Adolescence is a period marked by rapid physical, cognitive, and psychosocial changes. During this time, young people are exploring their sexual identities and learning about intimate relationships. This article will explore how adolescents perceive emotional authenticity in sexual interactions with non-human entities such as robots, virtual reality environments, and artificial intelligence systems. Emotional authenticity refers to the genuineness of feelings expressed during an interaction, which can be measured through self-reported ratings of intensity and frequency of emotions experienced. Research has shown that individuals who perceive high levels of emotional authenticity in their relationships tend to have better mental health outcomes, higher satisfaction rates, and greater relationship commitment.
Little research has been done on how adolescents perceive emotional authenticity when interacting with non-human entities.
This study aimed to examine the perceptions of emotional authenticity in sexual interactions between adolescents and non-human entities. Participants were recruited from various online forums and social media platforms where they discuss their experiences with sexbots and VR environments. The participants were asked to rate the level of emotional authenticity experienced during their interactions, using a 7-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (not at all) to 7 (extremely). They were also asked to provide detailed descriptions of their interactions, including any negative or positive aspects they encountered.
The results showed that most adolescents reported experiencing moderate levels of emotional authenticity during their sexual interactions with non-human entities.
There was significant variation among different groups, with some reporting higher levels of authenticity than others.
Those who had longer interactions tended to report higher levels of authenticity compared to those who had shorter interactions.
Those who used robots designed specifically for sexual purposes reported lower levels of authenticity compared to those who used VR environments. Interestingly, gender did not significantly impact the level of authenticity reported by participants.
This study suggests that adolescents can experience emotional authenticity in sexual interactions with non-human entities.
The degree of authenticity may be influenced by factors such as duration and type of interaction. Future research should explore the underlying mechanisms behind these findings, as well as how emotional authenticity may impact sexual satisfaction and relationship outcomes among adolescents.
How do adolescents perceive emotional authenticity in sexual interactions with non-human entities?
In contemporary society, adolescents are exposed to media that depicts human-non-human relationships as normalized, which may influence their perception of sexual interactions with non-human entities. Adolescents may view such interactions as less threatening and more acceptable due to desensitization from media representations.