Perceptions of heterosexual activities by heterosexual individuals

This study examined heterosexual individuals' perceptions of heterosexual activities along the dimensions of romanticism, deviancy, and eroticism. One hundred and five women and 102 men (n = 207 participants) completed measures assessing experience with 17 heterosexual activities presented and a series of ratings for each activity along the dimensions listed above. Results indicate that, overall, men rated the activities as more erotic than women, except activities where women are the recipient (i.e. petting breasts). In looking at perceptions of romanticism and deviancy, men and women rated the activities very similarly. Rankings of the activities on the romanticism dimension were correlated positively with the eroticism dimension, but higher for women than for men. Deviancy ratings were negatively correlated with eroticism for everyone. The results are discussed in terms of script theory.