Psychology 4990F-001
Special Topics in Psychology:The Psychology of Sexual Behavior
If there is a discrepancy between the outline posted below and the outline posted on the OWL course website, the latter shall prevail.
1.0 CALENDAR DESCRIPTION
Selected topics of current interest in social psychology.
Prerequisite: Psychology 2820E, or both Psychology 2800E and 2810, plus registration in third or fourth year Honours Specialization in Psychology or Honours Specialization in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience. Other Psychology students and Special Students who receive 75% in the prerequisite courses may enroll in this course. Unless you have either the requisites for this course or written special permission from your Dean to enroll in it, you may be removed from this course and it will be deleted from your record. This decision may not be appealed. You will receive no adjustment to your fees in the event that you are dropped from a course for failing to have the necessary prerequisites.
2.0 COURSE INFORMATION
Instructor: Professor William A. Fisher
Department of Psychology
Social Science Centre 7428
661-2111, extension 84665
Email: fisher@uwo.ca
Time and Location of Lectures: Monday 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Alumni Hall 101.
If you or someone you know is experiencing distress, there are several resources here at Western to assist you. Please visit: http://www.uwo.ca/uwocom/mentalhealth/ for more information on these resources and on mental health.
Please contact the course instructor if you require material in an alternate format or if you require any other arrangements to make this course more accessible to you. You may also wish to contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) at 519-661-2111 ext 82147 for any specific question regarding an accommodation.
3.0 TEXTBOOK
There is no textbook for this seminar. Assigned readings, listed below, are to be completed as specified before each class meeting, according to the schedule that follows.
4.0 COURSE OBJECTIVES
Psychologists are committed to the scientific study of sexual behaviour for both theoretical and practical reasons. From a theoretical perspective, generalizable psychological theory may be developed and tested in research concerning sexual behaviour. From a practical perspective, psychological knowledge may be applied to ameliorate problematic aspects of sexual behaviour and accentuate positive aspects of such behaviour. In accord with these theoretical and practical concerns, psychologists have worked to develop conceptual models of factors that influence human sexual behaviour and to apply psychological knowledge to reduce sex-related problems and increase sex-related positive outcomes.
This seminar on the psychology of human sexual behaviour will involve lectures, readings, class discussions, and student presentations focusing on history, ethics, methodology, theory, and selected content areas that are significant in this field of study. Each class will involve a didactic content-focused lecture and a class discussion of assigned primary source readings. Acquisition of foundational knowledge in selected areas of the psychology of sexual behaviour is a primary objective of this course. Please note that the subject matter of this seminar is human sexual behaviour. The course will involve explicit discussion and imagery of a variety of aspects of sexual behaviour.
5.0 EVALUATION
Evaluation is based on class participation (25%), readings-linked questions for class discussion, turned in prior to each class meeting (15%), class presentation of student seminar papers (20%), and student seminar papers (40%) that will consist of 10-12 page reviews of the literature in an area of the psychology of sexual behaviour of student interest as agreed upon with the instructor.
The Psychology Department follows the University of Western Ontario grading guidelines, which are as follows (see http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/general/grades_undergrad.pdf ):
A+ 90-100 One could scarcely expect better from a student at this level
A 80-89 Superior work that is clearly above average
B 70-79 Good work, meeting all requirements, and eminently satisfactory
C 60-69 Competent work, meeting requirements
D 50-59 Fair work, minimally acceptable
F below 50 Fail
6.0 TEST AND EXAMINATION SCHEDULE
There are no examinations in this course. Evaluation is based on class participation, evaluated continuously (25%),class reading - linked questions for class discussion turned in prior to each class meeting (15%), class presentation of student seminar papers (20%), and student seminar papers (40%) that will consist of 10-12 page reviews of the literature in an area of the psychology of sexual behaviour of student interest as agreed upon with the instructor.
Class presentation of student seminar papers (20% of final mark) will take place on November 23, November 30 and December 7, 2015 and student seminar papers (40% of final mark) that will consist of 10-12 page reviews of the literature in an area of the psychology of sexual behavior of student interest as agreed upon with the instructor, are due December 9, 2015.
