Erotic Response Scale (EROS)
Attraction to men and to women measured as two separate dimensions
Most models put sexual orientation on a single line — straight at one end, gay at the other. EROS uses a different approach: it measures attraction to men and attraction to women as two separate dimensions. You can be high on both, low on both, or somewhere in between. 16 items, about 5–8 minutes.
How Does the EROS Measure Sexual Orientation?
Most models put sexuality on a single line — straight at one end, gay at the other. The Erotic Response Orientation Scale (EROS) takes a different approach: it measures attraction to men and attraction to women as two separate dimensions. You can score high on both, low on both, or anywhere in between.
Storms proposed this two-dimensional model in 1980, arguing that homoeroticism and heteroeroticism are independent, not opposites. The scale has been in use ever since.
Two Independent Dimensions
- Androeroticism (8 items): Erotic response to males — attraction, arousal, and fantasies directed toward men
- Gynoeroticism (8 items): Erotic response to females — attraction, arousal, and fantasies directed toward women
Scoring
Each item uses a 7-point frequency scale. Scores are calculated separately for the two dimensions (8 items each, range 8–56), then combined into one of four quadrants:
| Androeroticism | Gynoeroticism | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| :---: | :---: | :--- |
| Low | High | Heterosexual |
| High | Low | Homosexual |
| High | High | Bisexual |
| Low | Low | Asexual |
Practical Use
The EROS is one of the earliest scales to operationalize the two-dimensional model of sexual orientation. It's used in sexual orientation research, identity development studies, and clinical assessments where a nuanced view of attraction matters more than a single label. The two-factor structure has been replicated across multiple samples.
References: Storms, M. D. (1980). Theories of sexual orientation. *Journal of Personality and Social Psychology*, 38(5), 783–792.
Result Interpretation
After completing the 16 questions, you'll receive an immediate, detailed report with:
- Your score — calculated automatically based on your responses
- Score interpretation — what your score means in practical terms
- Dimension breakdown — separate scores for each sub-scale
- Context — how your results compare to general population norms where available
All results are displayed on screen. No account or login needed.