Erotic stories are fiction pieces that describe romantic, erotic, sensual or sexual experiences between partners. They often include descriptions of physical attraction, emotional connection, and sexual behavior. Erotica can be written from different perspectives, including the male, female, and third person. It can also involve different types of relationships, such as monogamous or polyamorous ones. Despite their popularity among readers, little is known about how erotica influences individuals' perceptions of relational fairness and expectations of reciprocity in desire. This study investigates this relationship using survey data from a sample of college students.
In the present study, participants read an excerpt from a popular erotic story. After reading, they were asked to rate their agreement with statements about relational fairness and reciprocity in desire. Results show that reading erotica influenced people's views regarding these concepts. Specifically, those who read erotica tended to perceive less relational fairness compared to those who did not read it. Also, they had higher expectations of reciprocity in desire than non-readers. The findings suggest that erotica may shape individuals' beliefs about what constitutes fairness in relationships and their expectations for giving and receiving pleasure.
To explore why erotica might influence perceptions of relational fairness and expectations of reciprocity, we will consider three potential explanations. First, some people may interpret erotica as a validation of certain gender roles, which can lead them to believe that men should take on more active sexual roles while women are expected to be passive and submissive. Second, erotica could promote the idea that intimacy requires effort, which could increase individuals' expectations of reciprocity.
Exposure to erotica may heighten awareness of what others find sexually appealing, which could alter their own preferences and desires.
The results suggest that reading erotica affects how people view relational fairness and expectations of reciprocity in desire. While this effect is small, it has implications for understanding how media consumption influences individuals' attitudes toward romantic partnerships. Future research could further examine how different types of erotica (e.g., male/female perspectives or polyamorous relationships) impact these beliefs. It could also examine whether reading erotica leads to changes in behavior in real-life relationships.
The present study found that reading an excerpt from an erotic story influenced participants' views regarding relational fairness and expectations of reciprocity in desire. These findings raise important questions about how media exposure shapes our perceptions of relationships and desires. Further research is needed to understand how other forms of media and genres of literature influence people's views on these topics.
How do erotic stories alter individuals' perceptions of relational fairness and expectations of reciprocity in desire?
Erotic stories have been shown to alter individuals' perceptions of relational fairness and expectations of reciprocity in desire in various ways. One study found that exposure to erotica increased participants' willingness to engage in nonreciprocated sexual activity with partners who were perceived as less attractive than themselves (Bressler & Shackelford, 2014).