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Sexual Behavior in the Human Male
... Tanto las personas heterosexuales como homosexuales reportaron fantasías que no siempre coincidían con su orientación sexual autodeclarada. Este hallazgo, ya observado por Kinsey et al. (1998aKinsey et al. ( , 1998b, sugiere que la orientación sexual fluctúa en un espectro más amplio que las categorías tradicionales. En línea con Dorais (2015), los resultados muestran que la orientación sexual «se refiere a las atracciones identitarias, deseos o comportamientos sexuales de un individuo, en función de su género y del de sus parejas, ya sean reales o imaginarias» (Dorais, 2015, p. 42). ...
The aim of this study was to explore various aspects of sexuality among Ecuadorian youth aged 18 to 25. Through an online survey, data were collected on topics related to sexuality, such as sex education, sexual orientation, characteristics of sexual relationships, contraception, and sexual health. The survey was completed by 590 young Ecuadorians (56.4% women and 43.6% men). The results reveal specific characteristics of the population studied in relation to this topic. A biologically and medically oriented approach to sex education was evident among participants, along with a lack of information from appropriate sources. Regarding sexual orientation, shifts in forms of identification were observed, replicating findings from similar studies. In terms of the characteristics of sexual relationships in this population, the results indicate a high number of sexual partners, the presence of inappropriate sexual initiation in some cases (such as sexual abuse), less sexual experimentation among women, and distortions surrounding certain aspects of intercourse. Specific findings related to contraception and its use are presented, and finally, the data on sexual health among young men and women are analyzed reflectively, considering their implications for the prevention of issues related to reproductive health.
... Remarkably, she collected over 200 individual measurements of the distance between vagina and clitoris in 1930s and found a correlation between that distance and a decreased rate of copulatory orgasm (this dataset was recently re-evaluated by Wallen and Lloyd, 2011). Best known empirical research on human sexuality and orgasm from the 20th century is undoubtedly that by the zoologist Alfred Kinsey from Indiana University (Kinsey et al., 1948(Kinsey et al., , 1953, followed by the rich work of William Masters and Virginia Johnson, at Washington University in St. Louis (Kolodny et al., 1979;Masters and Johnson, 1960;Masters et al., 1966Masters et al., , 1974Masters et al., , 1993). An important contribution to the body of knowledge on female sexuality came from Shere Hite. ...
... In order to detect the sociodemographic characteristics, respondents self-reported their gender, year of birth, educational qualification, place of residence, marital status, and occupation. A 5-point scale (from 1 = exclusively homosexual to 5 = exclusively heterosexual) was used to assess participants' sexual orientation (Kinsey, Pomeroy, & Martin, 1948). ...
Gaslighting is an understudied form of psychological violence aimed to reduce victims’ autonomy, decision-making ability, security, and belief in their own perceptions. Although it leads to negative psychological, relational, and health consequences, few studies have examined the protective variables of this form of violence. The present study aims to analyze the role of self-compassion and social support (from family, friends, and significant others) in predicting gaslighting experiences, psychological health, and eudaimonic well-being among young Italian women. The mediational role of the gaslighting experience was examined. Participants (251 women, mean age = 38.72) completed an online survey assessing the variables of interest. Path analysis showed that participants’ self-compassion and perceived social support from family and significant others (but not one from friends) were negatively and significantly associated with gaslighting experience. Gaslighting experience emerged as a significant and negative predictor of both psychological health and eudaimonic well-being. Gaslighting experience partially mediated the relationship among self-compassion and both psychological health and eudaimonic well-being, and totally mediated the association among perceived social support (from family and from significant others) and both psychological health and eudaimonic well-being. This is one of the few studies that allowed to identify the important role of some interpersonal (i.e., social support) and intrapersonal (i.e., self-compassion) factors in predicting gaslighting experience. Our findings could be useful in designing preventive programs aimed to increase women’s abilities to cope with the potential manipulative intentions of their partner with positive consequences on their health and well-being.
... Il n'y a pas si longtemps encore, l'éjaculation rapide était au contraire un critère de compétence sexuelle, du moins dans les sociétés occidentales. D'ailleurs, au début des années cinquante, 75% des Américains déclaraient parvenir à l'éjaculation dans un délai de deux minutes ou moins après le début du coït (Kinsey et al., 1948). La reconnaissance sociale du droit de la femme au plaisir sexuel a entraîné une modification des critères de compétence sexuelle masculine. ...
