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My eyes are up here!

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.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalSex Roles·DateOct 29, 2013

Kissing helps us find the right partner -- and keep them

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.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalArchives of Sexual Behavior·DateOct 10, 2013

Tears for fears

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.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·DateOct 2, 2013

Stronger sexual impulses may explain why men cheat more than women, study reveals

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.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateSep 20, 2013

Hostile sexism, abandoning a goal, society's role in creative genius

Studies reveal that hostile sexism can lead to biased perceptions of partners, negatively affecting relationship satisfaction. Abandoning a goal can also have strong psychological and physiological consequences, including increased stress hormone cortisol levels. A person's social identity plays a crucial role in creative processes, wi...

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateAug 23, 2013

Is sexual addiction the real deal?

UCLA researchers measure brain responses to sexual images in hypersexual individuals, finding that brain response is tied only to level of sexual desire, not severity of hypersexuality. This challenges existing theories of sex 'addiction', suggesting it may be a cluster of problems rather than an addiction.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalSocioaffective Neuroscience & Psychology·DateJul 18, 2013

Sex and BC East Asian teenagers

A new study by University of British Columbia researchers found that East Asian adolescents in BC who are sexually active may engage in high-risk behaviors, including alcohol and drug use before sex. The top reasons for abstinence were not feeling ready and wanting to meet the right person.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalThe Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality·DateJul 17, 2013

Women reject sexually promiscuous peers when making female friends

A study by Cornell University researchers found that women view sexually permissive peers more negatively than chaste women, even if they personally have liberal attitudes about casual sex. In contrast, men's perceptions are more dependent on their own promiscuity, with less promiscuous men favoring less experienced men as friends.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Social and Personal Relationships·DateJun 3, 2013

How sexual power can be disempowering

A new study by Dr. Lisa Rosenthal found that social dominance orientation can lead to increased sexual risk-taking and decreased confidence among both men and women, particularly when it comes to using female condoms.

SourceSpringer·JournalSex Roles·DateOct 1, 2012

Magazines jeopardize and empower young women's sexuality

A new study reveals that reading sex-related magazine articles from popular women's magazines like Cosmopolitan can have empowering effects on young women's sexuality. The research found that women who read these articles were more likely to view premarital sex as a positive and less risky behavior, while also promoting female sexual a...

SourceSAGE·JournalPsychology of Women Quarterly·DateSep 4, 2012

Magazine articles jeopardize and empower young women’s sexuality

A study published in Psychology of Women Quarterly found that women who read sex-related magazine articles viewed premarital sex as less risky and were more supportive of female sexual assertiveness. The researchers also discovered a racial disparity in attitudes, with white women viewing premarital sex as less risky than women of color.

SourceSAGE·JournalPsychology of Women Quarterly·DateSep 4, 2012

Adolescent sexual behavior tied to motion picture sexual content exposure, says MU researcher

A study by University of Missouri researcher Ross O'Hara found that young people who watch more sexually explicit movies tend to engage in more sexual behavior and start having sex at a younger age. The study also discovered that adolescents exposed to more sexual content in movies are less likely to use condoms with casual partners.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalPsychological Science·DateJul 25, 2012

Nearly 30 percent of teens send nude pictures despite being 'bothered' by requests

A study found that nearly 30 percent of teens send nude pictures via email or text, and this behavior is indicative of their overall sexual activity. Teen girls who engage in sexting are more likely to participate in risky behaviors, including multiple partners and substance use before sex.

SourceUniversity of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateJul 2, 2012

Family values

A new study demonstrates that female choice and faithfulness played a crucial role in human evolution, leading to the emergence of the modern family. The transition from promiscuity to pair-bonding was characterized by a reduction in male-to-male competition in favor of providing for females and close parental involvement.

SourceNational Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 28, 2012

Placebo successful in treating women with sexual dysfunction

A new study found that taking a placebo improved symptoms in about one-third of women with low sexual arousal, with the most improvement occurring during the first four weeks. The key predictor of symptom change was an increase in satisfying sexual encounters, suggesting a need to investigate behavioral factors more closely.

SourceWiley·JournalThe Journal of Sexual Medicine·DateSep 16, 2010

Redefining sexual discrimination

A study finds that gender harassment, even without unwanted sexual advances, leads to negative personal and professional outcomes for women. Women who experience gender harassment report lower satisfaction with their jobs, higher stress, and poorer overall well-being.

SourceSpringer·JournalLaw and Human Behavior·DateAug 5, 2010

According to a study, change in social roles of men and women may increase gender violence

Research suggests that social role changes can lead to an increase in gender violence, especially for women who are expected to conform to traditional roles. The study, conducted by Prof. Mª Carmen Herrera Enríquez, found that men may use violence as a means to restore their lost power when faced with changing social dynamics.

SourceUniversity of Granada·JournalPsychology of Women Quarterly·DateApr 8, 2010