Eysenck Inventory of Attitudes to Sex, EIAS (Eysenck Inventory of Attitudes to Sex) – a personality assessment tool published by H. Eysenck in 1989. The method is based on Eysenck’s personality theory and is designed to examine individual attitudes related to sexuality. In addition to assessing sexual attitudes, it is used to explore factors associated with relationship satisfaction, patterns of sexual behaviour, and dimensions traditionally described as femininity–masculinity.
The inventory includes 14 broad scales:
- Permissiveness (Permissiveness).
The Permissiveness scale assesses openness to diverse forms of sexual expression and willingness to engage in exploratory or unconventional sexual behaviour. It reflects the extent to which an individual accepts a wide range of sexual practices and shows interest in new or non‑traditional aspects of sexuality.
- Satisfaction (Satisfaction).
This scale evaluates the current level of sexual satisfaction, reflecting the individual’s overall sense of fulfilment within their sexual life.
- Sexual Neuroticism (Neurotic sex).
The Sexual Neuroticism scale examines tendencies toward anxiety, tension, or negative emotional responses related to sexuality. It assesses the degree to which sexual situations may evoke stress, uncertainty, or discomfort.
- Impersonal Sex (Ampersonal sex).
This scale reflects the inclination toward impersonal sexual encounters, characterised by viewing a sexual partner primarily as a source of physical gratification without seeking emotional connection or considering personal characteristics or individuality.
- Pornography (Pornography).
The Pornography scale explores attitudes toward pornographic materials and their perceived role in sexual behaviour and sexual representations. It assesses interest, frequency of use, and personal views on ethical or normative aspects associated with pornography, helping to identify individual preferences and attitudes in this domain.
- Sexual Shyness (Sexual shyness).
The Sexual Shyness scale measures tendencies toward inhibition or uncertainty in sexual contexts. It evaluates the degree of discomfort when discussing sexual topics, initiating sexual contact, or expressing sexual needs, providing insight into levels of social anxiety and personal comfort within intimate situations.
- Prudishness (Prudishness).
The Prudishness scale examines moral beliefs and attitudes toward sexuality. It reflects adherence to traditional sexual norms and values, including views on fidelity, premarital abstinence, monogamy, and the acceptability of sexual expression in social contexts. The scale helps to identify individual value orientations related to sexuality and their relevance for sexual behaviour and intimate relationships.
- Sexual Disgust (Sexual disgust).
The Sexual Disgust scale assesses individual reactions to sexual themes and activities. It evaluates the degree of discomfort or aversion experienced when encountering various aspects of sexuality. The scale provides insight into how strongly and in which situations negative emotions arise in response to sexual content, and how these reactions may influence sexual attitudes and behaviour.
- Sexual Excitability (Sexual excitement).
The Sexual Excitability scale measures responsiveness to sexual stimuli and the tendency to experience arousal in sexual situations. It helps to understand how sexual factors influence behaviour and emotional states, as well as how an individual reacts to sexual opportunities or cues. The scale highlights individual differences in sexual excitability and overall interest in sexual aspects of life.
- Physical Sex (Physical sex).
The Physical Sex scale focuses on preferences related to the physical dimension of sexual activity. It evaluates the importance of physical contact—such as touch, kissing, embracing, and other forms of bodily intimacy—compared with emotional or psychological components. The scale provides insight into individual preferences and perceptions of physical closeness and intimacy.
- Aggressive Sex (Agressive sex).
The Aggressive Sex scale examines tendencies toward aggressive or dominance‑oriented behaviour in sexual interactions. It focuses on identifying patterns in which sexual activity may be used as a means of control, influence, or establishing power dynamics within a relationship. A higher score may indicate a stronger inclination toward controlling or forceful behaviour in sexual contexts, including a preference for dominance in intimate situations. The scale provides insight into individual attitudes and preferences related to sexual aggression, contributing to a broader understanding of psychological aspects of sexual behaviour.
- Sexual Libido (Sexual libido).
The Sexual Libido scale assesses the intensity and direction of sexual desire. It evaluates how strongly and how frequently sexual interest is experienced, as well as the presence of specific fantasies or desires. Higher scores typically reflect a more pronounced interest in sexual activity and a greater tendency to think about or seek sexual experiences, while lower scores indicate a less intense level of sexual desire. This does not imply an absence of enjoyment, but rather a lower degree of initiative or preoccupation with sexual themes.
- Sexual Satisfaction (Sexual satisfaction).
The Sexual Satisfaction scale measures the individual’s perceived fulfilment within their sexual life. It includes aspects such as frequency of sexual activity, quality of intimacy, sexual responsiveness, communication, and overall satisfaction with sexual experiences. The scale helps to identify how content a person feels with their sexual life and which areas may benefit from adjustment or improvement.
- Masculinity–Femininity (Masculinity – femininity).
The Masculinity–Femininity scale assesses individual characteristics traditionally associated with masculine or feminine behavioural patterns. It does not evaluate satisfaction with sexual life; instead, it focuses on personality traits, behavioural tendencies, and stylistic preferences that align with culturally defined dimensions of masculinity and femininity. The scale provides insight into how these traits are expressed and how they relate to broader aspects of personality.