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Sex, Evolution, and Google. Patrick M. Markey. Interpersonal Research Lab InterpersonalResearch.com. SEX. Why do it? Typically think of sex as a conscious choice motivated by romantic love, simple pleasure or to reproduce. SEX. The causes and consequences of sex can be complex.
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Sex, Evolution, and Google Patrick M. Markey Interpersonal Research Lab InterpersonalResearch.com
SEX • Why do it? • Typically think of sex as a conscious choice motivated by romantic love, simple pleasure or to reproduce.
SEX • The causes and consequences of sex can be complex. • How are our daily behavioral patterns related to sexual promiscuity? • What can Bonobos menstrual cycles teach us about sex? • Do our past sexual behaviors relate to the love and harmony we experience in our current relationships? • How did President Obama affect our sex lives?
The Interpersonal Meaning of Sexual Promiscuity Markey & Markey, 2007
Sex • "Sex is a conversation carried out by other means.”
Sex and Interpersonal Style • Is an individual’s interpersonal style related to his or her sexual promiscuity?
Method • Participates • 210 participants • 105 men and 105 women • Mean age = 24.88 years • Measures • IAS • Sexual promiscuity (different levels of intimacy) • 1) One minute continuous lip kissing • 2) Manual manipulation of nude partner’s genitals • 3) Oral manipulation of nude partner’s genitals • 4) Sexual intercourse
Results • For both males and females dominance was positively related to: • 1) One minute continuous lip kissing • 2) Manual manipulation of nude partner’s genitals • 3) Oral manipulation of nude partner’s genitals • 4) Sexual intercourse
Results • Warmth had a quadratic relationship with: • 1) One minute continuous lip kissing • 2) Manual manipulation of nude partner’s genitals • 3) Oral manipulation of nude partner’s genitals • 4) Sexual intercourse
Sex and Interpersonal Style Possible explanations why: Dominant individuals • Not shy about seeking out partners Submissive individuals • May wait to be sought out (and may remain waiting in some cases) Cold individuals • May use sex as a way to avoid a monogamous relationship • Might view sex as a selfish act wherein they seek as much pleasure as possible Warm individuals • May view sex as a generous act and use it as an opportunity to exchange love, intimacy or friendship with as many people as possible
The interpersonal nature of sexual behavior in romantic relationships Garcia & Markey, 2007 Markey & Markey, 2009
Current Research • Examine two types of sexual behaviors in the context of romantic relationships • Prior sexual promiscuity • Sexual Adventure
Current Research • Examine two types of sexual behaviors in the context of romantic relationships • Prior sexual promiscuity • Sexual Adventure
Current Research • Examine two types of sexual behaviors in the context of romantic relationships • Prior sexual promiscuity • Sexual Adventure
Current Study What do we get? • Do individuals tend to form long-term romantic relationships with other people who have similar levels of sexual promiscuity and adventure? What works? • Do similar levels of sexual experience and adventure relate to harmonious and loving relationships?
Current Study What do we get? • Do individuals tend to form long-term romantic relationships with other people who have similar levels of sexual promiscuity and adventure? What works? • Do similar levels of sexual promiscuity and adventure relate to harmonious and loving relationships?
Participants • 86 romantic couples (182 participants) • All involved in a monogamous relationship for at least 1 year • M age = 25.86 years
Relationship Quality • Martial Interaction Scale • Love and commitment • “To what extent do you love your partner at this stage?” • “How committed do you feel toward your partner?” • Harmony • When you and your partner argue, how serious are the problems or arguments? • How often do you and your partner argue with each other?"
Sexual Promiscuity • Sexual promiscuity prior to the present relationship • How many different people, other than with your current partner, have you engaged in sexual intercourse (i.e., the penetration of the vagina by the penis) ?