Theoretical conceptualisations of gender and sexuality share a complex and intertwined history, described by Stryker (2004) as “evil twins.” From this genealogical history, theoretical questions remain regarding where trans and gender diverse individuals’ sexuality is situated. This article presents a new formulation of trans and queer theory in reimaging trans identity and sexuality. I argue for the creation of an epistemological framework capable of addressing the multifaceted nuances of transgender sexuality, retaining the fluidity of queer theory’s approach to sexuality while centring the materiality of trans theory’s embodiment of gender. Rather than reinforcing the often-oppositional stance between these two theories, this paper seeks to bring them into dialogue, crafting a more inclusive and liberating framework, one that does not demand trans people either forfeit their gendered embodiment in the name of queer fluidity or accept a model of sexuality rooted in cisheteronormative structures. Instead, this paper advances a synthesis that acknowledges both perspectives, constructing a conceptual space where trans desire can be explored without erasure or restriction.
Both scholars and public officials have advocated for the incorporation of measures of sexual and gender identity on nationally representative surveys. Recommendations such as those put forth by a 2022 panel of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine typically caution that identity is fluid and most sexual orientation measures only capture identification at a given point in time. Nonetheless, demographers typically rely in their analyses on cross-sectional data that treats sexual identity as fixed. In this chapter, we examine what is known about sexual identity fluidity, beginning with the prevalence of fluidity within various subpopulations. We then discuss individual characteristics that are associated with fluidity, most notably gender and sexual identity, as well as contextual characteristics such as region and sociopolitical context. Finally, we review the literature on the relationship between sexual fluidity and demographic outcomes, including physical and mental health, earnings, and experiences of victimization and discrimination. We conclude by offering recommendations for future data collection and research related to sexual identity fluidity.
Over the past two decades, attention to LGBTQ+ adults and their families in the U.S. has grown significantly due to advocacy movements, policy debates, and improved data collection. Early U.S. Census Bureau efforts to collect data on same-sex households laid the foundation for demographic research. Despite progress, national datasets remain limited, and many surveys still lack comprehensive measures of sexual orientation and adequate measures of gender identity for families. However, the recent inclusion of these indicators in large-scale surveys and the availability of probability-based datasets offer new opportunities to address critical gaps in understanding LGBTQ+ families. This chapter reviews current research on LGBTQ+ families, examining how demographers conceptualize family structures and how sexual orientation and gender identity shape family life and demographic outcomes. It further highlights the evolving conceptualizations of LGBTQ+ families and how we study them to reflect their diversity. More work is needed to integrate LGBTQ+ family experiences fully into mainstream demographic research. Expanding research and collecting better data will help us understand LGBTQ+ families navigating shifting social, cultural, and legal realities, offering a fuller and more inclusive picture of U.S. family life.
This qualitative phenomenological study explores the lived experiences of gay educators in Gumaca, Quezon, as they perform their roles at home, at work, and within their communities. Through purposive sampling, ten openly gay male educators with graduate-level qualifications were interviewed to understand the personal, social, and institutional challenges they face. The findings reveal that these educators navigate a complex landscape of acceptance, discrimination, and resilience. At work, participants described varying strategies of identity expression depending on workplace culture. Within communities, acceptance was found to be inconsistent, heavily influenced by local norms and social dynamics. At home, many experienced conditional acceptance or rejection rooted in traditional and religious beliefs. Despite these challenges, participants demonstrated emotional intelligence, advocacy, and moral fortitude, often acting as catalysts for inclusivity and understanding. The study highlights the need for systemic changes in educational policies, community programs, and family dynamics to support the holistic development and occupational productivity of gay educators. A proposed empowerment program is recommended to enhance resilience, inclusion, and advocacy efforts.
This chapter charts the development of cruelty to animals, including humans, asks why humans are especially cruel, and considers whether we can reduce cruelty in society. The place of cruelty in war is discussed, both in human and animal societies, and the growing way in which humans are developing capacity for mass destruction. The worst examples of cruelty, in wars, are a common feature of human society, but this is relatively rare in animals. It concludes that animals can be cruel, but not to the extent of humans.
La presente tesis doctoral reconstruye y analiza los procesos de identificación como bi-
homosexual de hombres cisgénero españoles nacidos en la era digital, con el objetivo de articular un modelo que describa y profundice en el reconocimiento, confirmación y
aceptación de la bi-homosexualidad. Para ello, en lugar de optar por una estructura basada en etapas o pasos lineales, se han empleado como marco de análisis los grandes periodos del crecimiento y maduración humana —infancia, adolescencia y adultez—, situando en estos los hitos y procesos fundamentales que marcan la trayectoria identitaria a lo largo de la vida. Esta elección permite abordar las experiencias de los participantes de manera compleja e integradora, no limitándose a enumerar eventos significativos, y otorgando un papel central a las emociones, actos, decisiones e influencias contextuales que moldean cada vivencia y condicionan el devenir de la identificación bi-homosexual. Al mismo tiempo, este enfoque pone en valor la diversidad y singularidad de las trayectorias vitales, respetando las particularidades de cada historia a la par que atiende a los elementos y patrones comunes que las vinculan.
