Articles tagged with Human Sexual Behavior
Researchers found that positive attitudes towards marriage dampen risky behaviors among lighter-skinned African Americans and Asians, but have little effect on darker-skinned individuals. The study suggests that promoting healthy attitudes toward romantic relationships could encourage better decision-making and behaviors.
Stanford researchers have identified a key brain circuit that regulates both sleep-wake cycles and the reward system, providing potential new therapeutic avenues for insomnia and other disorders. The discovery sheds light on how dopamine plays a crucial role in these processes.
Research reveals gay men employ tactics like dressing down or toning down behavior to avoid negative consequences in the workplace. They also carefully choose when and how to disclose their sexuality, using strategies like language and body language manipulation to manage their identity.
Two studies found that a significant proportion of British adults, including older adults, have sex with new partners while traveling overseas. The research emphasizes the importance of providing safer sex information in pre-departure travelers' health advice to mitigate risks of sexually transmitted infections.
A recent study found that male athletes are more likely to engage in sexual coercion, including rape, due to traditional beliefs about women and rape myths. Non-athletes were less likely to harbor these attitudes and behaviors.
A recent review article synthesizes theoretical and empirical work on sex differences in sport involvement, finding females' underrepresentation reflects their lesser sports interest. The authors propose adaptive hypotheses for sports, including the importance of social skills and courtship displays.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that $1.4 billion in HIV prevention programs promoting sexual abstinence and marital fidelity had no impact on changing individual behavior or reducing HIV risk. The researchers suggest reallocating funding to effective HIV prevention methods, as the remaining $50 million in annual f...
A survey of older American men who frequent sex work websites found that those over 60 paid for sex more frequently as they aged. The study also revealed that these men sought out specific experiences, such as the 'girlfriend experience', and were willing to pay for non-sexual activities with providers.
A study of 1,040 Quebeckers found that nearly half were interested in at least one type of anomalous sexual behavior, with some behaviors more common than thought. The research suggests a distinction between paraphilic sexual behavior and disorders, and challenges the DSM-5's classification.
A study by Georgia State University found that genetics and specific brain regions are linked to sex differences in chimpanzees' scratching behavior, a common indicator of anxiety. The researchers identified the vasopressin V1a receptor gene as a key factor, with males showing higher rates of scratching and females showing lower rates.
A Chapman University study found that couples who engage in regular foreplay, set a romantic mood, and express love experience higher sexual satisfaction. The study of over 38,747 men and women aged 40-46 revealed that satisfied couples also reported more frequent sex, oral sex, and orgasms.
A study by Plymouth University found that young women with high emotional intelligence are more likely to engage in manipulative behaviors, leading to higher levels of delinquency. The research suggests that this may be linked to evolutionary factors, where social survival takes precedence over social niceties.
A new study suggests that a man's attachment style may influence his perceptions of whether a woman is interested in him sexually. Men with higher attachment anxiety tend to imagine women as more interested, while those with higher attachment avoidance see themselves as less flirty.
Researchers found structural differences in brain connectivity match behavioral differences between men and women, with stronger motor skills linked to male performance and social cognition skills linked to female strengths. The study provides new insights into sex differences in the brain and behavior, potentially advancing treatment ...
A recent study by Michigan State University suggests women are more likely to get irked at irritating behavior exhibited by acquaintances and partners. Women's heightened social awareness may contribute to their increased sensitivity to annoyance.
A new study shows that male prairie voles with poorer spatial memory, which tend to wander farther for mates, exhibit higher levels of promiscuity. This is associated with gene expression changes that are heritable and linked to increased risk of encountering aggressive males.
A University of Illinois study links instability in young adults' lives to increased risk-taking behavior, including casual sex and impulsive sexual activity. The researchers suggest that colleges should focus on teaching stress management and self-esteem skills to reduce these risks.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge found that people with compulsive sexual behavior seek out new sexual images more frequently than others. They are also more susceptible to environmental cues linked to sexual images, which can trigger their addiction.
A new review questions whether premature ejaculation is an illness, citing false assumptions and influence from drug companies. The authors suggest that physiology of ejaculation and orgasm remains intact in men with premature ejaculation.
A study examining childhood trauma on sexual well-being found that men reported significantly higher prevalence of sexual concerns and dysfunctional behavior compared to women. The research highlights the importance of investigating sexuality in later life to improve therapy for trauma patients.
