment, cognitive-behavioral, and exposure therapies, with psychoeducation and sex education playing pivotal roles. The treatment resulted in significant improvements, as evidenced by both quantitative and qualitative assessments. Quantitative measures of emotional distress—specifically anxiety, depression, and fear of intimacy—initially increased during intentional exposure but showed significant improvements at 6-month and 1-year follow-ups. Qualitative data revealed enhancements in self-concept, increased self-compassion, and improved social functioning aligned with the individual’s life aspirations. This case study highlights effective therapeutic strategies for addressing sexual aversion in young adults and demonstrates the potential for alleviating symptoms and enriching quality of life through an integrative approach.
View
... Some studies have highlighted that women's sexual problems are higher in societies with low levels of gender equality (Giménez-García et al., 2020). The highest punctuation in SFP in women may also be due to the lack of self-esteem in women by their body image (Nobre & Pinto-Gouveia, 2008), the low desire related with aging (Carvalho & Nobre, 2010) or even problems in the inhibitory/ excitatory mechanism (Janssen & Bancroft, 2007;Sanders et al., 2008), which are quite common in women. Finally, our results regarding gender-diverse individuals differ from prior reports of higher levels of SFPs among non-binary and trans individuals (Lafortune et al., 2022). ...
Cross-cultural Validation of the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) in 42 Countries and 26 Languages
Article
Full-text available
  • Oct 2024
  • Sex Res Soc Pol
Introduction The Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) is a brief questionnaire that evaluates five major aspects of sexual function: sex drive, arousal, erectile function/vaginal lubrication, ability to reach orgasm, and satisfaction with orgasm. An advantage of the ASEX is its simplicity and brevity (five items), making it suitable for the screening of sexual function problems in healthcare contexts and large-scale studies. The main objective of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the ASEX in a multi-national sample, as well as to explore sexual function according to countries, genders, and sexual orientations. Methods The psychometric examination of the ASEX was conducted with a sample of 82,243 participants (women = 57.02%; men = 39.59%; gender-diverse = 3.38%; Mage = 32.39 years; SD = 12.52) from 42 different countries speaking 26 languages. Results The CFA supported a one-factor solution. Multigroup CFAs supported configural, metric, partial scalar, and residual invariance across countries, languages, genders, and sexual orientations. Furthermore, the ASEX showed good internal consistency (ω = .85) and convergent validity (e.g., significant negative associations with masturbation and sexual intercourse frequency). Finally, individuals in Eastern countries, women, and asexual participants reported higher levels of sexual function issues. Conclusions and Policy Implications The findings supported the use of the ASEX as a tool to screen for sexual function problems across diverse populations in multi-cultural settings. This scale may be used to improve our knowledge on the cross-cultural differences on the expression of sexual function, serving as the basis for the development of culturally tailored interventions for the improvement of this basic aspect of well-being.
View
... Individual variability in the association between negative mood and sexual desire might be explained using the Dual Control Model of sexual response (DCM; Bancroft & Janssen, 2000;Janssen & Bancroft, 2023), which postulates that individuals vary in their propensity for sexual excitation and sexual inhibition. Consistent with the DCM, several studies have found negative mood to be more often paradoxically associated with stable or even increased levels of sexual desire in individuals who score higher on sexual excitation and lower on sexual inhibition (Bancroft et al., 2009;Bancroft, Janssen, Strong, Carnes, et al., 2003;Janssen & Bancroft, 2007). In light of these findings, which are based on studies in individuals, and on these individuals' own assessment of the effects of mood on sexuality, one might ask how individual variability could manifest itself within the dynamics of a dyadic context. ...
In the Mood: How Sexual Desire Predicts and is Predicted by Romantic Partners' Mood
Article
Full-text available
The association between mood and sexual desire has been the object of significant scientific and public interest. How mood shapes and is shaped by sexual desire is typically studied within one and the same individual, yet sexual desire is often experienced in the context of a romantic relationship. To obtain a more complete picture of the relation between mood and sexual desire, we examined the temporal interplay between mood and sexual desire both within and between partners in a romantic relationship. Using data from an experience sampling study involving both partners of mixed-gender romantic couples (N = 188; Mage = 26.34, SDage = 5.33), we investigated how each partner’s mood (in terms of positive and negative affect) predicted their own sexual desire as well as that of their partner and vice versa. Results of both concurrent and temporal analyses confirmed bidirectional associations between mood and sexual desire both within and between partners, such that (1) both a person’s own and their partner’s positive mood predicted an increase in sexual desire, and a person’s own and their partner’s negative mood predicted a decrease in sexual desire. In addition, (2) both a person’s own and their partner’s sexual desire predicted an increase in positive mood, and a person’s own and their partner’s sexual desire predicted a decrease in negative mood. Only few gender differences were found. The results underscore how sexual desire can predict and be predicted by both romantic partners’ mood, highlighting the need for interactional models of sexual desire.
