A new study shows that men who are sleep deprived for a night tend to over perceive the sexual intent and interest of women.
A new study conducted by researchers from Hendrix College in Conway, Ark. has found that men who are deprived of sleep for a night tend to over perceive the sexual intent and interest of women Previous studies have shown that well rested men and women agree that women have a lower sexual interest and lower intent of having sex than men.
Earlier studies have also found that being deprived of sleep has a negative effect on decision-making variables such as moral reasoning, risk-taking, sensitivity and inhibition. However, this is the first time a study has been conducted to determine the effects of sleep deprivation on sex-related decision making.
For the study, 60 college students completed the Cross Sex Perception and Sex and Commitment Contrast instruments, developed by Martie Haselton and David Buss, before and after one night of sleep deprivation. They were asked to rate levels of agreement with a series of statements on 7-point Likert scales related to sexual interest, sexual intent and commitment interest and commitment aversion for a variety of targets.
"Our findings here are similar to those from studies using alcohol, which similarly inhibits the frontal lobe," said co-principal investigator Jennifer Peszka, PhD, associate professor of psychology at Hendrix College in Conway who led the study along with her colleague Jennifer Penner, PhD. "Sleep deprivation could have unexpected effects on perceptual experiences related to mating and dating that could lead people to engage in sexual decisions that they might otherwise not when they are well-rested. Poor decision-making in these areas can lead to problems such as sexual harassment, unplanned pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and relationship conflicts which are all factors that have serious medical, educational and economic implications for both the individual and for society."
