To understand the impact of erotic roleplay, it is important to define what this term means. Erotic roleplay refers to the act of assuming a specific character or persona during sexual encounters with a partner(s) and acting out scenarios that are often outside of one's usual sexual practices. This can include fantasies involving various forms of BDSM, fetishes, and/or any other imagined scenario that stimulates arousal. While online erotic roleplay has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its anonymity and accessibility, there is still limited research exploring how it affects individuals' cognitive-emotional frameworks for attachment, desire regulation, and moral deliberation.
Literature Review
In the literature, several studies have examined the effects of roleplaying in general, including both non-sexual and sexual contexts. One study found that individuals who engaged in roleplaying had higher levels of social connectedness compared to those who did not, suggesting that there may be benefits to engaging in this type of behavior (Littleton et al., 2013). Another study found that people who were more likely to engage in roleplay activities tended to have stronger relationships than those who did not (Hogarth & Riggs, 2008).
There is little research specifically focusing on the impact of repeated participation in erotic roleplay online.
The current research question seeks to explore how frequent involvement in erotic roleplaying online shapes individuals' cognitive-emotional frameworks for attachment, desire regulation, and moral deliberation. Specifically, does repeated exposure to these types of encounters create a new normal for what constitutes acceptable or desirable sexual behaviors? Does it alter one's perception of emotional intimacy with partners?
How might this shift in attitudes impact one's moral judgment when encountering real-world scenarios involving sex or intimacy?
Hypotheses
Based on previous research and theoretical frameworks, the following hypotheses are proposed:
- Individuals who participate in erotic roleplay regularly will demonstrate increased comfort with deviant sexual behaviors and less concern for societal norms surrounding sexuality.
- Those who engage in regular online erotic roleplay will exhibit decreased emotional attachment to their partner(s), as they become accustomed to acting out fantasies with strangers.
- Repeated participation in online erotic roleplay may lead to a diminished ability to recognize healthy romantic or sexual relationships due to the distortion of reality and objectification of partners.
Methodology
This study will employ an experimental design to investigate the effects of repeated erotic roleplay on participants' cognitive-emotional frameworks for attachment, desire regulation, and moral deliberation. Participants will be recruited through social media platforms and online forums that cater to erotic roleplayers, and randomly assigned to either a control group (which receives no intervention) or an experimental group (which undergoes three sessions of online roleplay). The experimental group will then complete a series of questionnaires measuring their attitudes towards sex, intimacy, and morality, both before and after the intervention.
Results and Discussion
The results of this study will provide insight into how individuals who engage in regular erotic roleplaying online view sexual and intimate encounters outside of the context of these activities. It is expected that those who participate in the intervention will display increased comfort with deviant sexual behaviors, reduced emotional attachment to their partner(s), and difficulty recognizing healthy romantic or sexual relationships compared to those in the control group.
It is predicted that there will be differences between the genders in terms of these effects, as men are more likely than women to engage in erotic roleplay online.
To what degree does repeated participation in erotic roleplay online shape cognitive-emotional frameworks for attachment, desire regulation, and moral deliberation?
Eric's experience with erotic roleplaying games has led him to consider different forms of social interactions between virtual characters that involve sexual intimacy. He believes that these experiences have shaped his understanding of attachment by allowing him to explore the range of possible relationships from casual flings to deep romantic bonds. The desire regulation aspect involves Eric learning how to control his impulses and desires in order to be more fulfilled when engaging in the game.