View
... Although these factors have not yet been examined in the context of sexual compliance, studies linking personal factors such as lower sexual self-efficacy (Himanen & Gunst, 2023) and socioeconomic status (Bay-Cheng & Bruns, 2016) to negative consequences may at least partly explain this finding: Individuals with mental health issues and lower self-esteem might have fewer mental resources to deal with unwanted advances. Mental health problems might also affect sexual inhibition/excitation (Janssen & Bancroft, 2007), making it more difficult to become and remain aroused, and, in turn, to experience responsive desire. In addition, compliance may exacerbate negative feelings (e.g., anxiety and feeling inadequate) associated with various affective disorders. ...
A Qualitative Content Analysis of Perceived Individual and Relational Consequences of Sexual Compliance and Their Contributors
Article
Full-text available
Sexual compliance (i.e., consensually engaging in sex despite a lack of desire for it) is common in committed intimate relationships, but the consequences of compliance for the well-being of the individual and the relationship are poorly understood. We investigated the perceived consequences of sexual compliance and perceptions of factors contributing to negative/positive consequences by applying qualitative content analysis to free-text retrospective survey responses from 107 (mostly) Finnish adults. We identified five themes of personal consequences (emotions and mood, sexual experience, sexual desire, pressure and violations, and physical pain), four of relational consequences (relationship satisfaction, partner’s response, relationship interaction, and value alignment), and nine of possible factors contributing to negative/positive consequences (communication, self-esteem, motives for sex, relationship factors, agency and self-knowledge, mental health and stress, psychological flexibility, societal norms, and past negative experiences). Perceived consequences varied widely across individuals, both in terms of whether any positive or negative consequences were experienced and whether compliance was perceived as improving or worsening specific domains of well-being. We discuss the themes identified in relation to previous theories of sexuality and intimate relationships and offer hypotheses that can be tested in future quantitative studies.
View
... Again, individuals vary in the extent to which they are bothered by these inhibiting situational aspects -a concept referred to as sexual inhibition (SI). According to the dual control model (DCM) (Bancroft and Janssen, 2000;Janssen and Bancroft, 2007;Bancroft et al., 2009), excitatory and inhibitory forces operate independently from each other, and adaptive sexual responses are based on a balanced interplay between these dynamics. Correspondingly, SE and SI have been considered as the gas pedal and brake of sexual arousal, respectively (Janssen and Bancroft, 2023). ...
Interplay between sexual excitation and inhibition: impact on sexual function and neural correlates of erotic stimulus processing in women
Article
Full-text available
  • May 2024
Background: As outlined by the dual control model (DCM), individual differences in the regulation of sexual arousal following sexual stimulation depend on two distinct neurophysiological processes: sexual excitation (SE) and sexual inhibition (SI). Although associations with sexual function, behavior, and cue processing have been demonstrated in previous research, underlying neural correlates remain insufficiently explored. Moreover, interactive effects of SE/SI as proposed by the DCM, as well as factors impacting SE/SI properties, such as the use of oral contraceptives (OCs), have not received adequate attention in existing research. Methods: 90 healthy, sexually active women (n = 51 using OCs, n = 39 naturally cycling) completed an Emotional-Picture-Stroop-Paradigm (EPSP) while a 64-channel EEG was recorded. LPP amplitudes toward erotic and neutral stimuli were consecutively computed as a marker of motivational salience and approach motivation. Additionally, women provided self-reports of SE/SI and sexual function. Moderation analyses were performed to assess interactive effects of SE/SI in predicting LPP amplitudes and sexual function. Results: Sexual function was negatively associated with SI levels but unrelated to SE. Higher SI was associated with reduced LPP amplitudes in response to erotic stimuli. This negative association was, however, attenuated for women high in SE, suggesting interactive effects of SE/SI. Furthermore, women using OCs reported lower SE compared to naturally cycling women. Conclusion: The observed findings provide additional psychophysiological evidence supporting the DCM and underscore the relevance of interactive SE/SI effects in stimulus processing and approach motivation. They also highlight the possible impact of OCs on psychosexual variables that warrants further research.
