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PloS One 2022What is difficult is not usually pleasurable. Yet, for certain unfamiliar figurative language, like that which is common in poetry, while comprehension is often more...
What is difficult is not usually pleasurable. Yet, for certain unfamiliar figurative language, like that which is common in poetry, while comprehension is often more difficult than for more conventional language, it is in many cases more pleasurable. Concentrating our investigation on verb-based metaphors, we examined whether and to what degree the novel variations (in the form of verb changes and extensions) of conventional verb metaphors were both more difficult to comprehend and yet induced more pleasure. To test this relationship, we developed a set of 62 familiar metaphor stimuli, each with corresponding optimal and excessive verb variation and metaphor extension conditions, and normed these stimuli using both objective measures and participant subjective ratings. We then tested the pleasure-difficulty relationship with an online behavioral study. Based on Rachel Giora and her colleagues' 'optimal innovation hypothesis', we anticipated an inverse U-shaped relationship between ease and pleasure, with an optimal degree of difficulty, introduced by metaphor variations, producing the highest degree of pleasure when compared to familiar or excessive conditions. Results, however, revealed a more complex picture, with only metaphor extension conditions (not verb variation conditions) producing the anticipated pleasure effects. Individual differences in semantic cognition and verbal reasoning assessed using the Semantic Similarities Test, while clearly influential, further complicated the pleasure-difficulty relationship, suggesting an important avenue for further investigation.
Topics: Adult; Comprehension; Female; Humans; Male; Metaphor; Pleasure; Poetry as Topic; Reaction Time; Semantics
PubMed: 35148355
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263781 -
Schizophrenia Research Mar 2022It has been suggested that schizophrenia is associated with deficits in anticipatory but not consummatory pleasure, though there is mixed support for this hypothesis. As...
It has been suggested that schizophrenia is associated with deficits in anticipatory but not consummatory pleasure, though there is mixed support for this hypothesis. As individuals with schizophrenia can experience both negative and depressive symptoms, symptom heterogeneity in this population could contribute to these mixed hedonic findings. Specifically, while some research suggests that negative symptoms of schizophrenia are related to reduced anticipatory but not consummatory pleasure, research on major depressive disorder suggests that depressive symptoms are associated with both decreased anticipatory and consummatory pleasure. Still, it is unclear whether depressive symptoms are associated with experiences of pleasure in schizophrenia as they are in major depressive disorder. Thus, the present study used Ecological Momentary Assessment (four prompts per day over one week) to investigate the unique relationships of negative and depressive symptoms with daily reports of real-world anticipatory and consummatory pleasure in 63 individuals with schizophrenia. Higher negative symptoms related to reduced anticipatory but not consummatory pleasure. On the other hand, higher depressive symptoms related to reductions in both anticipatory and consummatory pleasure. Overall, these results indicate that negative and depressive symptoms are differentially associated with hedonic experience in schizophrenia, and suggest the need to account for the severity of both these symptom types when examining pleasure in this population. Elucidating the nature of these symptom contributions to hedonic impairments could increase causal understanding of these deficits and contribute to the development of more targeted treatments to enhance motivation and pleasure in schizophrenia.
Topics: Anhedonia; Anticipation, Psychological; Depression; Depressive Disorder, Major; Humans; Pleasure; Schizophrenia; Schizophrenic Psychology
PubMed: 35091389
DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2022.01.012 -
Journal of Sex Research Sep 2021While researchers have thoroughly studied the who, what, and when of first sexual experiences, we know much less about how people construct, experience, and proceed (or... (Review)
Review
While researchers have thoroughly studied the who, what, and when of first sexual experiences, we know much less about how people construct, experience, and proceed (or not) with sexual pleasure in these experiences and beyond. To address this knowledge gap, the Global Advisory Board for Sexual Health and Wellbeing (GAB) coordinated a rapid review of published peer-reviewed research to determine what is currently known about sexual pleasure in first sexual experiences. We found 23 papers exploring this subject and its intersections with sexual health and sexual rights. The results reveal significant gaps in erotic education, gender equity, vulnerability and connection, and communication efficacy; and highlight important domains to consider in future research. Our findings draw out the key features of pleasurable first sexual experience(s), namely that individuals with the agency to formulate their definition and context of what pleasure means to them are more likely to experience pleasure at first sex. This finding points to promising ways to improve first sexual experiences through erotic skills building and through addressing knowledge gaps about having sex for the first time among disadvantaged groups.
Topics: Erotica; Humans; Pleasure; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Health
PubMed: 33871295
DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2021.1904810 -
Archives of Sexual Behavior Nov 2022This qualitative study aimed to examine the experiences and attitudes toward masturbation among emerging adult women. The study was the first to compare women's solo and...