The study found that Mexican-origin adolescents with positive sibling relationships had fewer depressive symptoms and engaged in less risky behavior. Siblings with negative relationships, on the other hand, were more likely to engage in risky behaviors, including those with sexual risks. The research highlights the importance of family...
A new study by Derek A. Kreager found that girls who have sex experience a 45% decrease in peer acceptance, while those who 'make out' without sex see a 25% increase. In contrast, boys who engage in casual sex gain friendships, but those who 'make out' lose them.
Research published in Injury Prevention found that men with a 'male discrepancy stress' - feeling they fall short of traditional male norms and worrying others think so too - are more likely to commit violent assaults. The study suggests substance use may be less relevant to demonstrating masculinity than sex and violence.
A survey of 870 participants found that 88% reported ever having sexted and 82% reporting sexting in the past year. Higher levels of sexting were associated with greater sexual satisfaction, especially for those in committed relationships.
A recent study published in the Journal of Sex Research found that abusive and controlling men are more likely to expose their female partners to sexually transmitted infections. The research highlights the need for a broader understanding of sexual behaviors in domestic violence prevention programs.
A new survey of over 850 US women found that relaxing beach vacations are perfect for sexual experimentation with a steady partner, while group tours and sightseeing trips are ideal for casual sex with acquaintances or strangers. Women tend to underestimate risks in non-penetrative activities and overestimate condom protection.
Adolescents with weaker working memory are more likely to have difficulty controlling impulsive tendencies, leading to early and unprotected sex. Improvements in working memory may provide a pathway to greater control over risky sexual behavior.
Research suggests pedophiles are more likely to have minor physical anomalies in the face and head, developing during the prenatal period. The study found a higher prevalence of these deviations among left-handed men, who may be more susceptible to disruptive events during fetal development.
Researchers found that boys with autism exhibit higher levels of stereotyped behaviors and cognitive difficulties than girls, but these sex differences also appear in children without ASD. The study suggests naturally occurring sex differences in all children may contribute to the observed sex differences in autism.
A study by Christin L. Munsch found that economic dependency increases the likelihood of cheating for both men and women, with men more likely to cheat when not primary breadwinners. Women who are primary breadwinners are less likely to cheat as they increase their income share.
A new study by University of Maryland researchers reveals that the brain's 'gender' may be more flexible than previously thought. The study found that a specific enzyme plays a key role in masculinization, allowing certain genes to be 'unsilenced'. This process can even occur after the window for brain sexual differentiation has closed.
Researchers at McGill University found that men with short index fingers and long ring fingers are more agreeable and less quarrelsome with women. This unexpected phenomenon may be linked to fetal exposure to hormones during pregnancy.
A study in female mice reveals the brain region where hormonal state and social interaction are integrated, providing insights into human attraction and rejection behaviors. The researchers found that neurons dedicated to socio-sexual behavior were active only when females were receptive to males.
Researchers have found that ghrelin increases sexual activity and motivation in mice, suggesting a possible role for the hormone in regulating human sexuality. Further research is needed to understand the effects of ghrelin on humans, but ghrelin inhibitors may hold promise as new treatments for sex addiction.
A French study found that men are more likely to help women wearing high heels than those wearing flat shoes. The study suggests that men associate high heels with femininity and attractiveness. Men were also quicker to start chatting with women wearing heels, indicating a stronger instinct to be helpful.
A study published in Current Biology found that aggressive chimpanzee males sire more offspring, suggesting sexual coercion is an adaptive strategy for males. Genetic evidence showed that high-ranking males who intimidate females when they are not swollen had more reproductive success.
Researchers discovered that male nematode brains suppress food-seeking behavior to focus on finding a mate. This study sheds light on how subtle changes in brain circuitry dictate differences in behavior between males and females.
Researchers from Georgetown University's Institute for Reproductive Health developed strategies to change inequitable social norms resulting in gender-based violence. The study highlights the importance of community support, leaders, and positive social support in transforming gender roles.
A recent study found that men who viewed images of sexy women felt less connected to others and were less likely to make charitable contributions. Exposure to such images temporarily decreased male consumers' sense of psychological connectedness with others, making them less receptive to ads promoting social benefits.
