The author begins his exploration of the utility of rational choice theory analysis in the study of sexual aggression patterns. The author begins with an overview of the development of rational choice theory and its other uses in criminology research. The author hypothesized that when subjects became sexually aroused, they were more likely to focus on the benefits of sexual coercion than to appreciate the potential costs of coercion. Subjects were randomly assigned to three different conditions. In each condition, subjects read a written scenario after viewing varied and variably arousing stimuli. Subjects were then asked whether they would engage in coercive tactics if faced with the written scenario. Subjects who were exposed to the more arousing stimuli and who in general self-reported greater sexual arousal were more likely to report that they would engage in sexually coercive conduct, thus the hypothesis was partially supported. Appendix, 6 notes, 21 references