This qualitative study aimed to examine the experiences and attitudes toward masturbation among emerging adult women. The study was the first to compare women's solo and partnered masturbation experiences, focusing on how feelings of pleasure, sexual desire, and a sense of empowerment-important markers of women's sexual subjectivity-varied across the two contexts. The sample consisted of 40 women between the ages of 18 and 22 years. The majority of participants identified as Latina (33%) or Black (30%) and were enrolled in community college. Semi-structured interviews about women's masturbation experiences were analyzed using thematic analysis. Women described a multitude of feelings, including pleasure but also awkwardness and guilt. Although women did not describe their masturbation practices as morally wrong, they often alluded to disliking masturbation and preferring it less to partnered sex. Whereas some attitudes and feelings (e.g., awkwardness) arose in the context of both solo and partnered masturbation encounters, others were prevalent only in one (e.g., guilt in the solo encounters). Feelings of pleasure, sexual desire, and empowerment manifested differently in the two contexts. There was more focus on self-knowledge, control, and physical pleasure in the solo encounters and more enjoyment of a partner's desire and intimacy in the partnered encounters. We examine the findings through a feminist lens and consider how race/ethnicity, sexual scripts, and contemporary societal contexts shape women's sexual lives.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Adolescent; Young Adult; Male; Masturbation; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Partners; Libido; Pleasure
PubMed: 36036871
DOI: 10.1007/s10508-022-02390-9 -
Asian Journal of Psychiatry Mar 2023Emotion-behaviour decoupling refers to the failure to translate emotion into motivated behaviour, and is a putative marker for schizophrenia. The heterogeneity of...
BACKGROUND
Emotion-behaviour decoupling refers to the failure to translate emotion into motivated behaviour, and is a putative marker for schizophrenia. The heterogeneity of experiential pleasure and emotion expressivity deficits has been reported in schizophrenia patients. These three constructs are believed to contribute to negative symptoms, but very few studies have examined their predictive ability for clinical and functional outcome of schizophrenia. This study aimed to clarify whether these three constructs influence clinical and functional outcome of schizophrenia.
METHOD
At baseline, 127 first-episode schizophrenia patients completed a behavioural paradigm for emotion-behaviour decoupling, and self-report scales for experiential pleasure and emotion expressivity deficits. Cluster-analysis was applied to characterize schizophrenia subgroups based on these three constructs. At end-point (mean follow-up = 5.37 years, SD = 1.03 years), 85 schizophrenia patients were reassessed using the Clinical Assessment Interview for Negative Symptoms (CAINS) and a clinician-rated social functioning scale.
RESULTS
Cluster 1 (n = 74) did not show emotion-behaviour decoupling, and had intact experiential pleasure and emotion expressivity. Cluster 2 (n = 29) showed emotion-behaviour decoupling and experiential pleasure deficits. Cluster 3 (n = 24) showed emotion expressivity deficits. At endpoint, the three clusters differed significantly in CAINS MAP factor (p = 0.016) and social functioning (p = 0.019), but not CAINS EXP factor. Specifically, Cluster 2 (n = 18) showed more severe negative symptoms of CAINS MAP factor (p = 0.046) and poorer social functioning (p = 0.022) than Cluster 1 (n = 49). Cluster 3 (n = 18) did not differ from Cluster 1 and Cluster 2 in negative symptoms and social functioning.
DISCUSSION
Emotion-behaviour decoupling and experiential pleasure deficits predicted clinical and functional outcome of schizophrenia.
Topics: Humans; Schizophrenia; Pleasure; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Emotions; Self Report
PubMed: 36669292
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2023.103467 -
American Journal of Public Health Feb 2020
Topics: Humans; Pleasure; Public Health
PubMed: 31913673
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2019.305496 -
Global Public Health May 2021This special issue of brings together papers examining how sexuality, gender, health and human rights have become increasing visible and highly contested within global...
This special issue of brings together papers examining how sexuality, gender, health and human rights have become increasing visible and highly contested within global health. The papers included here question and explore the often contradictory processes through which global equity-seeking populations negotiate pleasure and danger across multiple arenas (including HIV and AIDS, LGBTQ+ health and rights, intersex rights, sex worker rights, realities of refugee and displaced persons, and gender-based violence) and in diverse geographic contexts (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Canada, Ghana, Haiti, Kenya, Mauritania, Nigeria, Peru, Rwanda, and the USA). These papers examine emerging questions about the gaps and limits in current legal structures that do not legitimize sexual rights as fundamental human rights, the role of agency (and of bounded agency) needed to navigate constrained contexts, ways in which community-based solidarity efforts shape access to sexual rights, and how sexual pleasure and consent are experienced and negotiated in rights-constrained contexts. The interdisciplinary authors included in this collection showcase how the ranging definitions of sexual rights, their enactment, and expressions of pleasure and danger are inextricably entangled with local contexts and cultural systems that underpin not only people's lived experience but simultaneously become central topics for global health research, policy and practice.
Topics: Global Health; Human Rights; Humans; Pleasure; Politics; Sexual Behavior; Sexuality
PubMed: 33904384
DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2021.1893373 -
PsyCh Journal Apr 2023Emotion processing and beliefs about pleasure can influence the development and severity of depressive symptoms. This cluster analysis study aimed to profile a large...