La tesis incorpora como eje transversal de análisis la digitalidad, entendida como un
componente fundamental en las vidas actuales, evidenciando cómo las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TICs) han transformado profundamente los procesos de reconocimiento, confirmación y aceptación de las identidades sexuales, en este caso de la bi-homosexual. La expansión y mejora de dispositivos, la conectividad permanente e inalámbrica así como la proliferación de aplicaciones y redes sociodigitales han
redefinido las formas de interacción humana, generando nuevas oportunidades para la exploración, autoafirmación y socialización de identidades tradicionalmente estigmatizadas. Recursos como las redes sociodigitales, las aplicaciones de citas y el
cibersexo han ofrecido a los participantes espacios de anonimato, aprendizaje y contacto, favoreciendo procesos de (re)conocimiento y construcción identitaria.
Desde una perspectiva interaccionista y apoyándose en las narrativas de los propios participantes, la investigación identifica los principales hitos en el desarrollo personal y la maduración sexual, adaptándolos a las etapas de crecimiento y mostrando cómo los llamados "nativos digitales" negocian sus experiencias identitarias en sistemas sociales
diversos y cambiantes. A través del uso de la teoría del curso de vida como marco metodológico, se asume que las trayectorias vitales se configuran mediante las elecciones, actos, oportunidades y restricciones impuestas por los contextos sociales e históricos, permitiendo así reconstruir y analizar las biografías en términos de sucesos pasados, presentes y prospectivos. Bajo esta óptica, se sostiene que la autoidentificación como bi-homosexual es mejor entendida como un proceso dinámico y diverso, en el que existen hitos comunes de (re)conocimiento, confirmación y aceptación asociados a momentos específicos del crecimiento humano. Además, resulta imprescindible considerar las condiciones contextuales en que se desarrollan dichos procesos, hitos y experiencias vitales. De este modo, la tesis llena un vacío en el ámbito académico español, donde son escasos los estudios que articulan la intersección entre construcción de identidades bi-homosexuales y la influencia de las tecnologías digitales.
This research paper explores and scrutinises the nature of representation and treatment of the elements of ‘Humanoid Artificial Intelligence or Robots with Emotions, Robosexuality or Human beings having Sexual and Romantic Desire for Robots as well as Queer Robotics or Homosexual Robots with LGBTQ+ Orientation’ in Queer Cinema produced in the Western countries, with the application of the tools and techniques of content analysis and critical review through qualitative prism in ten LGBTQ+ sample motion pictures in a meticulous fashion. These very ten queer movies have been nominated from the continents of North America and Europe in general as well as the three countries of United States of America, Germany and France in specific as sample text films based on ‘Stratified Sampling Method’ for the purpose of data collection within the granary of research methodology. The theory of ‘Heterosexual-Homosexual Rating Scale’ by American Biologist and Sexologist Professor Alfred Charles Kinsey has been adopted as the theoretical framework in this experimentation. The concepts like sex; gender; sexual orientations of LGBTQ+; sexo-romantic roles of top, bottom & versatile; genetic root of biological sex & psycho-social gender; queer cinema; artificial intelligence; robotics engineering; cyborg; android; humanoid; gynoid or fembot; mecha; queer robotics; robosexuality; robophilia; robot fetishism etc. have been clarified before the invasion into the arena of actual data collection through investigation, which occupies the result section. Further, data analysis of such elements concerned among the ten sample population engulfs the discussion section. Finally, verification of the research objectives, research questions and research hypotheses, encapsulate the conclusion section of this experimental survey.
Purpose
Recent scholarship suggests that acoustic-phonetic variation and its perceptual representation cannot be understood through a traditional gender binary or assumption of straight sexual orientation. However, there is still limited representation of gender and sexually diverse (GSD) perspectives in speech science research and educational resources. This review article argues for the incorporation of a more expansive view of gender and sexuality into research paradigms and classroom teaching, which is essential for capturing rich sociophonetic variation and promoting justice for these underrepresented and often marginalized communities.