7.0 SEMINAR SCHEDULE
Dates, Topics, and Readings
Note: Readings listed in the “Class Readings” sections, following, are required readings for all students. Each student is required to submit to the instructor (fisher@uwo.ca) two questions or issues for discussion that emerge from assigned class readings, each week, for circulation by the instructor to the seminar, to be used for class discussion. These two questions, concerning assigned “Class Readings,” are to be prepared in advance and submitted to the instructor by Sunday evening at 8 pm, before the seminar meeting the next day.
Each seminar will consist of a didactic lecture concerning the topic of the week, following by active, evaluated seminar discussion of assigned readings involving the questions for discussion that students have prepared.
One student will be assigned, the preceding week, to kick off class discussion of the assigned readings with a no longer than 5 minute thumbnail introduction to the assigned class readings.
September 14: Class Introduction and Orientation
Online Slide Set Only—No Class Meeting
September 21: Introduction and History of the Scientific Study of Sexual Behavior
Class Readings:
Jones, J.R. (1997). Annals of sexology. Dr. Yes. New Yorker, August, September, pages 99-113.
(Available on Google Scholar)
Fisher, W.A. (1997). Sex psych prof takes heat: Fear and loathing on the research trail.
In G. Brannigan, E.R. Allgeier, & A.R. Allgeier (Eds.), The Sex Scientists. New York: Longmans. (Class website)
September 28: Ethical and Methodological Issues in Sexual Science
Ethical Issues: Sex Researchers are Perverts
Class Readings:
Rind, B., Tromovich, P., & Bauserman, R. (1998) A meta-analytic examination of assumed properties of child sexual abuse using college samples. Psychological Bulletin, 124, 22-53.
Rind, B., Tromovich, P., & Bauserman, R. (2000) Science versus orthodoxy: Anatomy of the congressional condemnation of a scientific article and reflections on remedies for future ideological attacks. Applied and Preventive Psychology, 9, 4, 211-225.
Tape: William Master's Reminisces (to be played in class)
Further reading for those interested:
Abramson, P.R. (1977) Ethical requirements for research on human sexual behavior: From the perspective of the participating subject. Journal of Social Issues, 33, 184-192.
Bullough, V.L. (1988) Problems of research on a delicate topic: A personal view Journal of Sex Research, 21:4, 375-386.
Fisher, W.A. (1997). Do no harm: On the ethics of testosterone replacement therapy for HIV-positive persons, and reactions to commentary. Journal of Sex Research, 34, 35-38. (Read responses by Teifer and Wagner et al. on pages 37-38 as well)
Mustanski, B. (2011) Ethical and regulatory issues with conducting sexuality research with LGBT adolescents: A call to action for a scientifically informed approach. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 40:673–686
Troiden, R.R. (1987) Walking the line: The personal and professional risks of sex education and research. Teaching Sociology, 15: 241-249.
Wagner, G., Rabkin, J., & Rabkin, R. (1997). Testosterone replacement therapy on sexual interest, function, and behavior in HIV+ men. Journal of Sex Research, 34, 27-33
October 5: Ethical and Methodological Issues in Sexual Science
Methodological Issues: Sex Researchers are Idiots
Class Readings:
Chivers, M.L Et al (2010) Agreement of self-reported and genital measures of sexual arousal in men and women: A Meta-Analysis. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 39: 5-56.
Saunders, D.M., Fisher, W.A., Hewitt, E.C., & Clayton, J.P. (1985). A method for empirically assessing volunteer selection effects: Recruitment procedures and responses to erotica. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 49, 1703-1712.
Seal, D.W. (1997). Interpartner concordance of self-reported sexual behavior among college dating couples. Journal of Sex Research, 34, 39-55.
Further reading for those interested
Fisher, W. A., Dervaitis, K. L., Bryan, A. D., Silcox, J., & Kohn, H. (2000). Sexual health, reproductive health, sexual coercion, and partner abuse indicators in a Canadian obstetrics and gynaecology outpatient population. Journal of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, 22, 714-722.
Kukkonen, T. et al. (2010) An evaluation of the validity of thermography as a physiological measure ofsexual arousal in a non-university adult sample. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 39, 4:861 -873.
