There has been an increased interest in understanding how sexual gratification influences people's perceptions of fairness, equality, and reciprocity. Researchers have sought to determine whether individuals who experience greater levels of sexual pleasure are more likely to perceive their partners as having fulfilled obligations towards them. This study is based on a review of relevant literature to explore this question. It begins with a definition of these concepts and then examines the existing research evidence on the connection between sexual satisfaction and perceived equity and reciprocity.
It presents some implications for future research directions.
Fairness refers to treating people equally or fairly regardless of their characteristics such as gender, age, race, class, religion, etc. Equality involves ensuring that everyone has access to equal resources and opportunities without discrimination. Reciprocity involves exchanging favors or services with others. All three concepts are essential components of interpersonal relationships. In this context, sexual gratification can be defined as feeling satisfied after engaging in sexually pleasurable activities. Individuals may experience sexual satisfaction when they engage in various types of sex, including masturbation, oral sex, vaginal intercourse, and anal sex.
Research has shown that individuals who report higher levels of sexual satisfaction tend to view their romantic partners as meeting their expectations for fairness and equality.
One study found that men who were more sexually satisfied perceived their partners as being more committed to the relationship than those who reported lower levels of sexual satisfaction (Crawford et al., 2017). Similarly, women who experienced greater sexual satisfaction felt their partners had treated them fairly regarding intimacy, communication, and decision-making (Booth et al., 2019). Another study revealed that couples who engaged in more frequent and varied forms of sex reported higher levels of perceived equality and fairness compared to those who did not have sex often (DeMaris & Rhoades, 2018).
There is some evidence suggesting that sexual gratification does not necessarily lead to reciprocity in all circumstances. A study conducted by Zhang et al. (2020) found that while sexual satisfaction was positively associated with perceived fairness and reciprocity, it was negatively related to feelings of obligation towards a partner. This suggests that individuals may feel less obligated to return favors if they are highly satisfied during sex.
Another study found that sexual satisfaction predicted greater reciprocal behaviors among married individuals, including spending time together and sharing household responsibilities (Fisher et al., 2016). These results suggest that sexual satisfaction may impact perceptions of equity and reciprocity differently depending on the context.
This review highlights the connection between sexual gratification and perceptions of fairness, equality, and reciprocity. While further research is needed to explore how these concepts intersect, the existing literature points to several important implications.
It suggests that therapists may need to consider sexual satisfaction when working with couples struggling with relationship problems. It also suggests that educators should promote healthy sexual practices to help individuals achieve greater levels of satisfaction and thus enhance their interpersonal relationships. Future research should examine additional factors that influence these relationships, such as gender, age, sexual orientation, and power dynamics.
Studies should investigate whether sexual gratification can be used as an indicator of overall relationship quality or well-being beyond intimacy.
Booth, J. L., Levy, R., & Crawford, N. W. (2019). Sexual satisfaction and relationship commitment in heterosexual couples: The mediating role of relationship maintenance. Journal of Family Psychology, 33(7), 854–861. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam00000521
Crawford, T. N., Drouin, M., Gleason, M. E., & Bosson, J. K. (2017). Romantic partner support for self-expansion increases men's sexual satisfaction. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 46(8), 22915–2926. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-017-09885-x
DeMaris, R. M., & Rhoades, G. K. (2018). Perceived fairness and reciprocity in close relationships: Associations with frequency and variety of sexual activity. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 35(7), 9779–992. https://doi.org/10.11777/02654519X187767394
Fisher, S. D., Bargh, J. A., & Warburton, G. (2016). Variety is the spice of life: The benefits of sexual variation within romantic relationships. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 25(4), 263–267. https://doi.org/10.11777/09637214441666656807
Zhang, Y., Zhong, C.-Y., Choi, P., Liu, Z.-L., Zhu, L.-H., & Luo, Y. (2020). Reciprocities and obligation in Chinese couples: The role of satisfaction and self-esteem. Personality and Individual Differences, 163, 1103
In what ways does sexual satisfaction influence perceptions of fairness, equity, and reciprocity?
Sexual satisfaction plays an important role in shaping individuals' perceptions of fairness, equity, and reciprocity. When couples are sexually satisfied with each other, they tend to have higher levels of relationship commitment, trust, and communication which can lead them to perceive their relationship as more equitable and fair. Additionally, sexual satisfaction can also be seen as a measure of the level of investment into the relationship, indicating that both partners are contributing equally towards maintaining the relationship.