Anabella Godfrey
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Ariel Yang
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Department of Psychology / LSA
Program:
Authors: Anabella Godfrey, Khylie Aiello, Ariel Yang, Terri Conley
Session: Session 7: 4:40 pm – 5:30 pm
Poster: 12
Abstract
According to today’s standards and social scripts, sexual intercourse is associated with male pleasure. Males dominate hookup culture, however, why is that? This study seeks to explore casual sex and uncover data that goes beyond being representative of evolutionary and biological assumptions; to ultimately understand why there are gender differences in the acceptance of casual sex offers. Students enrolled in Introductory Psychology with dating apps were recruited; these students are predominantly first and second-years. A survey was conducted based on a hypothetical sexual offer from a potential match on said dating app. Statistical quantitative data is collected from the answers to the survey in which participants select the likelihood of the situation coming to fruition. Data suggests that gender gaps in casual sex can be attributed to the lack of female orgasms expected as a result of an overemphasis on male pleasure. However, by controlling for the variable of orgasm expectancy between males and females both genders are similarly open to casual sex. These ideas show how gender gaps in ideologies toward casual sex don’t always stem from evolutionary and biological explanations that undermine the importance of clitoral stimulation and overall female pleasure. Thus helping to deconstruct and redefine social scripts, in which males are the only ones expected to want and enjoy sex. This study will contribute to both fields of psychology and women and gender studies, advancing the outdated idea that females don’t want sex and enjoy sex less than their male counterparts.
