Method (Cont’d) Introduction Effects of Alcohol on Sexual Decision Making Alcohol intoxication makes risky decisions and behaviors appear less risky to intoxicated women. (Fromme et al., 1999; Norris et al., 2004) Alcohol’s myopic effects may cause women to focus more on the immediate benefits of a sexual encounter than the potential risks. (Steele & Josephs, 1990; Zawacki, 2011) Effects of Fertility Status on Sexual Decision Making According to the Good Genes Sexual Selection Theory, ovulation results in a shift of focus from a long-term mating strategy to a short-term mating strategy. (Gangestad & Simpson, 2000) During high fertility, indicators of genetic quality in short-term mates (i.e. attractiveness) surpass traits women find attractive in long-term mates. The good gene trait of facial symmetry is positively related to the number of lifetime sexual partners. (Gangestad & Simpson, 2000) Attraction to a partner with a short-term mating strategy (i.e. multiple past partners) could influence a woman’s sexual decision making and risk perceptions. Present Study The present study examined the influences of alcohol consumption and fertility status on women’s sexual decision making after a speed dating interaction with a male confederate of the research team. Participants Women recruited from the San Antonio area N = 48 Single Between the ages 21 and 30 Didn’t use hormonal contraceptives within the past 3 months Had regular menstrual cycles (25-35 days) (Durante et al., 2012) Fertility assessed using the actuarial calendar method (Hazelton & Miller, 2006) These findings hold implications for alcohol myopia theory and evolutionary theories of the impact of ovulation on women’s mating strategies. Under the influence of alcohol, a woman’s fertility status could have increased influence on her perceptions of potential partners and sexual decision making. Perceiving a potential partner to be more interested in having a short-term relationship could result in increased reciprocal interest from the woman. Future Research Future research should examine the effects of alcohol and fertility status together on other aspects of dating behavior such as mate preferences, sexual decision making, and relationship satisfaction. Research reported in this presentation was supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of NIH under award number SC1DA to the 2nd author. Contact: Procedure 1.Beverage Administration: Prior to beverage administration participants met the male confederate posing as a male participant. Alcohol condition - participants received 0.45 ml/lb of 100 proof vodka mixed with lemon- lime mixer to achieve a peak BAC of about No alcohol condition - participants received lemon-lime mixer only equal to the amount she would have received in alcohol condition. 2. Social Interaction: Before the social interaction: The male confederate exited the interaction room. The participant read his dating profile survey completed in a standardized manner. During the social interaction: The participant and confederate interacted for 10 minutes. 3. Dependent Measures: Multiple items assessed participants’ perceptions of the sexual and relationship interest of their conversation partner EX: “How much would you conversation partner be interested in establishing a casual dating relationship with you?” (1 = Not at all, 7 = Very) Results (Cont’d) Discussion Results Method The Effects of Alcohol and Fertility on Women’s Sexual Decision Making Emma Altgelt, Tina Zawacki, Andrea Fernandez, Alex Wang University of Texas San Antonio Regression of Perceived Partner Interest onto Fertility Status (continuous) and Alcohol Condition (Alcohol, No Alcohol) Fertility Status was analyzed as a continuous variable by calculating participants’ risk of conception on day of participation. (Jöchle, 1973) Results showed an interaction effect that approached significance between fertility status and alcohol condition on perceived partner interest ( =.804, p =.056). Decomposing the interaction revealed a significant relationship between fertility status and perceived partner interest for participants in the alcohol condition ( =.613, p =.001). As fertility status (conception risk) increased, participants’ perceptions of their partner’s interest increased. However, there was not a significant relationship between fertility status and perceived partner interest in the no alcohol condition ( =.285, p =.158)