Laumann, E.O., Gagnon, J.H., Michael, ER. T., & Michaels, S. (1994). The social organization of sexuality. Sexual practices in the United States. (Chapter 2, Study Design, 35-73). Chicago, Illinois: University of Chicago Press.
Kinsey, A.C., Pomeroy, W.B., & Martin, C.E. (1948). Sexual behavior in the human male. Philadelphia: Saunders. (pps. 120-153: Research Methodology).
Kinsey, A.C., Pomeroy, W.B., Martin, C.E., & Gebhard, P. (1953). Sexual behavior in the human female. Philadelphia: Saunders. (pps. 66-83: Reliability of the Data).
Mustanski, B. (2001). Getting wired: Exploiting the Internet for the collection of valid sexuality data. Journal of Sex Research, 38, 292-301.
October 12: Thanksgiving Holiday
October 19: Theories of Human Sexual Behavior
Class Readings:
Fisher, W.A. (1986). A psychological approach to human sexuality: The Sexual Behavior Sequence. In D. Byrne & K. Kelley (Eds.), Alternative approaches to the study of sexual behavior. Erlbaum: Hillsdale, N.J.
Baumeister, R. (2000). Gender differences in erotic plasticity: The female sex drive as socially flexible and responsive. Psychological Bulletin, 126, 347-374.
Further reading for those interested:
Albarracín, D., Johnson, B. T., Fishbein, M., & Muellerleile, P. A. (2001). Theories of Reasoned Action and Planned Behavior as models of condom use: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 127, 142-161.
Buss, D. (1994) The evolution of desire. Strategies of human mating. New York: Basic Books.
Hyde, J.S. (2005) The gender similarities hypothesis. American Psychologist, 60, 6:581-592.
Gallup, G. (1986). Unique features of human sexuality in the context of evolution. In D. Byrne & K. Kelley (Eds.), Alternative approaches to the study of sexual behavior. Erlbaum: Hillsdale, N.J.
Miller, G. et al. (2007). Ovulatory cycle effects on tip earnings by lap dancers: Economic evidence for human estrus? Evolution and Human Behavior, 28, 375–381.
Oliver, M.B., & Hyde, J.S. (1993) Gender differences in sexuality: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 114: 29-51.
October 26: Erotica, Pornography, and Behaviour
Exposure to Erotic Stimuli Causes Antiwoman Attitudes and Antiwoman Acts
Class Readings:
Donnerstein, E., & Berkowitz, L. (1981). Victim reactions in aggressive erotic films as a factor in violence against women. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 41, 710-724.
Malamuth, N.M., Hald, G.M.,Addison, T., & Koss, M. (2012) Pornography, individual differences in risk and men's acceptance of violence against women in a representative sample. Sex Roles, 66:427-439.
Further reading for those interested:
Check, J.V.P., & Guloien, T.H. (1989). Reported proclivity for coercive sex following repeated exposure to sexually violent pornography, nonviolent dehumanizing pornography, and erotica. In D.
Zillmann & J. Bryant (Eds.),Pornography: Research Advances and Policy Considerations. Hillsdale, N.J.: Erlbaum.
Malamuth, N.M., & Check, J.V.P. (1981). The effects of mass media exposure on the Acceptance of violence against women: A field experiment. Journal of Research in Personality, 15, 436-446.
Zillmann D, Bryant J. Effects of massive exposure to pornography. In: Malamuth NM, Donnerstein, E, editors. Pornography and sexual aggression. New York: Academic Press; 1984. p. 115-138.
November 2: Erotica, Pornography, and Behaviour (continued)
Exposure to Erotic Stimuli Does Not Cause Antiwoman Attitudes or Antiwoman Acts
Class Readings
Fisher, W.A., & Barak, A. (1991). Erotica, pornography, and behavior: More questions than answers. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 14, 65-84.
Fisher, W.A., & Grenier, G. (1994). Violent pornography, antiwoman attitudes, and antiwoman acts: In search of reliable effects. Journal of Sex Research, 31, 23-38.
Kohut, T., Baer, J. L., Watts, B. (2015). Is pornography really about “making hate to women?” People who use pornography hold more gender egalitarian attitudes than people who do not use pornography in a representative American sample. Journal of Sex Research.
