Study: [Sexual Attraction Under Conditions Of High Anxiety](http://ieng6.ucsd.edu/~ecotner/PSYC1/Some Evidence for Heightened Sexual Attraction Under Conditions of High Anxiety.pdf)

Short Tl;Dr of this study is in BOLD at the end of the following long Tl;Dr

Arousal on a Creaky Bridge

People who cross the Capilano Suspension Bridge do so very carefully. The narrow, 450-foot-long bridge, located just outside of Vancouver, British Columbia, is built of wood and wire cables. It has the unnerving tendency to sway, wobble, and creak in the wind, giving the impression it might flip over at any moment. For those standing on it, this would result in a 230-foot plummet onto the rocks below.

In 1974 an attractive woman approached single young men as they were crossing the bridge. Coyly gripping the low handrail to keep her balance, she asked if they would be willing to participate in a psychology experiment. She told them she was investigating “the effects of exposure to scenic attractions on creative expression.” Once they agreed, she showed them a picture of a woman holding a hand over her face and asked them to write a brief, dramatic story about it. They did this while standing on the bridge, rocking in the wind, trying not to think about the drop below. When they were done, the interviewer smiled and thanked them. Then, as though on the spur of the moment, she suggested they call her to learn more about her research. She wrote down her name, Gloria, and phone number on a scrap of paper and handed it to them.

Thirteen of the twenty men she interviewed later called. It was clear they weren’t interested in her research. They were interested in her. But the woman wasn’t on the bridge fishing for dates. Nor was she there to explore the relationship between creative expression and scenic attractions. That was just her cover story. The true purpose of the experiment was to explore the link between fear and sexual arousal.

The experiment had been designed by two researchers, Donald Dutton and Arthur Aron. They hypothesized that men would find the interviewer more attractive, and thus be more likely to call her, if they met her in a fear-inducing environment such as the Capilano Bridge.

To confirm their theory, the researchers next had the woman approach men in a calmer environment—as they were relaxing on a park bench. She offered the same explanation, “This is a psychology experiment . . . ” and again gave out her name and number. This time she identified herself as Donna.

Under these conditions, only seven of twenty-three men later called. Not a bad response rate—these were still young guys, after all—but not a terrific one. The content of the stories written by each group also showed a marked 40difference. The men on the bridge wrote stories containing far more erotic imagery. They seemed to be highly aroused by the encounter. These results suggested the existence of a link between sexual arousal and fear.

The experimenters had guessed fear would enhance sexual arousal because of the concept of “misattribution of arousal.” When we’re in a situation that prompts strong emotions, this theory suggests, we often mistakenly attribute those feelings to the person we’re with, rather than to the situation. So if you’re on a suspension bridge two hundred feet off the ground, your senses will be on high alert. Your heart will beat faster. Your palms may grow sweaty. Your stomach will wind into a knot. If an attractive woman (or man) then approaches you, you associate your feelings with the person.

You can take advantage of this insight. Scare your date. Take her to a horror movie, for a ride on a motorcycle, or on a stroll across a creaky suspension bridge. Just remember that ideally you want her to be frightened by the situation, not by you.

Source of Tl;Dr : "Elephants on Acid and other bizarre experiments" by Alex Boese.