Method
The first section of this review article provides an overview of GSD perspectives and their implications for acoustic-phonetic variation. The second section examines the representation of GSD in speech science textbooks. An informal survey was conducted to identify three commonly used textbooks in communication sciences and disorders speech science courses. For each text, references pertaining to so-called “normative” acoustic-phonetic data were reviewed for participant demographics, including sex, gender, and sexual orientation. Participant demographic characteristics are summarized. The third section of this review article provides resources and strategies for increasing representation of GSD persons in research and pedagogy.
Conclusions
A pervasive disregard of GSD persons was found in the acoustic-phonetic literature on which much of our existing knowledge and practice in communication sciences and disorders is based. Results emphasize the need for greater GSD representation in acoustic-phonetic research and pedagogy. Gender and sexually affirming pedagogical tools and practices are presented that can promote equitable representation of these diverse communities in communication sciences and disorders.
Previous research has shown a positive association between BDSM/kink behaviors and sexual satisfaction. The present study further explored this relationship within a Chilean population of BDSM practitioners. A total of 543 participants responded to an online questionnaire about BDSM/kink roles, practices, and overall sexual satisfaction. The main regression analyses evaluated the associations between BDSM roles, the frequency and variety of BDSM/kink interests and behaviors and the degree of discordance between the BDSM/kink behaviors participants find arousing and those that they have engaged in, as well as the contributions of the socio-demographic factors such as gender, age, sexual orientation, educational level, and relationship status on sexual satisfaction levels. The results indicated that the frequency and diversity of BDSM and kink activities were linked with higher sexual satisfaction. While no significant differences were found in sexual satisfaction across dominant, submissive, and switch roles, individuals in both monogamous and non-monogamous relationships reported higher satisfaction levels in comparison to those not in a relationship. These results emphasize the importance of respecting and de-pathologizing "non-conventional" forms of sexuality, such as BDSM. Future research should focus on the long-term psychological and relational effects of BDSM participation and aim to include more diverse and representative samples.
This chapter discusses issues from the study of human sexuality that influence the development of normative and non-normative sexual behavior and are important in understanding and treatment of sexual offending behavior. Authors review sexual communication, including sexual consent, the impact of culture and society on sexuality, and what is known about sexual behavior and sexual attitudes. Additionally, important topics that are often encountered in treatment, supervision, and incarceration, including gender identity, sexual dysfunction, and compulsive sexual behavior are reviewed. The chapter presents available empirical data, as well as conceptual and theoretical understanding of the issues. Finally, where appropriate, interventions and treatments are provided.
This chapter provides a comprehensive, evidence-based, and pragmatic overview of forensic and clinical aspects of sexual sadism (SS). This includes conceptual and diagnostic issues, particularly dimensionality and its implications for assessment and diagnosis. Relevant differential diagnoses and comorbidities, including sexual and personality disorders, are considered. The multi-faceted etiology and development of SS is set out, including various biopsychosocial factors of relevance and theoretical models. Prevalence rates in the general population and in those who commit sexual offences and violence are outlined. Then specific groups are considered, including those who commit rape, sexual homicide and child sexual abuse; young, female and non-offending individuals; and those who practice BDSM, highlighting why it should not be conflated with forensically or clinically relevant SS. The chapter then provides practical guidance on assessment, including applying an objective dimensional behavioral scale, the Sexual Sadism Scale (SESAS), to anchor the diagnostic assessment, and important considerations in risk assessment. Recommendations for psychological and pharmacological treatment are made, including considering the impact of working with such individuals on practitioners and systems, before addressing management issues in court, prison or hospital, and the community.