Sexual Adventure Attached is a list of sexual activities in which you may or may not have engaged. Please indicate whether or not you engaged in each activity prior to your present relationship (Bentler’s Heterosexual Behavioral Inventory) 1. One minute continuous lip kissing with female. 2. Manual manipulation of clothed female breasts. 3. Manual manipulation of nude female breasts. 4. Manual manipulation of clothed female genitals. 5. Oral contact with nude female breasts. 6. Manual manipulation of nude female genitals. 7. Manual manipulation of your clothed genitals by female. 8. Mutual manual manipulation of clothed genitals with female. 9. Manual manipulation of your nude genitals by female. 10. Manual manipulation of nude female genitals to massive female genital secretions 11. Manual manipulation of your nude genitals to ejaculation. 12. Oral contact with your nude genitals by female. 13. Oral contact with nude female genitals. 14. Sexual intercourse (i.e., the penetration of the vagina by the penis) 15. Oral manipulation of nude female genitals. 16. Oral manipulation of your nude genitals by female. 17. Mutual oral-genital manipulation with female. 18. Mutual manual manipulation of nude genitals with female to mutual orgasm. 19. Sexual intercourse, rear entry (i.e.,. The penetration of the anus by the penis). 20. Oral manipulation of your nude genitals to ejaculation. 21. Mutual oral manipulation of genitals with female to mutual orgasm.
Results • Correlation between sexual promiscuity and sexual adventure • Male = .33** • Female = .37**
What do we get? Do individuals tend to form long-term romantic relationships with other people who have similar levels of sexual promiscuity and adventure?
What we get .29** .28** .21* .20*
What works? • Do similar levels of sexual promiscuity and adventure relate to harmonious and loving relationships?
Actor-Partner Interdependence Model Women’s sexual adventure Women’s relationship quality Men’s sexual adventure Men’s relationship quality
Actor-Partner Interdependence Model Actor Effect Women’s sexual adventure Women’s relationship quality Men’s sexual adventure Men’s relationship quality Actor Effect
Actor-Partner Interdependence Model Women’s sexual adventure Women’s relationship quality Partner Effect Partner Effect Men’s sexual adventure Men’s relationship quality
Actor-Partner Interdependence Model Women’s sexual adventure Women’s relationship quality Similar sexual adventure Men’s sexual adventure Men’s relationship quality
Actor-Partner Interdependence Model Women’s sexual adventure Women’s relationship quality Actor-Partner Similarity Effect Similar sexual adventure Different Drug Use Actor-Partner Similarity Effect Men’s sexual adventure Men’s relationship quality
Results: PromiscuityActor and Partner Effects Women’s sexual promiscuity Women’s relationship quality Men’s sexual promiscuity Men’s relationship quality
Results: Promiscuity Actor and Partner Effects .03 -.26* Women’s sexual adventure Women’s sexual promiscuity Women’s relationship quality -.12 -.12 Men’s sexual adventure Men’s sexual promiscuity Men’s relationship quality
Results: Promiscuity Actor-Partner Similarity Effect Women’s sexual adventure Women’s relationship quality .04 .04 Similar sexual promiscuity Different Drug Use Men’s sexual adventure Men’s relationship quality
Results: AdventureActor and Partner Effects Women’s sexual adventure Women’s relationship quality Men’s sexual adventure Men’s relationship quality
Results: Adventure Actor and Partner Effects -.01 .-.01 Women’s sexual adventure Women’s relationship quality .01 .20* Men’s sexual adventure Men’s relationship quality
Results: Adventure Actor-Partner Similarity Effect Women’s sexual adventure Women’s relationship quality .22* .22* Similar sexual adventure Different Drug Use Men’s sexual adventure Men’s relationship quality
The interpersonal nature of sexual behavior in romantic relationships • Possible explanations why: • Sexually promiscuous men tend to report low levels of relationship quality • Commitment issues: Promiscuous men might not like being in monogamous relationships • Sexually adventurous men tend to have partners who report high levels of relationship quality • Sexual benefits: Women might obtain a sexual “benefit” by being in a relationship with an adventurous mate
Primates Bonobo “Pygmy Chimpanzee”
Primates During high fertility increases in: Sexual receptivity Mate selectivity Mate attraction behaviors
Sexual receptivity during high fertility • Sexual behaviors • Think and fantasize about sex more • More likely to fantasize about having sex with a person who is not her primary mate • More likely to accept a date