Further reading for those interested:
Baer, J., Kohut, T., & Fisher, W.A. (2015) Is pornography use associated with antiwoman sexual aggression? Re-examining the confluence model with third variable considerations, Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality.
Barak, A., Fisher, W. A., Belfry, S., & Lashambe D. R. (1999). Sex, guys, and cyberspace: Effects of internet pornography and individual differences on men’s attitudes toward women. Journal of Psychology and Human Sexuality, 11, 63-92.
Fisher, W.A., Kohut, T., Lisha, A., DiGioacchino, A., & Federoff, P. (2013) Pornography, sex crime, and paraphilia. Current Psychiatry Reports, 15:362-370.
Kohut, T., & Fisher, W. A. (2012). Pornography, effects on attitudes and behaviors (pp. 132-139).
In V.S.Ramachandran (Ed.), Encyclopedia of human behavior. (2nd ed.). Academic Press.
Kutchinsky, B. (1991). Pornography and rape: Theory and practice? International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 14, 47-64.
Malamuth, N.M., & Ceniti, J. (1986). Repeated exposure to violent and nonviolent pornography: Likelihood of raping ratings and laboratory aggression against women. Aggressive Behavior, 12, 129-137.
November 9: Understanding and Promoting Reproductive Health
Class Readings
Fisher, W.A., & Fisher, J.D. (1999). Understanding and promoting sexual and reproductive health behavior. In R. Rosen, C. Davis, & H. Ruppel (Eds.), Annual Review of Sex Research, Volume IX (pp. 39-76); Mason City, IA: Society for the Scientific Study of Sex.
Kirby, D. (2007) Abstinence, sex, and STD/HIV education programs for teens: Their impact on sexual behavior, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted disease. In Annual Review of Sex Research, Vol XVIII (143-177), D.L Rowland & C. Davis (Eds). Mason City, Iowa: Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality.
Further Reading for Those Interested
Fisher, W.A., Bryan, A., Dervaitis, K.L., Silcox, J. & Kohn, H. (2002). It ain't necessarily so: Most women do not strongly prefer female obstetrician- gynaecologists. Canadian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 24(11) 1-4.
Fisher, W.A., Singh, S.S., Shuper, P.A., Carey, M., Otchet, F., MacLean-Birne, D., DelBello, D., & Gunter, J. (2005). Characteristics of women undergoing repeat therapeutic abortion. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 172, 637-641.
Fisher, W.A., & Steben, M. (2014). Sexually transmitted infections. At the junction of biology and behavior. (pps. 184-213) In C. Pukall (Ed.), Human sexuality. A contemporary introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
November 16: HIV Risk and HIV Prevention
Class Readings
Fisher, WA, Fisher, JD, & Shuper, P. (2014) Social psychology and the fight against AIDS: An Information—Motivation—Behavioral Skills model for the prediction and promotion of health behavior change. In J. Olson and M. Zanna (Eds.), Advances in Experimental Social Psychology. Elsevier.
Fisher, W. A., Fisher, J. D., & Kohut, T. (2009) AIDS exceptionalism? The social psychology of HIV prevention research. Social Issues and Policy Review, 3, 45-77.
HIV Prevention Intervention Materials Presented in Class: "Just Like Me" and "Stakes are High"
Further reading for those interested:
Fisher, J.D., & Fisher, W.A. (1992). Changing AIDS risk behavior. Psychological Bulletin,111, 455-474.
Fisher, J. D ., Fisher, W. A., Misovich, S. J., & Bryan, A. D. (2002). Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model-based HIV risk behavior change intervention for inner-city high school youth. Health Psychology, 21(2) 177-186.
Fisher, J.D., Fisher, W.A., Cornman, D.H., Amico, R.K., Bryan, A., & Friedland, G.H. (2006) Clinician-delivered intervention during routine clinical care reduces unprotected sexual behavior among HIV-infected patients. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, 41(1), 44-52.