Emotion processing and beliefs about pleasure can influence the development and severity of depressive symptoms. This cluster analysis study aimed to profile a large sample of college students using pleasure experience, emotion expression and regulation as well as beliefs about pleasure. We also aimed to validate the resultant clusters in terms of depressive symptoms. A set of checklists capturing beliefs about pleasure and the three facets of emotion processing was administered to 1028 college students. A two-stage cluster analysis was used to analyze the profile of these emotional aspects in these college students. Our results showed that a three-cluster solution best fit the data. Cluster 1 (n = 536) was characterized by moderate levels of beliefs about pleasure, pleasure experience, emotion expression, and regulation; Cluster 2 (n = 402) was characterized by generally high levels of beliefs about pleasure, pleasure experience, emotion expression, and regulation; Cluster 3 (n = 90) was characterized by relatively low levels of beliefs about pleasure, pleasure experience, emotion expression, and regulation. The three clusters differed significantly in the severity of depressive symptoms. Our findings suggest the existence of three emotional subtypes, which may be useful in early detection of youth at risk of developing depression.
Topics: Adolescent; Humans; Emotions; Pleasure; Students; Cluster Analysis
PubMed: 36428096
DOI: 10.1002/pchj.620 -
The Journal of Sexual Medicine Jan 2023The role of the cervix in sexual response has been poorly studied, despite previous research indicating that some women experience pleasurable sexual sensations from...
BACKGROUND
The role of the cervix in sexual response has been poorly studied, despite previous research indicating that some women experience pleasurable sexual sensations from cervical stimulation; given previous reports of sexual issues after cervix electrocautery, it is possible that cervical injury may compromise the role of the cervix in sexual functioning.
AIM
The aims of this study were to examine locations of pleasurable sexual sensations, to identify sexual communication barriers, and to investigate if cervical procedures are associated with negative impacts on sexual function.
METHODS
Women with (n = 72) and without (n = 235) a history of a gynecological procedure completed an online survey assessing demographics, medical history, sexual function (including locations of sexual pleasure and pain on diagrams), and barriers. The procedure group was divided into subgroups of those who had experienced a cervical (n = 47) or noncervical (n = 25) procedure. Chi-square analyses and t tests were conducted.
OUTCOMES
Outcomes included locations and ratings of pleasurable and painful sexual stimulation, as well as sexual function.
RESULTS
Over 16% of participants reported experiencing some pleasurable sexual sensations from the cervix. The gynecological procedure group (n = 72) reported significantly higher pain in the vagina and lower rates of pleasure in their external genitals, vagina, deep vagina, anterior and posterior vaginal walls, and clitoris vs the non-gynecological procedure (n = 235) group. The gynecological procedure group and the cervical procedure subgroup (n = 47) reported significant decreases in desire, arousal, and lubrication and increased avoidance of sexual activity due to vaginal dryness. The gynecological procedure group reported significant pain with vaginal stimulation, whereas the cervical subgroup identified significant pain with cervical and clitoral stimulation.
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
Cervical stimulation elicits some pleasurable sexual sensations for many women, and gynecological procedures that affect the cervix are associated with pain and sexual issues; thus, health care providers should counsel patients about the possibility of related sexual concerns.
STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS
This study is the first to examine locations of pleasure and pain and experiences of sexual pleasure and function in participants who underwent a gynecological procedure. A hybrid measure was used to assess sexual issues, including symptoms of dysfunction.
CONCLUSION
Results indicate an association between cervical procedures and sexual issues, supporting the need to inform patients of this possibility following cervical procedures.
Topics: Humans; Female; Cervix Uteri; Sexual Behavior; Pain; Pleasure; Sensation; Vagina
PubMed: 36897237
DOI: 10.1093/jsxmed/qdac010 -
Psychiatry Research Mar 2021Anticipation of pleasure - a key aspect of hedonic experience - is a motivating factor for engaging in activities. Low levels of anticipatory pleasure and activity are...
Anticipation of pleasure - a key aspect of hedonic experience - is a motivating factor for engaging in activities. Low levels of anticipatory pleasure and activity are found in individuals with psychosis. Cognitive factors (e.g., working memory and IQ) have been a focus of explanation for anticipation of pleasure in psychosis. However, cognitive factors do not fully account for such difficulties. It is plausible that emotional factors (e.g., depression, self-beliefs) also contribute. We examined anticipatory pleasure in relation to cognitive and emotional processes in patients with current psychosis. 128 patients with persecutory delusions in the context of non-affective psychosis completed assessments of anticipatory pleasure, cognitive functioning, emotional processes, and activity. Lower anticipatory pleasure was significantly associated with depression, insomnia, negative-self beliefs, suicidal ideation, poorer psychological wellbeing, and paranoia-related avoidance. There were no significant associations with working memory, physical activity, or meaningful activity. Emotional factors may play a more significant role than cognitive difficulties in the experience of anhedonia in psychosis. However, the cross-sectional design precludes causal inferences. Future research should examine whether, for example, improving self-concept or reducing paranoia-related avoidance leads to improvement in anticipatory pleasure in patients with psychosis.
Topics: Adult; Anhedonia; Anticipation, Psychological; Cognition; Cross-Sectional Studies; Emotions; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Paranoid Disorders; Pleasure; Psychotic Disorders
PubMed: 33465523
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113697