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Thesis/Dissertation Information
- Degree Disciplines:
- Psychology
Notes
- Abstract:
- Abundant research has shown gender differences in the mating behaviors of heterosexual men and women. In particular, heterosexual men are more sexually promiscuous than heterosexual women. Some theorists speculate that lesbians are more similar to heterosexual men than heterosexual women in their mating behavior. Additionally, within the lesbian population, those identified as butch have indicated more permissive attitudes toward sexual promiscuity than those identified as femme. This study examined sexual promiscuity between lesbians and heterosexual women as well as between lesbians classified as either butch or femme. In the analysis of data from an online survey of sexual attitudes and behaviors, the responses of lesbians (n = 67) and heterosexual women (n = 433) to 16 measures of sexual promiscuity were compared. The data were analyzed using two one-way, between subjects, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVAs). Results suggest that lesbians may be more sexually promiscuous than their heterosexual counterparts. This is consistent with the argument that the neural organization underlying sexual behavior in lesbians is more similar to that of heterosexual men than heterosexual women. The existence of a continuum to account for the varying expression of sexual orientation is evident (Muscarella et al., 2004). However, it can also be explained by socio-cultural factors such as rejection of the stereotypic female role in sexual expression. Results did not suggest that butch lesbians are more sexually promiscuous than femme lesbians. This is inconsistent with previous findings, but the butch-femme measure used in this study may not have accounted for the potentially broader meaning of butch and femme.
- Thesis:
- Thesis (M.S.)--Barry University, 2011.
- Bibliography:
- Includes bibliographical references (leaves 55-58).
Record Information
- Source Institution:
- Barry University
- Holding Location:
- Barry University Archives and Special Collections
- Rights Management:
- Copyright Michelle L. Petty. Permission granted to Barry University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
- Resource Identifier:
- HQ75.5.P47 2011_PettyMichelle ( BU-Local )
- Classification:
- HQ75.5.P47 2011 ( lcc )
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