In the mid-1900s, the popularity of psychoanalysis in the United States was evident in the first two editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) from the American Psychiatric Association (APA, Diagnostic and statistical manual: Mental disorders, 1952; Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 1968); these editions were inspired by mostly psychodynamic ideas and etiological theories as it related to sexual deviation. Specifically, the original DSM (APA, Diagnostic and statistical manual: Mental disorders, 1952) had minimal information regarding sexual deviations as they were identified as “sociopathic personality disturbances”. The DSM-II (APA, Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 1968) exhibited increased specificity of sexual deviation by categorizing sexual interests when they were directed “(a) toward objects other than people of the opposite sex, (b) toward sexual acts not usually associated with coitus, or (c) toward coitus performed in bizarre circumstances” (APA, Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 1968, p. 44). The DSM-III (APA, 1980) maintained most of DSM-II’s (APA, Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 1968) sexual deviations appearing now as paraphilias but also included gender identity disorders as well as psychosexual dysfunctions. Although the DSM-III (APA, Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 1980) was developed utilizing extensive field testing, its revision, the DSM-III-R (APA, Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 1987), provided much needed alterations that include (1) the removal of exclusivity or repetition of paraphilic behavior in order to diagnose (replaced with severity codes), (2) the inclusion of recurrent intense sexual urges and fantasies for at least six months, and (3) the inclusion of the individual either acting on these urges/fantasies or is markedly distressed by them. In a slight, but significant change, the DSM-IV (APA, Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 1994) removed the DSM-III-R’s (APA, Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 1987) inclusion of acting on their sexual urges and input that their fantasies, urges, and/or behaviors result in clinically significant distress or impairment in important life areas. However, the DSM-IV-TR (APA, Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 2000) focused on the paraphilias with a nonconsenting victim (e.g., pedophilia, frotteurism, etc.) and reverted back to DSM-III-R’s (APA, Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 1987) criteria where the individual is required to either act on their sexual urge/fantasy OR experience distress based on their urge/fantasy. Presently, paraphilic disorders included in the DSM-5-TR (APA, Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 2022) have a qualitative nature of the paraphilia (Criterion A; e.g., touching/rubbing against a nonconsenting individual in frotteuristic disorder) and a negative consequence due to the paraphilic behavior (Criterion B; e.g., distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other area of functioning due to frotteuristic behavior). Therefore, a situation may occur where an individual meets Criterion A (qualitative experience) of a paraphilic disorder but not for Criterion B (no distress); in this instance, the individual is said to have a paraphilia but not a paraphilic disorder.
Indeed, sexual behavior has undergone numerous conceptualizations and interpretations. Over time, it has been repeatedly shown that professionals continue to struggle distinguishing between what is considered to be a sexually deviant act(s) and what is a mental disorder; this has significant implications on the assessment of abuse-related sexual interests. In this chapter, referral questions for assessing individuals with perceived paraphilic disorders as well as self-report, psychophysiological, and proxy measure approaches to clinical assessment will be reviewed.
Although there are growing bodies of literature on both zoophilia/bestiality and sexual fantasies, there is very little information available on individuals who fantasize about zoophilic behaviors. Thus, the current study explored potential differences between individuals who reported zoophilic fantasies and those who did not. Participants completed a series of questionnaires that measured constructs such as multiple perpetrator rape interest (M-PRIS), loneliness (UCLA Loneliness Scale), rape myth acceptance (SRMA-II), and psychopathy (SRP-III Short Form;). The results were then compared with participants’ responses to item 13 (“sex with an animal”) on the Sexual Fantasy Questionnaire (SFQ). The results indicated that 46% (n = 140) of participants reported having at least some zoophilic fantasies. Additionally, those with zoophilic fantasies scored higher than participants without zoophilic fantasies on interest in multiple perpetrator rape, rape myth acceptance, and self-reported psychopathy. Conversely, participants without zoophilic fantasies scored marginally higher on loneliness. This study was largely preliminary and exploratory, so more work needs to be done to investigate correlates of zoophilic fantasies in order to determine potential correlated problematic attitudes and treatment targets for clinicians.
In this chapter, we map the field of tension in which sexual and gender minorities navigate mental healthcare, and aim at providing a conceptual and historical basis to consider ethical questions that can arise when working with sexual and gender minorities in clinical practice. In the first part of this chapter, we provide historical and conceptual background information. We trace the history of sexual and gender diversity in psychiatry, which is characterized by the pathologizing of homosexuality and trans* identity and experiences. We explain how nowadays, the approach to sexual and gender diversity in mental healthcare has shifted significantly towards acceptance, support and respect, as visible in the introduction of new diagnoses such as Gender Dysphoria. We introduce the broadly accepted minority stress theory to explain the high prevalence of mental distress in sexual and gender minorities. In the second part of the chapter, we focus on three ethical challenges that may arise when caring for sexual and gender minorities, with a focus on trans* and gender diverse individuals. The first concerns discriminatory practices and knowledge deficiencies that may lead to disadvantages for gender and sexual minorities in mental healthcare. Secondly, we consider ethical questions in psychotherapy and counselling for trans* and gender diverse individuals. We introduce gender-affirmative psychotherapy as an emerging approach to gender diversity in mental healthcare. Thirdly, we briefly discuss ethical questions in treatment decisions with trans* and gender diverse adolescents. We close by interrogating the state of the depathologizing of sexual and gender diversity in mental healthcare.
