Sexual Inhibition/Sexual Excitation Scales (SIS/SES)
Dual Control Model: Gas and Brakes
Ever wonder what makes you tick (or not) in sexual situations? This 45-question scale measures your tendency to get aroused -- and your tendency to hold back. About 10 minutes.
What Is the SIS/SES?
Ever wonder why you respond the way you do to sexual situations? The SIS/SES is built around a pretty intuitive idea: your sexual response has two separate control systems -- one that hits the gas (sexual excitation) and one that hits the brakes (sexual inhibition).
Developed by Janssen and colleagues in 2002, this 45-question scale breaks it down into three dimensions:
- SES (Sexual Excitation): How easily you get aroused by sexual cues -- sights, sounds, touch, even imagination.
- SIS1 (Inhibition -- Performance Failure): How easily anxiety, distraction, or worry about performing shuts things down.
- SIS2 (Inhibition -- Consequences): How much the risk of external consequences (pregnancy, STIs, being caught) puts a damper on things.
Quick facts
- 45 items, 4-point scale (agree to disagree)
- About 10 minutes to complete
- For both men and women
- A research tool, not a clinical diagnosis
Scoring Guide
All items reverse-scored, summed by subscale. SES range 20-80, SIS1 range 14-56, SIS2 range 11-44. Higher scores = stronger tendency.Result Interpretation
After completing the 45 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.