The Association Between Sexual Cognitions of Dominance/Submission and Sexual Arousal Challenges Traditional Gender Roles

Given the lack of research examining the relationship between sexual cognitions of dominance and submission — experienced as positive (PSC) and negative (NSC) — and sexual arousal, this study examines gender differences in this association. A total of 1,400 cisgender heterosexual adults (700 men and 700 women), aged 18 to 79 years ( M = 35.91; SD = 13.66), participated in the study. They self-reported the frequency of dominance and submission PSC and NSC, as well as sexual arousal and penile erection/vaginal lubrication experienced in the context of heterosexual sexual activity. The results indicate, first, gender differences in the frequency of these sexual cognitions: men report PSC more frequently and women report NSC more frequently; and second, that sexual cognitions involving submission (both positive and negative) have a greater association with sexual arousal in men than in women, whereas positive sexual cognitions of dominance showed the inverse pattern. The findings are discussed considering traditional gender roles.