Table of Contents
Sexual Wanting Questionnaire
ZOË D. PETERSON,1 University of Missouri-St. Louis
CHARLENE L. MUEHLENHARD, University of Kansas
Sexual activity is often classified as wanted or unwanted, reflecting a unidimensional, dichotomous model of sexual wanting. In reality, individuals’ feelings about wanting or not wanting sex often are more complex (Muehlenhard & Peterson, 2005). The Sexual Wanting Questionnaire was developed to measure a new, more complex model of sexual wanting. The questionnaire measures sexual wanting taking into account the following: (a) multiple levels of wanting rather than a dichotomy, acknowledging that sex can be wanted and unwanted to varying degrees; (b) multiple dimensions of wanting, acknowledging that sex can be wanted in some ways and unwanted in other ways; (c) an act-consequences distinction, acknowledging that wanting or not wanting a sexual act differs from wanting or not wanting its consequences; and (d) a wanting-consenting distinction, acknowledging that wanting or not wanting sex differs from consenting or not consenting to sex (Peterson & Muehlenhard, 2007).
Description
The Wanting Questionnaire consists of 106 items assessing participants’ reasons for wanting or not wanting a particular sexual experience (e.g., respondents’ first sexual experience or most recent sexual experience). It measures reasons for wanting and not wanting the sexual act itself, the consequences of engaging in the sexual act, and the consequences of not engaging in the sexual act. Questionnaire items describe reasons for wanting or not wanting sex that relate to sexual arousal, morals and values, situational characteristics, social status, fear of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and relationship concerns.
The scale was developed and tested for use with college students, although it could be adapted for use with other populations. The scale has been used to measure the “wantedness” of college men’s and women’s first sexual intercourse (Muehlenhard, Peterson, MacPherson, & Blair, 2002) and the wantedness of college women’s experiences with consensual and nonconsensual sexual intercourse (Peterson & Muehlenhard, 2007).
Response Mode and Timing
For each item, respondents are asked to indicate whether the statement was true for them prior to the particular sexual experience in question. If the item was true, they are asked to rate the extent to which that item was a reason for wanting or not wanting the sexual activity using a 7-point scale ranging from −3 (A Strong Reason for Not Wanting to Have Sex), to 0 (Not a Reason for Wanting or Not Wanting to Have Sex), to 3 (A Strong Reason for Wanting to Have Sex). Participants also are asked to make three global ratings of wantedness, which provide summaries of the wantedness of the sexual act itself, the wantedness of the consequences of the sexual activity, and the overall wantedness of the sexual activity. These global wantedness items also are rated on a scale ranging from −3 (Strongly Unwanted) to 3 (Strongly Wanted). It takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete the entire scale.
Scoring
In order to calculate scores on the Reasons for Wanting and the Reasons for Not Wanting subscales, the “not true” items are set equal to 0. When calculating the Reasons for Wanting subscale scores, negative ratings are replaced with zeros, and, when calculating the Reasons for Not Wanting subscale scores, positive ratings are replaced with zeros. Ratings for items on each subscale are averaged to calculate subscale scores. Scores on the Reasons for Wanting sub- scales can range from 0 to 3; higher scores indicate stronger feelings of wanting to have sex for that reason. Scores on the Reasons for Not Wanting subscales can range from −3 to 0; lower scores indicate stronger feelings of not wanting to have sex for that reason. The following is a breakdown of items belonging to each subscale:
Reasons for Wanting Subscales
- In the Mood: 1a, 2a, 3a, 6a, 7a, 10, 11a, 12a, 13a, 14, 16a, 17, 19, 22a, 26, 78
- Negative Consequences of Refusing: 49, 62, 66, 67, 68, 71, 75, 80, 82
- Personal Gain: 47, 48, 54, 79a Social Benefits: 40a, 41a, 45 Fear of Physical Harm: 69, 74
- Strengthen the Relationship: 50, 51, 59, 61 Not Intoxicated: 20a, 21a
- Not a Virgin: 29b, 30b
Reasons for Not Wanting Subscales
- Not in the Mood: 1b, 2b, 3c, 5, 12b, 13b, 16b Negative Consequences: 23, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39
- Lack of Confidence: 4b, 18, 25, 28, 29a
- Cheating: 63, 64
- Disliked the Other Person: 6b, 7b Negative Social Consequences: 40b, 41b
Reliability
Based on a sample of 213 college women who answered the questionnaire based on their experiences with consensual and nonconsensual sexual intercourse, Cronbach’s alphas for the subscales ranged from .72 to .95, providing evidence that the subscales had adequate internal consistency.