View
... The DCM enables the sexual response to be explained from the sexual excitation and inhibition dimensions (Bancroft et al., 2009;Bancroft & Janssen, 2000;Velten et al., 2017), which is why it is useful for understanding sexual dysfunctions (Bancroft, Carnes et al., 2005;Bancroft, Herbenick et al., 2005;Bancroft & Janssen, 2000;Janssen et al., 2002;Moyano & Sierra, 2014;Sanders et al., 2008;Sierra et al., 2019). The existence of a relatively independent inhibitory and excitatory system together provides double control over the sexual response and associated behaviors (Bancroft & Janssen, 2000;Janssen & Bancroft, 2007). Low sexual excitation levels and high sexual inhibition levels are expected to be associated with a greater probability of developing sexual dysfunction. ...
Validity and Reliability Evidence and Norms for the Spanish Version of the Sexual Inhibition/Sexual Excitation Scales-Short Form
Article
Full-text available
  • May 2024
Background: The Sexual Inhibition/Sexual Excitation Scales-Short Form (SIS/SES-SF) is a brief instrument for assessing the propensity for sexual excitement and inhibition in men and women. The aim of the present study was to provide evidence for the validity and reliability of the Spanish version of the SIS/SES-SF scores by examining invariance, reliability (information function and internal consistency), the relationship between the scores and sexual functioning, and presenting its standard scores. Method: A total of 2,223 Spanish heterosexuals (43.41% men and 56.59% women) aged 18 to 83 years (M = 39.94, SD = 11.95), distributed across age groups (18-34, 35-49, ≥ 50 years old) participated. Results: The three-factor structure of the Spanish version of SIS/SES-SF showed weak measurement invariance by sex and strict measurement invariance by age. The scores explained the dimensions of sexual functioning, especially sexual arousal and erection/lubrication. In addition, men and women without difficulties in sexual functioning demonstrated more propensity for sexual excitation and less sexual inhibition. The standard scores are presented by sex and age group. Conclusions: The study provides evidence of the validity and reliability of the SIS/SES-SF measures, confirming its usefulness for assessing propensity to sexual excitation and inhibition.
View
View
View
View
Effects of fragrance on female sexual arousal and mood across the menstrual cycle
Article
Full-text available
  • Jan 2000
  • PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY
The effects of fragrance on sexual response in women were investigated using subjective and physiological measures of sexual arousal and of mood. Responses were obtained from female participants in three different fragrance conditions (female fragrance, male fragrance, and a “blank” or neutral substance), as they viewed erotic and sexually neutral films, and fantasized about sexual situations. Each woman was tested twice: during the midfollicular and periovulatory phases of her menstrual cycle. Menstrual cycle phase effects were apparent; self-report data indicated greater sexual arousal and more positive mood during the periovulatory than during the follicular phase. Results demonstrated a positive effect of the male fragrance on genital arousal during erotic fantasy, but this finding was apparent only during the follicular phase testing session. This effect did not appear to be mediated by any effects of fragrance on mood.
View
The Sexual Excitation/Sexual Inhibition Inventory for Women: Psychometric Properties
Article
Full-text available
  • Sep 2006
This article reports on the development of a new questionnaire designed to assess the propensity for sexual excitation and sexual inhibition in women: The Sexual Excitation/Sexual Inhibition Inventory for Women (SESII-W). The theoretical model underlying this research, the Dual Control Model, postulates that sexual response depends on a balance between excitatory and inhibitory mechanisms and that individuals vary in their propensity for excitation and inhibition. This study describes the development and initial validation of the SESII-W in a sample of 655 women (M age, 33.9 years). Factor analysis identified eight factors and two higher-order factors: one related to sexual excitation and one to sexual inhibition. The measure demonstrated good test-retest reliability and discriminant and convergent validity. Our data underscore that a number of factors affect women's sexual arousal and these appear to be related to opposing processes of sexual excitation and sexual inhibition. Theoretical issues, possible gender differences, and the value of using qualitative data to inform questionnaire development are discussed.
View