Differential effects of a misattribution manipulation on sexually functional and dysfunctional men

Ten sexually functional and 10 dysfunctional men viewed sexually explicit films following ingestion of each of three placebo pills described as an erection enhancement pill, an erection detraction pill, and a placebo pill. Functionals evidenced a reverse placebo effect with significantly higher erectile response under the detraction relative to the enhancement and placebo conditions. Dysfunctionals evidenced a direct placebo effect with significantly lower erectile response under the detraction relative to the enhancement and placebo conditions. Fifteen Ss (75%) responded according to group patterns. Results suggest yet another arena in which functional and dysfunctional men respond in a fundamentally different manner. This pattern of differential responding may be due to relative differences in level of interoceptive awareness and/or interoceptive avoidance between functional and dysfunctional Ss and reflect on the nature of anxiety.