Subclinical narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism are a cluster of manipulative, callous, and entitled traits known as the Dark Triad (DT). These traits have been repeatedly linked to short-term mating strategies and a tolerance for uncommitted sexual behavior (i.e., unrestricted sociosexuality) in both men and women, a pattern interpreted as consistent with life history theory. Alongside sociosexuality, individuals vary in their distinct capacities toward sexual excitation and sexual inhibition. Although much research has examined the relationships between DT traits and sociosexuality, and between sociosexuality and sexual excitation/inhibition, none has simultaneously evaluated the links among all three. In a large undergraduate sample, DT traits and sexual excitation/inhibition showed unique multivariate associations with sociosexuality, even when accounting for age, sex, relationship status, and sexual orientation. Results suggest that DT traits, elevated sexual excitation, lower inhibition and bisexuality, facilitate fast life history strategies in both males and females.
This chapter explores meaning and key topics in the psychology of sexuality, history and related perspectives in modern sexuality studies, looking at male and female sexuality, psychophysical and modern aspects of exploring it. It also explores the modern topics related to sexuality and mental health, and discusses the sexual response cycle (SRC) in another section. Finally, it points out some important other thoughts, new trends and miscellaneous topics, such as sexual addiction, mating intelligence, spirituality, religiosity and sexuality. It begins by discussing the history and the key concepts in psychology of sexuality, such as sexual orientation, sexual deviance and paraphilias, and further includes homosexuality and other related thoughts. It explores the historical and theoretical aspects related to modern perceptions of human sexuality. It emphasises subjects including male and female sexuality, as well as their respective anatomical structures. Additionally, it examines the psychology of sexuality and mental health, as well as sexual dysfunctions and various therapeutic approaches followed by the heading sexual response cycle. Finally it discusses other thoughts, new trends and miscellaneous topics of the psychology of sexuality such as pornography, addiction, mating or erotic intelligence, and vaginal acupressure. Thus, it provides a fine, introductory and exploratory text on the subject of sexuality. This chapter serves as a review of potential themes and contemporary issues pertinent to the region, bolstered by relevant research studies and concepts. It does not assert or endorse any particular ideas for any specific community or religion.
Traditionally, the term impotence was used to describe the persistent inability to achieve erection with sufficient rigidity for penetrative sexual intercourse. However, following the National Institutes of Health (NIH) consensus conference in 1988, impotence was replaced by the broader term erectile dysfunction (ED) (1). Furthermore, the concept of successful vaginal penetration and ratio of failed attempts has been excluded (2). ED then, is the consistent inability to maintain a penile erection sufficient for adequate sexual relations (1). The effects of ED are profound and far-reaching, interfering with a man’s self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, and overall sense of well-being (3). One study estimated that ED affects 10–20 million men (4,5). Additionally, ED accounts for more than 400,000 outpatient visits, 30,000 hospital admissions, and a total financial burden of approx 146 million dollars annually in this country (6). These figures, published in 1985, have likely increased dramatically given the recent explosion in public interest and media exposure with the FDA approval of sildenafil citrate and public testimonies of many prominent political and sporting figures. Data from the National Health and Social Life Survey (NHSLS) published in early 1999 suggests that nearly one-third (31%) of men have some form of sexual dysfunction, a broad term encompassing seven different sexual problems, of which ED is one. These data further support the fact that sexual function is highly associated with overall well-being and dysfunctions represent a problem warranting recognition as a significant public health concern (7).
The number of people who identify as LGBTQ+ more than doubled in the past decade, and with this growth has come an upsurge of expressive identity labels. However, that there are more labels available does not explain how people decide which to use. On the basis of 52 interviews, the authors show that LGBTQ+ people adopt multiple terms and adjust their usage relative to the interactional demands at hand. Inspired by research in psychology and population studies on sexual fluidity, the authors call the sociological variant situational fluidity. Two pathways motivate it. First, respondents anchor newer labels with established terms in the interest of smoother interpersonal interactions. Second, anticipating resistance encourages some individuals to alter their preferred labels in order to buffer against possible policing or pushback. This process-based account offers an alternative to traditional linear models that propose the achievement of a self that is articulated with a single and stable term.
Nearly 80 years ago, Karl Popper gave a spirited philosophical defence of the Open Society in his two-volume work, The Open Society and Its Enemies. In this book, J. McKenzie Alexander argues that a new defence is urgently needed because, in the decades since the end of the Cold War, many of the values of the Open Society have come under threat once again. Populist agendas on both the left and right threaten to undermine fundamental principles that underpin liberal democracies, so that what were previously seen as virtues of the Open Society are now, by many people, seen as vices, dangers, or threats. The Open Society as an Enemy interrogates four interconnected aspects of the Open Society: cosmopolitanism, transparency, the free exchange of ideas, and communitarianism. Each of these is analysed in depth, drawing out the implications for contemporary social questions such as the free movement of people, the erosion of privacy, no-platforming and the increased political and social polarisation that is fuelled by social media. In re-examining the consequences for all of us of these attacks on free societies, Alexander calls for resistance to the forces of reaction. But he also calls for the concept of the Open Society to be rehabilitated and advanced. In doing this, he argues, there is an opportunity to re-think the kind of society we want to create, and to ensure it is achievable and sustainable. This forensic defence of the core principles of the Open Society is an essential read for anyone wishing to understand some of the powerful social currents that have engulfed public debates in recent years, and what to do about them.