Fisher, JD, Cornman, DH, Shuper, PA, Christie, S., Pillay, S., MacDonald, S., Ngcobo, N., Amico, R., Lalloo, U., & Fisher, W.A. (2014) HIV prevention counseling intervention delivered during routine clinical care reduces HIV transmission risk behavior in HIV-infected South Africans receiving antiretroviral therapy: The Izindlela Zokuphila/Options for Health randomized trial. Journal of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndromes.
Misovich, S.J., Fisher, J.D., & Fisher, W.A. (1997). Close relationships and elevated HIV risk behavior. Evidence and possible underlying psychological processes. Review of General Psychology, 1, 72-107.
November 23 Seminar Presentations
Six students will present 15 minute clear and compelling talks concerning their seminar paper topic literature review.
November 30 Seminar Presentations
Six students will present 15 minute clear and compelling talks concerning their seminar paper topic literature review.
December 7: Seminar Presentations
Six students will present 15 minute clear and compelling talks concerning their seminar paper topic literature review.
December 9: Seminar Papers Due
8.0 STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC OFFENCES
Students are responsible for understanding the nature and avoiding the occurrence of plagiarism and other scholastic offenses. Plagiarism and cheating are considered very serious offenses because they undermine the integrity of research and education. Actions constituting a scholastic offense are described at the following link: http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/appealsundergrad.pdf
As of Sept. 1, 2009, the Department of Psychology will take the following steps to detect scholastic offenses. All multiple-choice tests and exams will be checked for similarities in the pattern of responses using reliable software, and records will be made of student seating locations in all tests and exams. All written assignments will be submitted to TurnItIn, a service designed to detect and deter plagiarism by comparing written material to over 5 billion pages of content located on the Internet or in TurnItIn’s databases. All papers submitted for such checking will be included as source documents in the reference database for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of papers subsequently submitted to the system. Use of the service is subject to the licensing agreement, currently between The University of Western Ontario and Turnitin.com (http://www.turnitin.com).
Possible penalties for a scholastic offense include failure of the assignment, failure of the course, suspension from the University, and expulsion from the University.
9.0 POLICY ON ACCOMMODATION FOR MEDICAL ILLNESS
Western’s policy on Accommodation for Medical Illness can be found at:
http://www.westerncalendar.uwo.ca/2015/pg117.html
Students must see the Academic Counsellor and submit all required documentation in order to be approved for
certain accommodation:
http://counselling.ssc.uwo.ca/procedures/medical_accommodation.html
10.0 OTHER INFORMATION
Office of the Registrar web site: http://registrar.uwo.ca
Student Development Services web site: http://www.sdc.uwo.ca
Please see the Psychology Undergraduate web site for information on the following:
http://psychology.uwo.ca/undergraduate/student_responsibilities/index.html
- Policy on Cheating and Academic Misconduct
- Procedures for Appealing Academic Evaluations
- Policy on Attendance
- Policy Regarding Makeup Exams and Extensions of Deadlines
- Policy for Assignments
- Short Absences
- Extended Absences
- Documentation
- Academic Concerns
- 2015 Calendar References
No electronic devices, including cell phones, will be allowed during exams.
Additional Information Concerning Sex Research for Those Interested
Periodicals:
Journal of Sex Research
Journal of Sexual Medicine
Archives of Sexual Behavior
Annual Review of Sex Research
Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada
International Journal of Sexual Health
Websites:
Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
http://www.Sexualityandu.ca
Public Health Agency of Canada: www.phac-aspc.gc.ca
Centers for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov/hiv
UN AIDS: http://data.unaids.org
Advanced Textbook
Pukall, C.F. (Ed.) (2014) Human sexuality. A contemporary introduction : Oxford University Press. Don Mills, CA.Sexual Harassment and Sexual Trauma Resources
Sexual Harassment:
UWO Sexual Harassment (Office of Equity and Human Rights) 519-661-3334
Sexual Assault:
London Police 911
UWO Student Health Services (Medical Care, Counselling) 519-661-3030
UWO Student Development Centre (Crisis Counselling, Psychological Services) 519-661-3031
Sexual Assault Centre London—St. Joseph’ (24 Hour Crisis and Support Line) 519.438-2272
Regional Sexual Assault Program, St. Joseph’s Hospital (medical care, examination, counselling) 519 646-6100 ext. 64224