Validity
Items for the Sexual Wanting Questionnaire were developed based on themes identified in prior studies of individuals’ reasons for wanting and not wanting sex (e.g., Muehlenhard & Cook, 1988; O’Sullivan & Allgeier, 1998; O’Sullivan & Gaines, 1998) and based on discussions with a group of undergraduate college students. The subscales were developed using exploratory factor analysis and scale reliability analyses.
Because wanting and not wanting sex was conceptualized as distinct from consenting and not consenting to sex, scores on the Sexual Wanting Questionnaire were expected to be associated with—but distinct from—sexual con- sent. Peterson and Muehlenhard (2007) found evidence for this. A group of 87 college women who answered the questionnaire based on their most recent experience with consensual sexual intercourse (i.e., the consensual sex group) was compared with a group of 77 college women who answered based on their experience with nonconsensual sexual intercourse (i.e., the rape group). Not surprisingly, findings suggested that wanting sex and consenting to sex were closely related; on average, the rape group wanted the sexual intercourse significantly less than the consensual sex group. However, also as expected, there were large within-group variations in the wantedness of women’s consensual and nonconsensual sexual experiences; the results demonstrated that individuals some- times consent to unwanted sex and sometimes do not consent to wanted sex. These findings provide some evidence of construct validity.
Other Information
With appropriate citation, the Sexual Wanting Scale may be copied and used for educational and research purposes without permission. The authors would appreciate receiving a summary of any research utilizing this scale.
1Address correspondence to Zoë Peterson, Department of Psychology, 325 Stadler Hall, University of Missouri-St. Louis, One University Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63121; e-mail: [email protected]
Sexual Wanting Questionnaire
Indicate whether each statement was true for you shortly before the sexual activity started.
- If this statement was not true for you at the time, check Not True and go to the next line.
- If this statement was true for you at the time, then check True.
Circle a number from −3 to 3 indicating how much, if at all, it was a reason for not wanting or wanting to engage in sexual inter- course, based on the scale below.
It was a reason for not wanting to engage in the sexual activity | It had no influence | It was a reason for wanting to engage in the sexual activity |
−3 −2 −1
a strong a moderate a weak reason reason reason for not wanting to have sex |
0
not a reason for wanting or not wanting to have sex |
1 2 3
a weak a moderate a strong reason reason reason for wanting to have sex |
Was this statement true for you shortly before the sexual activity began? | Not True Check and go to the next line | True Check and then circle your rating |
A reason for A reason for not wanting the wanting sexual activity the sexual activity |
||||||||||||||||||||||
1a. I was sexually aroused before the sexual intercourse began. |
−3 −2 −1 |
0 |
1 2 3 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
1b. I was not sexually aroused before the sexual
intercourse began. |
−3 −2 −1 |
0 |
1 2 3 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
2a. I expected to be aroused during the sexual
intercourse. |
−3 −2 −1 |
0 |
1 2 3 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
2b. I did not expect to be aroused during the sexual
intercourse. |
−3 −2 −1 |
0 |
1 2 3 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
3a. I felt interested in and excited about the
possibility of the sexual act. |
−3 −2 −1 |
0 |
1 2 3 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
3b. I felt indifferent about the possibility of the
sexual act; I didn’t care one way or another. |
−3 −2 −1 |
0 |
1 2 3 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
3c. I felt uninterested in and bored about the
possibility of the sexual act. |
−3 −2 −1 |
0 |
1 2 3 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
4a. I felt comfortable about my body. | −3 −2 −1 | 0 | 1 2 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
4b. I felt uncomfortable about my body. | −3 −2 −1 | 0 | 1 2 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
5. I felt disgusted or revolted by the possibility of
the sexual intercourse. |
−3 −2 −1 |
0 |
1 2 3 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
6a. I found the other person physically attractive. | −3 | −2 | −1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
6b. I found the other person physically unattractive. | −3 | −2 | −1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
7a. I liked the other person. | −3 | −2 | −1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
7b. I disliked the other person. | −3 | −2 | −1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
8. I didn’t know the other person well. | −3 | −2 | −1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
9a. The sexual activity in question was socially
acceptable. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
9b. The sexual activity in question was socially
unacceptable. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
10. I felt curious to try sexual intercourse with this
person in this situation. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
11a. There was a good location available (it was
comfortable, there was privacy, etc.). |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
11b. There was a problem with the location (it was
uncomfortable, there was little privacy, etc.). |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
12a. I was in the mood to engage in sexual
intercourse. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
12b. I was not in the mood to engage in sexual
intercourse. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
13a. I found the other person’s behavior appealing
or attractive in this situation. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
13b. The other person’s behavior was unappealing
or obnoxious in this situation. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
14. It seemed that the other person wanted to engage in the sexual intercourse at least to some
degree. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
15. It seemed that the other person was at least somewhat reluctant to engage in the sexual
intercourse. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
16a. I expected emotional closeness during this
