1 Psychology 320: Gender Psychology Lecture 39

2 3. Are there sex differences in attitudes about sex? 2. What methods do researchers use to study human sexuality? Romantic Relationships and Sexuality: 1. Do gay and lesbian romantic relationships differ from heterosexual romantic relationships? (continued)

3 (d) Factors that determine relationship satisfaction:  Same-sex couples report similar levels of relationship satisfaction as heterosexual couples (Herek, 2006; Peplau & Spalding, 2000). Do gay and lesbian romantic relationships differ from heterosexual romantic relationships? (continued)

4  Moreover, the factors associated with relationship satisfaction among heterosexuals are also associated with relationship satisfaction among lesbians and gay men (e.g., gender roles, equity, relationship standards, female vs. female characteristics/male vs. male characteristics, relationship conflict; Herek, 2006; Kurdek, 2006; Kurdek & Scmitt, 1986).

5 (e) Conflict management:  Same-sex couples display more constructive conflict management than heterosexual couples.  In contrast to heterosexuals, conflict initiators in same-sex couples are more likely to use a positive tone, affection, and humour, and less likely to dominate their partner (Gottman et al., 2003).  Gay men and lesbians are less likely than heterosexuals to exhibit the demand/withdraw pattern (Kurdek, 2004).

6 What methods do researchers use to study human sexuality? Observational methods are used relatively infrequently in the study of human sexuality due to the sensitivity of the subject matter. Notable exception: Masters and Johnson (1966)  Dispelled the myth of the vaginal orgasm.  Identified four phases of the sexual response.  Demonstrated the occurrence of multiple orgasms.

7 1. Inaccurate recall of events. 2. Inaccurate estimation of frequencies. 3. Biased samples. The bulk of contemporary research on human sexuality employs self-report data. Self-report data on sexuality are susceptible to several problems: 4. Socially desirable responding: Among students in grades 6-8, 30% of females and 41% of males report responding dishonestly to questions regarding sexuality (Siegal et al., 1998).

8 Are there sex differences in attitudes about sex? Recent meta-analyses have identified sex similarities and sex differences with respect to attitudes about sex. Oliver and Hyde (1993)  Examined data from 177 papers published between ; 239 samples; 128,363 participants.  Overall, found that males reported more permissive sexual attitudes than females:

9 Attituded Homosexual civil liberties.00 Homosexuality-.01 Masturbation.09 Acceptability of double standard-.29 Extramarital sex.29 Anxiety, fear, guilt-.35 Premarital sex.37 Intercourse—engaged.43 Intercourse—committed.49 Sexual permissiveness.57 Intercourse—causal.81 Sex Comparisons for Attitudes About Sex (Oliver & Hyde, 1993)

10 3. Are there sex differences in attitudes about sex? 2. What methods do researchers use to study human sexuality? Romantic Relationships and Sexuality: 1. Do gay and lesbian romantic relationships differ from heterosexual romantic relationships? (continued)