TY - JOUR
T1 - Self-reports of nipple erection in emotional and somatic contexts
AU - Harrison, Marissa A.
AU - Jones, Katee
AU - Hughes, Susan M.
AU - LeFevre, Amy J.
PY - 2013/6
Y1 - 2013/6
N2 - Previous research has largely ignored examining nipple erection in nonsexual situations. We hypothesized that both women and men experience nonsexual nipple erection under emotional and somatic (nonsexual) conditions that trigger autonomic arousal and sought to document nonsexual triggers and instances of nipple erection in various contexts. As predicted, self-reports from 181 college students indicated that individuals experience nipple erection when under stress, frightened, and anxious. Participants also reported often experiencing nipple erection concurrently with piloerection ("goose bumps"). In addition, participants reported nipple erection self-vigilance and concealment in nonsexual situations, suggesting awareness that nipple erection may communicate a target's emotional and somatic arousal. Implications and limitations to these exploratory findings are discussed.
AB - Previous research has largely ignored examining nipple erection in nonsexual situations. We hypothesized that both women and men experience nonsexual nipple erection under emotional and somatic (nonsexual) conditions that trigger autonomic arousal and sought to document nonsexual triggers and instances of nipple erection in various contexts. As predicted, self-reports from 181 college students indicated that individuals experience nipple erection when under stress, frightened, and anxious. Participants also reported often experiencing nipple erection concurrently with piloerection ("goose bumps"). In addition, participants reported nipple erection self-vigilance and concealment in nonsexual situations, suggesting awareness that nipple erection may communicate a target's emotional and somatic arousal. Implications and limitations to these exploratory findings are discussed.
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U2 - 10.11133/j.tpr.2013.63.3.006
DO - 10.11133/j.tpr.2013.63.3.006
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84880877592
SN - 0033-2933
VL - 63
SP - 489
EP - 500
JO - Psychological Record
JF - Psychological Record
IS - 3
ER -