Transcript 02-Sex Research

Sex Research
How do we learn new information about sex?
Today’s Coming Attractions:
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How do we do sex research?
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Case studies
Surveys
Direct observation
Experiments
Research Methods
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Case studies
Surveys
Direct observation
Experimental studies
Case Studies
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Male lost penis at circumcision - Joan / John
Transsexuals
Incest victims (survivors)
Sex offenders
Surveys
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Source of most of our scientific information
about sexuality
Alfred Kinsey
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First extensive survey of American sexual
behavior
Kinsey’s Publications
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Sexual Behavior in the Human Male
Sexual Behavior in the Human Female
Kinsey institute
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http://www.indiana.edu/~kinsey/
National health & Social Life Survey
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Single best survey ever conducted of adult
sexual behavior
Surveys of men exposed to violent
pornography indicated:
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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
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Population
Random sample
Self-selection bias
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“sample” = not representative
E.g. Radio talk show listeners
Direct observation studies
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Masters & Johnson
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Studied the sexual response cycle &
physiological responses
Masters & Johnson’s Publications
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Human Sexual Response
Human Sexual Inadequacy
Masters & Johnson’s Equipment
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Penile strain gauge(Penile Plethysmograph)
Vaginal photoplethysmograph
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Measures increased vaginal blood volume
Color changes
Experimental studies
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E.g. Movies in sex therapy
Can make cause and effect conclusions
Variables
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Independent variable
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The one we can control
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Taped descriptions
Dependent variables
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Penile tumescence
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Penile strain gauge
Variables
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Example
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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
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High school condom distribution & effect on
pregnancies
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Freely available VS from nurse
Independent variable?
Dependent variable?