sexual activity. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
16b. I did not expect emotional closeness during this
sexual activity. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
17. There would have been a great deal of physical
closeness during this sexual activity. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
18. I expected the sexual intercourse to be painful
or physically uncomfortable. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
19. I expected the sexual intercourse to be
pleasurable. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
20a. I was not intoxicated (on alcohol or drugs). | −3 | −2 | −1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
20b. I was mildly intoxicated (on alcohol or drugs). | −3 | −2 | −1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
20c. I was extremely intoxicated (on alcohol or drugs). | −3 | −2 | −1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
21a. The other person was not intoxicated (on
alcohol or drugs). |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
21b. The other person was mildly intoxicated (on
alcohol or drugs). |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
21c. The other person was extremely intoxicated
(on alcohol or drugs). |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
22a. The other person consented (or agreed) to
engage in the sexual intercourse. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
22b. The other person did not consent (or agree) to
engage in the sexual intercourse. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
23. I felt that engaging in the sexual intercourse
would make me feel uncomfortable because it would be going against my morals and values. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
24. I or the other person was menstruating. | −3 | −2 | −1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
25. I was nervous about my ability to perform
sexual intercourse. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
26. I was confident about my ability to perform
sexual intercourse. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
27. I felt physically unwell or sick. | −3 | −2 | −1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
28. It would have been my first time engaging in the
sexual activity in question. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
29a. | I was a virgin. | −3 | −2 | −1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
29b. | I was not a virgin. | −3 | −2 | −1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
30a. The other person was a virgin. | −3 | −2 | −1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
30b. The other person was not a virgin. | −3 | −2 | −1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
31. I thought that, if I had sex, I might get a sexually
transmitted disease. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
32. I thought I might give the other person a
sexually transmitted disease. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
33. I thought I might get pregnant or get the other
person pregnant. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
34. I thought I might get into trouble (e.g., with my
parents, my boss, the police). |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
35. I thought I might feel bad or guilty because it was
against my morals or values. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
36. I thought I might feel bad or guilty because it was
against my parents’ morals or values. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
37. I thought my parents might find out. | −3 | −2 | −1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
38. I thought that having sex would improve my
self-esteem or self-image at least in some ways. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
39. I thought that having sex would harm my
self-esteem or self-image at least in some ways. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
40a. I thought it would improve my reputation
among my female friends and acquaintances. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
40b. I thought it would harm my reputation among
my female friends and acquaintances. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
41a. I thought it would improve my reputation
among my male friends and acquaintances. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
41b. I thought it would harm my reputation among
my male friends and acquaintances. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
42. I thought it would prevent me from doing
something else I needed to do (e.g., studying, going to work). |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
43. I thought it would prevent me from doing something else fun or pleasant (e.g., watching
TV, going to a movie). |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
44a. I thought it would make the other person happy. | −3 | −2 | −1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
44b. I thought it would make the other person unhappy | −3 | −2 | −1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
45. I thought it would give me something to talk
about with friends and acquaintances. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
46. I thought that, if I had sex, the other person
might think I was cheap or easy. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
47. I thought it might result in my getting something
I really needed (e.g., food, money, transportation, shelter). |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
48. I thought it might result in my getting something
I really wanted (e.g., a gift, a vacation). |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
49. I felt like it would fulfill my obligation to the
other person. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
50. I thought that it would demonstrate my love for
the other person. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
51. I thought that it would make me feel closer to
the other person. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
52. I thought that it would make the other person
fall in love with me. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
53. I thought that it would make me feel needed or
wanted. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
54. I thought that it would result in the other person
doing something I wanted. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
55. I felt like it would be fair to the other person
because, in the past, he/she had engaged in sexual intercourse with me when I wanted to. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
