Chapter 3 part 2 Flashcards
Who helped to establish the institute for sex research as a not for profit?
Herman b Wells who become president of Indiana university
How was research personal for Kinsey?
Kinsey’s wife was a study participant and active supporter of his research
Kinsey also participated as a “subject” for the male volume
How is Research political?
Controversy increased during politically charged atmosphere of McCarythyism in the US during the 1950’s
Pressure on Indiana University, Kinsey’s funders, and Kinsey himself
Rockefeller foundation rescinded funding
People wanted kinsey to release his data to identify homosexuals because they thought those peoole were associated with communism
What is the Kinsey scale of sexual orientation?
0- Exclusively heterosexual
1- Predominantly heterosexual, only incidentally “homosexual”
2- Predominantly heterosexual, but more than incidentally “homosexual”
3- Equally heterosexual and homosexual
4- Predominantly “homosexual”, but more than incidentally heterosexual
5- Predominantly “homosexual”, only incidentally heterosexual
6- Exclusively “homosexual”
How did Kinseys research contribute to the world of sexual research?
Data influenced social changes
Began a discussion of sexuality in academia and popular culture
Addressed sexual double standards for men and
women
Provided data to support legal process to
decriminalize stigmatized sexual practices
What is the critiques of Kinseys sampling procedures?
Sampling procedures led to some groups being over-represented and other groups being under- represented
-“Subjects” participated from universities, hospitals, prisons, groups such as YMCA
What term did Kinsey termed?
Coined term 100% sampling. Thought it avoided volunteer bias
-everyone in the group encouraged to participate
What is the critiques of Kinseys accuracy?
Accuracy of the Kinsey studies were assessed formally by the American
Statistical Association
-Overall interview methodology well assessed
-sampling procedures critiqued for not using probability sampling
–Questioned the term 100% sampling used by Kinsey in some sampling cohorts
Controversial questions related to childhood sexuality
What re the extraneous factors that might affect data collection?
Details may impact the
answering of a question
May influence honesty in responding to: -taboo issues -areas related to personal self-consciousness -perceived controversial topics
How do you measure sex using implicit measures?
Eye Tracking
Direct Observation
May be used to asses biases and stereotypes that people may have
Test strength of association between 2 concepts
Reaction times measure association that people hold
Practice phases built into testing environment for comfort
What do we asses for when looking at eye tracking?
- Where do people look first when an image is. How long do they gaze?
- Participant’s point of gaze over time is measured
What do we asses for when looking at direct observation?
Accuracy of behavioural observations must be
standardized to avoid experimental bias
Multiple raters
Method used by Masters and Johnson
What do we asses for when looking at reaction times?
Measured in milliseconds
Reaction time faster if we feel a strong association
between two concepts
what are biological measures?
Objective measurement tools used to gather information from the sample
What are some biological measures that can be evaluated?
Genital measures, thermography, MRI technology, fMRI, pupil dilation, heart rate monitor, breathing rate, Sphygmomanometer (blood pressure cuff)
What is the fruit machine?
Government fears of compromised personnel in the government, police and military
Worked with university researchers to
devise a way to identify suspected Individuals using objective measuring tools -pupil dilatation implied interest in image being shown
Machine trying to get objective measurements to see if someone was gay
If you were gay you were susceptible by being bribed by russia
Would look at pupil dilaion when looking at pictures of diferent genders
What are milestones that masters and Johnson accomplished?
Collected data that was observable, measurable and quantifiable
What kind of instruments did Masters and Johnson use?
Behavioural and biological measures in their research
- electrocardiograph
- PH meter
- penile strain gauge
- photophlymthmograph
- probes to measure muscular contractions
Masters and Johnson used who are their original subjects?
Male and female sex workers
-they were comfortable with their sexuality
Then moved to “normal subjects”
- Screened volunteers for wellness
- Participants had previous experience
- Partnered and solo sex
What was masters and Johnson sampling style?
Non-probability sampling
Recruited “normal” participants seen as a departure
Participants were local Medical school students, students and community members
Did masters and Johnson exclude people?
People were excluded if “emotional” issues existed
What were the results of the masters Johnson study?
Identified 4 stages of the sexual response cycle for men and women
- Excitement phase
- Plateau phase
- Orgasmic phase
- Resolution phase
same for both sets, just socialized about sex differently
How did masters and Johnson distribute the data?
Not intended for medical/academic audience but the books were for the general public as well
How was using sex works helpful?
Data collected from sex workers included information about how they addressed sexual issues -incorporated into proposed therapies for sexual dysfunction -- attended by both partners -- eg. The squeeze technique for EE
How do you measure physiological response in males?
Physiological measures of male sexual arousal by measuring penile circumference
-Penile strain gauge -Erectometer
Anal measurement of muscle contractions during orgasm
-Anal probe used to measure muscular contractions during orgasm
How do you measure physiological response in males?
