Abstract
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*Background*
Using the [dot-probe task][1] (DPT) paradigm, previous studies have found contradictory evidence for the direction of an attention bias for sexual stimuli in a nonclinical population. This study seeks to further explore this area using the DPT and the picture recognition task (PRT).
*Methods*
Within-subjects design was employed with a sample of college students (N = 113, M*age* = 22.00, SD*age* = 4.47, 60.2 % females). All participants finished the DPT (20 training and 100 experimental trials alternating between congruent and incongruent trials) and the PRT (365 experimental trials with pictures in training, sexual and neutral condition).
*Outcomes*
The reaction times in the DPT were compared with Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The percentage of successful recognition in the PRT were compared using the mixed ANOVA with one within-subject factor (sexual, neutral, training) and one between-subjects factor (men, women).
*Results*
While no significant effect was found in the DPT (*p* = .064, r<sub>rb</sub> = .201), we found substantial effect for better remembering pictures with sexual content in the PRT (*p* < .001, η<sup>2</sup> = .427).
*Clinical Translation*
These findings together with previous studies can serve as a basis for further quality research regarding the attention bias for sexual stimuli with the final aim to study the phenomenon in a clinical population.
*Strengths & Limitations*
The main strength is the simplicity of the experimental design and the use of an established tool for the assessment of attention bias. The main limitation is that the used pictures were not balanced for colour nor for contrast.
*Conclusion*
Despite the DPT results being inconclusive the study demonstrated a large effect in the PRT and proved the need for studies explicitly designed to differentiate between the early allocation of spatial attention and the high attentional capture of sexual stimuli.
Keywords
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Sexual stimuli; Attention; Dot-probe task; Images; Picture recognition task
[1]: https://osf.io/ba5w4/wiki/The%20Dot-probe%20Task/
