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
Finish the 16 questions and you get your results straight away — no account, no sign-up, no waiting.
We calculate your total from your answers, then give you a plain-language explanation of what the numbers mean. Where a test has sub-scales, each dimension gets its own score. Whenever possible, we also show how your results compare to population norms.
详细报告 📊
Get an in-depth analysis with dimension breakdowns, population comparisons, and actionable recommendations.