The research in sexual sadism and masochism has been a part of the study of human sexuality for several centuries. However, consensual sadomasochism and its eventual acceptance as a sexual variation rather than as a disorder is a recent development in the history of human sexuality. The legal and especially the medicinal understanding are currently undergoing major shifts in Central Europe. Nevertheless, the question remains as to which sexual differences, despite their depathologization, are not only tolerated but actually accepted. Various media have substantially contributed to the normalization of the practices included in the abbreviation BDSM and have caused both the activities themselves and their symbolism to enter the mainstream culture. For this reason, it has become nearly impossible to draw the line between statistically average sexuality and specific sexual variation, both for the professionals and for the participants themselves.
This chapter discusses the importance of addressing sexuality within psychotherapy to enhance overall treatment outcomes. It emphasizes the need for therapists to conduct thorough sexological assessments and integrate sexual health into clinical practice. This chapter covers essential concepts such as biological sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, and the multidimensional nature of human sexuality. It also explores the relevance of attachment, metacognition, and the therapeutic relationship in understanding and treating sexual dysfunctions. Practical guidelines and a clinical case example illustrate how to effectively incorporate sexology into psychotherapy.
Thirty-two forensic persons who have committed sexual offenses against children (FP-SOC), 26 non-forensic persons of whom most have committed sexual offenses against children (NFP-SOC), 14 forensic persons who have not committed sexual offenses against children but have committed other offenses (FP-NSOC), and 53 non-forensic persons who have not committed sexual offenses against children (NFP-NSOC) were instructed to solve a cognitive task, while sexual distractors were presented simultaneously. Behavioral performance and eye movements were measured. FP-SOC and NFP-SOC exhibit same age preference patterns for children and adults, but both groups differ significantly with respect to sexual attentional control. Moderate discrimination accuracy and moderate effect sizes resulted for sexual interest, and good discrimination accuracy and large effect sizes were found for attentional control. Good attentional control in the NFP-SOC, probably reflecting superior sexual self-control and self-regulation abilities, might contribute to a better recognition and control of environmental factors in sexual risk situations, preventing them from being detected and convicted. Otherwise, strong cognitive distortions might serve for them as offense justification. We conclude that those non-forensic persons with sexual offense histories against children (NFP-SOC) with sexual interest in children, good attentional self-control and strong cognitive distortions represent a problematic group which should receive more attention regarding further research but also therapy. Future studies should include more suitable and larger control groups, appropriate instruments to measure independent variables, and investigate whether different classifications of pedophilic interest would be better suited to describe the eye movement patterns of our study participants.
This study examined the role of odors in sexual attraction and partner selection among non-heterosexual individuals. We searched using MESH terms in databases including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, and Clinical Trials. We focused on experimental or quasi-experimental studies where olfactory cues were used in partner selection. The studies had to identify participants’ sexual orientation and include heterosexuals for comparison. Seven studies, published between 2005 and 2014, involving 345 participants (Mean age, 27.09 years), met the criteria. Results suggest that sexual orientation affects both preference for and production of human body odors and that human body odors appear to provide cues about the sex and sexual orientation of potential partners. Most participants were male, limiting conclusions about the role of pheromones in attraction among non-heterosexual women.
A dominant view among researchers is that boys’ sexual interactions with adult men are traumatizing. In contrast, many gay men recall childhood sexual experiences with adult males as positive. The current study tested for both of these outcomes by examining recalled boyhood sexual experiences of older gay men. Interviews were conducted in the 1970–1980s, and thus, before the public view became popular that child–adult sexual interactions must be traumatizing. Quantitative analyses suggested that gay men with boyhood sexual experiences with adult males (n = 7, mostly aged 11–16 at first experience with men aged 20s to 50s) were as well adjusted as those without these experiences (n = 10), and these experiences were usually viewed positively (71%). Narrative analyses indicated that adjustment problems in adulthood were not related to these early sexual experiences but to other factors such as parental abusiveness, societal intolerance, internalized homophobia, or social isolation.