Researchers found that teenage girls who skipped school or failed tests were more likely to engage in vaginal sex and less likely to use condoms. The study also showed a link between academic events and emotional experiences in romantic relationships.
A new study finds that children's sipping or tasting of alcohol is more closely related to perceived parental approval than psychosocial proneness for problem behavior. This suggests that early exposure to alcohol may not necessarily lead to later problem behaviors, but rather be a result of familial cultural norms.
A study by University of Washington sociologist Sarah Diefendorf found that young evangelical Christian men who pledged abstinence before marriage struggled with sexual temptation and confusion once married. The men reported feeling pressured to maintain control over sex and struggling to discuss it with their wives.
Research suggests that childhood abuse, sexual victimization, and prior suicidal behavior are significant risk factors for service members and veterans who attempt or commit suicide. The study found that soldiers who reported abuse as children were three to eight times more likely to report suicidal behavior.
Research shows that women with resilience are better equipped to handle sexually oppressive experiences, while those with low resilience may develop mental health problems. Psychologists can help clients learn to cope by assigning meaning to adversity and recognizing objectification as a flawed cultural practice.
Stowers researchers identified two classes of pheromone receptors that help male mice detect female presence and ovulation, essential for triggering the mating process. The findings provide new insight into how the mammalian brain processes sensory information like pheromones to elicit courtship behaviors.
In a study published in Current Biology, researchers found that the Abdominal-B gene controls a set of neurons responsible for a major part of female fly receptivity. This discovery provides insight into the neural circuitry that drives courtship behavior on the female side.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research suggests that focusing on oneself can help individuals overcome distractions and stay committed to their goals. When participants were seated in a cubicle facing a mirror, they were more likely to eat M&Ms when thinking about abstract goals, such as improving their health.
Children of parents with bipolar disorder are more susceptible to psychosocial problems, including risky sexual behavior, suicidal ideation, and substance abuse. A new study reveals that family-based interventions can help mitigate these risks by teaching effective coping strategies and stress management techniques.
Researchers found that pain from inflammation reduces sexual motivation in female mice, but has no effect on male mice. Female mice spend less time with a partner and exhibit reduced sexual behavior when in pain.
A significant proportion of teenage boys and college men report experiencing coerced sex or unwanted sexual behavior. The study found that coercion was related to risky behaviors and distress, but not lower self-esteem, among victims.
A new HIV/STI prevention program in Haiti is changing lives by empowering marginalized women to become health workers. The program increased HIV and STI knowledge, condom use, and decreased depression rates among participants.
A study found that 90% of bar aggression involves male initiators and female targets, often due to intoxication levels of the target rather than the aggressor. The findings suggest a culture where intoxicated women are perceived as easier or more blameworthy targets.
There is limited evidence to support the existence of pornography 'addiction', with most studies lacking methodological rigor and failing to find negative side effects. Instead, viewing sexual images can have positive benefits such as improving attitudes towards sexuality and increasing pleasure in relationships.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that HIV-positive men are more likely to engage in safer sex practices when their moods improve, compared to weeks with worsening moods. Depression was linked to an increased risk of unprotected sex.
A review of medical literature reveals financial concerns, parental attitudes, and social influences as key barriers to HPV vaccination among adolescents. The study emphasizes the importance of targeted guidance for healthcare professionals to improve vaccine uptake.
Researchers used eyetracking technology to map visual behavior of both men and women as they viewed images of different females with different body types. Women were found to objectify other women more often for social comparison purposes.
A recent study found that 30% of children admit to being cyberbullied, while only slightly higher than 10% of their parents reported being aware. Parents who use permissive parenting styles are more likely to be unaware of their child's online behavior.
A study by Oxford University researchers suggests that kissing helps humans size up potential partners and keeps them in long-term relationships. The survey found that women rated kissing as more important than men, particularly in long-term relationships where it plays a role in mediating affection and attachment.
Scientists have identified a protective pheromone, ESP22, in the tears of young mice that blocks adult mating behavior. This discovery provides insight into how sensory systems regulate social behavior and could lead to a better understanding of human behaviors.
A recent study suggests that men's stronger sexual impulses are a key factor in their higher rates of infidelity. Men experienced stronger impulses to pursue attractive partners, regardless of whether it was considered 'good' or 'bad', whereas women were more likely to exert self-control and resist these temptations.