The idea that certain personality traits can influence romantic and sexual attraction is widely accepted.
It is unclear how these traits predict specific aspects of sexual behavior such as novelty-seeking, sexual responsiveness, and relational harmony. This study examined whether self-report measures of the Big Five personality traits could predict sexual responsiveness, novelty-seeking, and relational harmony. Participants were 194 heterosexual adults who completed questionnaires measuring their personality traits, sexual behaviors, and relationship satisfaction. The results showed that extraversion was positively related to novelty-seeking, agreeableness was negatively related to sexual responsiveness, conscientiousness was negatively related to sexual responsiveness, and neuroticism was positively related to relational harmony. These findings suggest that temperament compatibility may play an important role in understanding sexual behavior and satisfaction in relationships.
To explore this question, the researchers recruited 194 heterosexual participants who had been in a romantic relationship for at least three months. Participants ranged in age from 20 to 78 years old (M 36.5) and reported having been sexually active within the past month. They were predominantly White/Caucasian (75%) and had attended college or graduate school (67%). The researchers measured personality traits using the Big Five Inventory, sexual behaviors with the Sexual Behaviors Questionnaire, and relationship satisfaction with the Dyadic Adjustment Scale.
The study found that extraversion was positively associated with novelty-seeking, while agreeableness was negatively correlated with sexual responsiveness. Conscientiousness was also negatively related to sexual responsiveness, and neuroticism was positively associated with relational harmony. These findings indicate that certain personality traits may predict specific aspects of sexual behavior and relationship satisfaction.
The present study provides insight into how temperament compatibility may impact sexual behavior and relational harmony. Future research should examine how other factors such as attachment style, emotional intimacy, and communication styles influence these outcomes.
This study highlights the importance of considering individual differences when studying sexuality and relationships.
How does temperament compatibility predict sexual responsiveness, novelty-seeking, and relational harmony?
Temperament compatibility is a concept that refers to an individual's unique combination of characteristics such as traits, behavioral patterns, and attitudes. It encompasses both positive and negative attributes and can influence various aspects of interpersonal relationships, including sexual desires, preferences for new experiences, and feelings of connection with others. Research has found that individuals who have similar temperaments tend to be more sexually compatible, meaning they share similar interests and expectations regarding intimacy and pleasure.