Background: Voluntary non-coercive therapeutic interventions for adults are collectively known as sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE). Research on SOCE has reported global or average sexual orientation change, but not in more detail. This study addresses two questions: Does change consist primarily of reduced homosexual orientation or increased heterosexual orientation? Does change consist primarily of change in behavior or change in attraction?
Method: A convenience sample of 72 men who had completed SOCE was examined for the decrease in homosexual attraction, increase in heterosexual attraction, and corresponding changes in sexual behavior among those experiencing a homosexual-to-heterosexual shift. All measures were self-reported.
Results: Participants reported extremely high religiosity. A third (32%, N=23) reported a shift from general homosexual attraction (score of 4-6) to general heterosexual attraction (score of 0-2) on the Kinsey scale, which ranges from "exclusively heterosexual" (0) to "exclusively homosexual" (6). Among these, effect sizes (Cohen's d) for sexual fantasy and desire for romantic intimacy were larger for homosexual reduction (fantasy: -2.3, desire: -1.5) than for heterosexual increase (fantasy: +1.8, desire: + 1.0). Effect sizes for sexual behaviors, measured by kissing and sex relations, dropped the largest possible amount for homosexual behavior (kissing: -1.0, sex: -1.5, both statistically significant at p<0.004) while there was little to no increase in heterosexual behavior (kissing: +0.36, sex +0.38, both statistically non-significant at p>0.13).
Conclusion: Change consisted primarily of reduced homosexual orientation and change in behavior was much stronger than change in attraction. SOCE supported conformity to strong religious norms against homosexual behavior, but not attractions, for this group of extremely religious men. Implications for understanding SOCE-related sexual orientation change are discussed.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) mental health is a specialty that has grown in prominence over the past four decades. While historical knowledge of those with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations is quite extensive, only recently has global awareness and acceptance of these diversities become more prominent. Now that more LGBTQ people are coming out, they are seeking mental health support in the form of affirming treatments. Providing affirming treatment requires that the clinician not only be aware of LGBTQ cultures and subcultures but understand the diverse nature of gender and sexuality as a whole. It is a specialty within psychiatry that asks the clinician to be aware of their views and biases, continually identifying potential blind spots while evolving with the rest of the world. Knowing about LGBTQ development, identity, and relationships can help clinicians provide more affirming care, and awareness of potential risk factors associated with the population can ensure safer treatments.
This study explored how heterosexual and lesbian women differ in their implicit sexual responses. Previous research indicates that heterosexual women have physiological and implicit responses to both genders, whereas lesbian women show stronger responses to their preferred gender. This study used two implicit measures: the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) and the Function Acquisition Speed Test (FAST), both of which were novel in this context. We recruited 33 heterosexual and 25 lesbian women. Both IRAP and FAST were successful in differentiating the two sexual orientations as a group. The results confirmed that heterosexual women exhibit positive responses to both genders, while lesbian women show stronger, category-specific responses to their preferred gender. These findings align with previous research and provide further insight into the nuanced differences in sexual orientation responses among women.
In the present study, relations between same-sex sexual behavior (SSB), age-class, and coalitional behavior in male rhesus macaques were examined in a re-analysis of data first analyzed and reported by Clive et al. (2023). Age-class as a focal variable was indicated in an extensive literature review, which showed that male non-adult (juvenile, adolescent) participation in SSB is extensive in this and related primate species and associated with various benefits. Clive et al. (2023) excluded juveniles from their analysis. In the re-analysis (n = 995 mounting events), it was found that non-adult involvement was substantial (51%). Most dyads contained at least one non-adult (76%). Young and prime adult mounters most often selected non-adults to mount. Mounters were often sexually motivated: most for adolescents (72%); equally for juveniles (57%) and adults (56%). Finally, the highest rate of SSB with coalitional context appeared in adolescent–adult dyads involved in multiple repeated mounts. SSB, age-class, special friendships, bonding, and coalitions were linked, as reported in some other primate species and human societies cross-culturally. Employing age-class in male SSB analysis improved description and explanation.
Asexual patients face unique healthcare challenges that result in and maintain health disparities. Among health professionals, a general lack of cultural competence related to asexual identities perpetuates negative healthcare experiences and subsequent avoidance of care. This article provides an overview of asexual communities, the related culture of compulsory sexuality, and healthcare challenges facing asexual patients. Following the overview, the authors outline the necessity of providing asexual-affirming and person-centered mental health care through the presentation of a clinical vignette about a patient questioning whether he identifies as asexual. Through the vignette, a comprehensive, asexual-affirming framework for mental health practice with asexual patients is reviewed, which addresses culturally competent assessment and psychotherapy practices, ethical considerations, common clinical challenges, and incorporation of intersecting minoritized identities.
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