Photoplethysmograph & electromyograph
- Blood flow sensor used during “artificial coition” condition of the data collection process
- Muscle activity sensors
- HR and BP rates
- Anal probes
What are research limitations of masters and Johnson ?
Expensive and time consuming
Sample size limited by time constrains and participant pool that is willing to volunteer for the study
Questions about whether sexual behaviour in the lab is representative of behaviour in peoples homes
Volunteer or sampling bias
What did masters and Johnson contribute to research?
Ethical considerations in the studies
Interviews screen for wellness
Explicit questions about sexuality to assess comfort t with subject matter
Opportunities for potential participants to ask questions 5 year follow up
What are the large-scale studies in the states?
Large scale national health and social life survey (NHSLS) 1994
- 18-59
- 79% response rate
- face to face interviews and self reported questionnaire
Large Scale national survey of sexual health and behaviour (NSSHB) 2009
- 14-94
- 50% response rate for adults over 18
- 62% response rate for adolescents
- web based data collection
What are the large-scale studies in the UK?
National survey of sexual attitudes and lifestyle (Natsal) 2014
- every 10 years
- 58% response rate
- CASI in people home
- sub samples for urine and saliva samples for STIs
What are the large-scale studies in the Australia?
Australian Study of Health and Relationships (ASHR) 2008
- CASI by telephone
- 73% response rate
Are there youth sexual studies?
Canada youth, Sexual health and HIV/AIDS 2003
- Focus on sexual health
- Grade 7,9,11
- some schools opted out and parents did not sign consent
-results: adolescent sex similar age range but more frequent over time
What are studies of special populations?
Collaborative, participatory, and action based models
Ethical considerations to protect participants
Community input key to fine tuning the research process
Data is more equitably shared and beneficial
Collaborate on next steps and future directions
Mentor participants in gaining research skills that can contribute to their communities, policy development, and academics literature.
What are media content analysis?
A set of procedure used to make valid inferences about text
Best studies use inter-rater reliability when coding the data
Need to look for simlar things with this data, looking at data independently and then comparing them (qualitative)
What are media content analysis studies for magazine studies?
Sexual media reflects sexual standards & attitudes and sets agenda on attractiveness
What did they find in the playboy study?
Explicitness was found to increase over time until levelling off in the early 1980s
Objectification was found to decrease from the 1950s to the late 1960s and then increase slightly during the mid-1970s
-Overall, objectification level was low
The mean age of the models was 21.3 years and increased
linearly over time
How are peoples attitudes and behaviour shaped by the media?
This link has been demonstrated both at the micro and at the macro levels of analysis.
However, when people are asked directly about the
impact of mass media they tend to deny that they are
-People tend to describe themselves as critical and sceptical media consumers
What was the MAtika-Tyndale study with exotic dancers?
30 exotic dancers interviewed to assess whether activities within and outside of their employment increased risk of STI/STD infection and transmission
Qualitative data allowed for in-depth reflections to be included in the open-ended questionnaires
How did the Matika-Tyndale study gather their data?
Data gathering technique called Non-probability purposive sampling
-Dancers identified through “snowballing”
Key informants, RAs from the community of dancers
Anonymity paramount due to stigma associated with exotic dancing
How did the Natika-Tyndale studies start dancing?
All participants began dancing for the money
Some saw their dancing as temporary and goal oriented (eg get $ for school)
Some shifted to being career dancers
What are participant observer studies?
A research method in which the scientist becomes part of the community to be studied and makes observations from inside the community
- Non-participating Observer -Descriptive Research
- Intent is to not disrupt naturally occurring behaviours
Why do we use case studies?
Provide rich data about a person, or a community and
their experiences
-Provides depth and breadth of information
Sharing data can lead to valuable data
Cannot extrapolate to broader population due to small sample size, possible unique nature of conditions
-Data gatherer(s) may miss valuable information
Who is David Reimer?
Attempted to put the nature versus nurture debate to rest
Controversial data collection practices
Unethical sharing of research findings
Ethical violations that adversely affected vulnerable participants (“subjects”)
What are the ethical issues in sex research?
All research has the potential to do harm, even if that harm is unintentional
Sex research is an area approached with caution as the subject matter is emotionally charged and may expose participant’s vulnerabilities
What are the 4 points for having an ethical study?
Free and informed consent
Protection from harm
Justice
Balancing harms and benefits
What does having free and informed consent mean?
No coercion, enticements to participate
Violated in early sex research ( pre-1970’s)
What does having protection from harm?
Minimize physical and psychological stress associated with participation
What does having justice?
Research should benefit all equally and not harm one group unduly
What does balancing harms and benefits mean?
Harms- benefits analysis
Usually listed on consent form for true informed consent
Why was the Syphilis study unethical?
They developed the cure while conducting the study but chose not to give it to the meant because they wanted to see syphilis at all stages and including before death
Why was the women health initiative study in 1991 better than the syphilis study?
After 5 years they found out that hormonal therapy had really and consequences and couldn’t continue their research to the 15 year mark
