1. 1 Psychology 320: Psychology of Gender and Sex Differences Lecture 43

2. 2 Office Hour Invitations February 3 rd, 11:30-12:30 Kenny 2517 13424080 23535099 29944097 39497094 41300096 69636082 76369099 76701093

3. 3 Sexuality and Education: 3. Do males and females perform similarly in school? 2. Are there sex differences in sexual satisfaction? 1. Are there sex differences in sexual behaviour? (continued)

4. 4 By the end of today’s class, you should be able to: 2. identify sex similarities and differences in sexual satisfaction. 4. describe contemporary trends in educational attainment for the sexes. 3. explain how gender equality, age, marital status, and “quality of life” are related to sexual satisfaction. 1. review evidence and explanations for “female erotic plasticity.”

5. 5 2.Research has shown that females exhibit greater intra-individual variation in sexuality across time than males. Females report increases in masturbation across the lifespan; males report no change in mastur- bation across the lifespan (Adams & Turner, 1985). More females than males describe themselves as bisexual (Laumann et al., 1994; Whisman, 1996). Are there sex differences in sexual behaviour? (continued)

6. 6 Among couples who choose to “swing,” females adapt more quickly than males (Smith & Smith, 1970). Lesbians (72%) are more likely than gay males to have had a “meaningful heterosexual relationship” (45%; Whisman, 1996; also see Rosario et al., 1996). More lesbians (31%) than gay males (18%) indicate that their sexual orientation was a choice (Caring, 1999). In prisons, more females (50%) than males (30%) engage in consensual same-sex sexual activity (Gagnon & Simon, 1968; Ward & Kassebaum, 1965).

7. 7 How can we explain the higher levels of erotic plasticity reported among females than males?

8. 8 Are there sex differences in sexual satisfaction? Research suggests small sex differences in sexual satisfaction: Peterson and Hyde’s (2010) meta-analysis: d=.17. Laumann et al. (2006) found that sexual satisfaction is greater in cultures with gender-equal regimes than “male-centered” regimes:

9. 9 Percent of Respondents Reporting Satisfaction in their Sexual Relationships: Gender-Equal Regimes (Laumann et al., 2006) Percentage

10. 10 Percent of Respondents Reporting Satisfaction in their Sexual Relationships: Male-Centered Regimes (Laumann et al., 2006) Percentage

11. 11 More females (43%) than males (31%) report experiencing sexual dysfunction (Laumann et al., 1999). How can we explain the higher levels of sexual satisfaction in cultures with gender-equal regimes than cultures with male-centered regimes?

12. 12 Males: low sexual desire (5%); premature ejaculation (21%); erectile dysfunction (5%). Females: low sexual desire (22%); sexual arousal problems (14%); sexual pain (7%); orgasmic disorder (10-25%). Among the most common sexual dysfunctions are (Etaugh & Bridges, 2010; Laumann et al., 1999):

13. 13 Laumann et al. (1999) noted the following correlates of sexual dysfunction: 1. Age: For females, prevalence decreases with age; for males, prevalence increases with age. 2. Marital status: Prevalence is higher among unmarried individuals than married individuals. 3. Social status: Prevalence is higher among individuals of relatively low socioeconomic status.

14. 14 4. “Quality of life”: Individuals with sexual dysfunction report lower levels of physical satisfaction, emotional satisfaction, and general happiness than individuals without sexual dysfunction. The quality of life of females is more strongly affected by sexual dysfunction than the quality of life of males. Males who experience premature ejaculation do not report reduced quality of life.

15. 15 Do males and females perform similarly in school? Prior to the 1980s, males outperformed females in school. Today, however, females outperform males in school:

16. 16 High School Grade Point Average by Sex, 1990- 2005 (US Department of Education, 2007) GPA

17. 17 High School Drop Out Rates by Sex, 1990-2005 (Statistics Canada, 2005) Thousands

18. 18 University Enrollment by Sex, 2004-2008 (Statistics Canada, 2009) Thousands

19. 19 Number of Undergraduate Degrees Granted by Sex, 1995-2005 (Statistics Canada, 2008) Thousands

20. 20 Number of Graduate Degrees Granted by Sex, 1995-2005 (Statistics Canada, 2008)* Thousands * Master’s and doctorate degrees combined; more females than males earn master’s degrees; more males than females earn doctorate degrees.

21. 21 Sexuality and Education: 3. Do males and females perform similarly in school? 2. Are there sex differences in sexual satisfaction? 1. Are there sex differences in sexual behaviour? (continued)