Sex Research How do we learn new information about sex?

Today’s Coming Attractions:  How do we do sex research? Case studies Surveys Direct observation Experiments

Research Methods  Case studies  Surveys  Direct observation  Experimental studies

Case Studies  Male lost penis at circumcision - Joan / John  Transsexuals  Incest victims (survivors)  Sex offenders

Surveys  Source of most of our scientific information about sexuality  Alfred Kinsey First extensive survey of American sexual behavior

Kinsey’s Publications Sexual Behavior in the Human Male Sexual Behavior in the Human Female

Kinsey institute 

National health & Social Life Survey  Single best survey ever conducted of adult sexual behavior

Surveys of men exposed to violent pornography indicated:  Reduced sensitivity to rape victims  Increased tolerance of sexually aggressive behavior  A grater acceptance of the myth that women want to be raped

Survey samples  Population  Random sample  Self-selection bias “sample” = not representative E.g. Radio talk show listeners

Direct observation studies  Masters & Johnson Studied the sexual response cycle & physiological responses

Masters & Johnson’s Publications  Human Sexual Response  Human Sexual Inadequacy

Masters & Johnson’s Equipment  Penile strain gauge(Penile Plethysmograph)  Vaginal photoplethysmograph Measures increased vaginal blood volume Color changes

Experimental studies  E.g. Movies in sex therapy  Can make cause and effect conclusions

Variables  Independent variable The one we can control  Taped descriptions  Dependent variables Penile tumescence  Penile strain gauge

Variables  Example Rapists & nonrapists listen to taped descriptions of rape and consensual sex Do these recordings affect one more than the other? How do we measure the effect of the recordings? What is the independent variable? What is the dependent variable?

Another example  High school condom distribution & effect on pregnancies Freely available VS from nurse Independent variable? Dependent variable?