ABSTRACT

This chapter describes self-control perspective on sexual behavior and sexual risk and presents research illustrating self-control processes in sexual behavior, structured according to the components of an integrative model of self-control. It starts with an overview of research on the role of desires and long-term goals in sexual behavior and sexual risk. The chapter considers individual differences in sexual dispositions and situational influences that affect the strength of sexual desire, and next research showing that situational, individual, and contextual factors can affect the strength and impact of higher-order, sexual health goals. It presents a research showing that dispositional and situational capacity for self-control is associated with less sexual risk-taking and can mitigate impulsive influences on sexual risk. Evidence of the influence of sexual desire on sexual behavior and risk is also gleaned from correlational research into pornography consumption and online sexual partner seeking. Despite the noted limitations, the research reviewed broadly provides support for a self-control perspective of sexual behavior.