56. I thought that it would result in my being accused
of rape or sexual coercion. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
57. I thought that I might regret it later. | −3 | −2 | −1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
58. I thought that the other person might regret
it later. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
59. I thought that having sex would strengthen my
relationship with the other person in some ways. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
60. I thought that having sex would damage my
relationship with the other person in some ways. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
61. I thought that it might lead to a steady
relationship with the other person. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
62. I thought that it would cause the other person
to stop pressuring me. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
63. It would have been “cheating,” and I was afraid
that it would damage my relationship with my spouse or steady dating partner. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
64. It would have been “cheating,” and I was afraid
that it would hurt my spouse or steady dating partner. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
65a. I wanted to be more sexually experienced. | −3 | −2 | −1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
65b. I did not want to be more sexually experienced. | −3 | −2 | −1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
66. I wanted to avoid hurting the other person’s
feelings. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
67. Refusing sex would have made me feel guilty. | −3 | −2 | −1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
68. I was afraid that, if I refused, the other person
would become angry. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
69. I was afraid that, if I refused, the other person
might harm me physically. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
70. There was nothing else to do. | −3 | −2 | −1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
71. I was afraid that, if I refused, the other person might accuse me of being a tease or leading
him/her on. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
72. I was afraid that, if I refused, the other person
might think I was ungrateful because he/she had done something for me. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
73. I was afraid that refusing would make me seem
selfish. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
74. I was afraid that, if I refused, the other person
might try to force me to do it. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
75. I was afraid that the other person would be
disappointed if we didn’t have sex. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
76. I thought that this was my only chance to have
sex with this person—that it was now or never. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
77. I was afraid that, if I refused, the other person
might carry out some threat against me. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
78. This was an experience that I didn’t want to
miss out on. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
79a. I felt like having sex would have made me feel
powerful. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
79b. I felt like having sex would have made me feel
powerless. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
80. I thought that refusing might damage my
relationship with the other person at least in some ways. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
81. I thought that refusing might strengthen my relationship with the other person at least in
some ways. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
82. I was afraid that, if I refused, the other person
might break up with me. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
83. I was afraid that, if I refused, the other person
might have sex with someone else. |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
84. It was a situation where sex was expected (e.g., it was prom night; the other person was my
girlfriend/boyfriend visiting from out of town, etc.). |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
Overall, how much did you want or not want to engage in the sexual act itself (not considering the consequences)?
−3 | −2 | −1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Strongly | Moderately | Slightly | No | Slightly | Moderately | Strongly |
unwanted | unwanted | unwanted | opinion | wanted | wanted | wanted |
Overall, how much did you want or not want the possible consequences of engaging in the sexual activity?
−3 | −2 | −1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Strongly | Moderately | Slightly | No | Slightly | Moderately | Strongly |
unwanted | unwanted | unwanted | opinion | wanted | wanted | wanted |
Overall, how much did you want or not want to engage in sexual activity in this situation (taking into account the sexual act itself, the possible consequences of engaging in the sexual act, and the possible consequences of not engaging in the sexual act)?
−3 | −2 | −1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Strongly | Moderately | Slightly | No | Slightly | Moderately | Strongly |
unwanted | unwanted | unwanted | opinion | wanted | wanted | wanted |
References
Muehlenhard, C. L., & Cook, S. W. (1988). Men’s self-reports of unwanted sexual activity. The Journal of Sex Research, 24, 58–72.
Muehlenhard, C. L., & Peterson, Z. D. (2005). Wanting and not wanting sex: The missing discourse of ambivalence. Feminism and Psychology, 15, 15–20.
Muehlenhard, C. L., Peterson, Z. D., MacPherson, L. A., & Blair, R. L. (2002, June). First experiences with sexual intercourse: Wanted, unwanted, or both? Application of a multidimensional model. Paper presented at the Midcontinent and Eastern Region Joint Conference of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, Big Rapids, MI.
O’Sullivan, L. F., & Allgeier, E. R. (1998). Feigning sexual desire: Consenting to unwanted sexual activity in heterosexual dating rela- tionships. The Journal of Sex Research, 35, 234–243.
O’Sullivan, L. F., & Gaines, M. E. (1998). Decision-making in college students’ heterosexual dating relationships: Ambivalence about engag- ing in sexual activity. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 15, 347–363.
Peterson, Z. D., & Muehlenhard, C. L. (2007). Conceptualizing the “wantedness” of women’s consensual and nonconsensual sexual experiences: Implications for how women label their experiences with rape. The Journal of Sex Research, 44, 72–88.