The present study used a delay discounting procedure to characterize choice behaviors in behavioral impulsivity regarding hypothetical monetary outcomes in relation to political, religious and sexual attitudes. Participants were presented with three separate metrics to measure their political, religious and sexual attitudes and then with delay discounting choices, regarding hypothetical monetary outcomes. In the delay discounting measure, participants were presented with a hypothetical scenario, a preference for a certain monetary amount now, or $1,000 at a later specified time. The survey was administered with 26 participants; however, four of the participants’ data were removed due to errors. Results indicated there was no significant relationship between AUC values and political attitudes - r (22) = .14, r2 = .02, p > .05, p = .26. Results indicated there was no significant relationship between AUC values and religious attitudes - r (22) = .27, r2 = .07, p > .05, p = .11. A significant relationship was found between AUC and sexual attitudes - r (22) = -.39, r2 = .15, p < .05, p = .048. Furthermore, the results indicated there was a significant relationship between AUC values and the communion subscale of sexual attitudes – r (22) = -.48, r2 = .23, p < .05, p = .01. The current investigation has implications for further understanding of choice and decision-making behavior and how to predict and influence the respective choices and decisions to improve the quality of life of all individuals.

People engage in sex for a wide variety of reasons and these reasons can differ depending on the individual, his or her partner, and on the context of the sexual encounter. The purpose of this dissertation was to examine how sexual attraction and sexual orientation, of both self and partner, affect an individual’s reasons to engage in sex, or sexual motivation. Three studies were conducted to explore these effects from both the individual’s and the partner’s perspective. In Study 1, individual attitudes toward having casual sex, dating, and being in a committed relationship with a bisexual partner of the other gender were examined in a sample of 720 men and women. Participants reported negative attitudes toward having these relationships and more negative attitudes were reported as the commitment level of the considered relationship increased. Women also reported more negative attitudes and greater insecurity toward relationships than men. In Study 2, the psychometric properties of a comprehensive research tool, the Why Have Sex? (YSEX?) questionnaire to use in Study 3 for the study of sexual motivation were evaluated in a sample of 146 women with same-sex attraction. Overall, the reliability of this scale was excellent for casual sex motivations and motivations for sex in committed relationships with female partners. In Study 3, motivations for sex and the effects of relationship context, sexual attraction, and the gender of one’s partner were explored in a sample of 510 women including women with same-sex attraction and women with exclusively heterosexual attraction. Results of this study showed that relationship context had the largest effect on sexual motivation; physical motivations were more strongly endorsed for casual sex while emotional motivations were more strongly endorsed for sex in committed relationships. No effect of sexual attraction was reported. Further, no effect of gender of partner was reported by sexual minority women. The results of this dissertation have important implications for the study of sexual motivation, specifically as it relates to sexual attraction and orientation. Motivations for sex are likely to be affected by an individual’s attitudes and perceptions of his or her partner’s sexual orientation and associated stereotypes. In addition, the type of sexual relationship and associated level of commitment had strong, differential effects on sexual motivation. This is a novel finding as the context of the sexual relationship has not previously been considered with respect to individual motivations for sex. Henceforth, studies on sexual motivation need to be more contextualized and include more comprehensive assessments of individuals to increase the validity of findings and demonstrate the complex variation of human sexual motivation.

Numerous researchers have addressed the impact of individual religiosity or spirituality on psychological well-being. However, studies addressing the possible relationship between religiosity and sexuality, specifically in the form of deterrence of certain sexual thoughts or behaviors based upon religious dictates, remain sparse. Individual religiosity may be related to individual sexual self-expression. Built on the framework of cognitive-dissonance theory and self-determination theory, this quantitative, correlational study was designed to examine the relationships between religiosity and sexual attitudes and behaviors of both theist and nontheist population samples comprised of approximately 400 subjects throughout the United States. Study participants completed the Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory in addition to a demographic questionnaire designed specifically for the research. A 2-step hierarchical binary logistic regression was performed to address the research questions for this study. Significance was found in the regression model for 3 selected variables--age, drive, and fantasy; research questions 1 and 2 were supported with the model findings. The results also offered support for the 2 aforementioned theoretical frameworks selected for this study. The implications for positive social change include a clearer understanding of the possible relationship between religiosity and sexuality and any differences in sexual behaviors between theists and nontheists. These implications are important in that the findings may result in healthier sex lives for individuals, increased communication among couples, enhanced acceptance of different sexual orientations, and decreased cognitive dissonance among those individuals contemplating or struggling with sexual behaviors that negate the teachings of their religious tenets.

The purpose of this research was to explore the relationship between exposure to media variables and emerging adults' attitudes toward women and sex. Previous research indicated that exposure to media variables can influence the thoughts, behaviors, and attitudes of those exposed. The current study examined how age at exposure to media variables impacted attitudes about sex and attitudes toward women. Six-hundred and ninety four college students were given a questionnaire containing an attitudes toward women scale, a sexual attitudes scale, and a media viewing questionnaire. ANOVAS and linear regressions were performed on the data and results for the study were significant. Results indicated that age of media exposure impacted sexual attitudes and attitudes toward women.

The purpose of this study was to examine the factors that influence the relationship between counselors' sexual comfort and their willingness to discuss sexual issues with the couples they counsel. I surveyed 2000 members of the American Counseling Association (ACA). This study examined the relationships between counselors' sexual comfort and their willingness to discuss sexual issues with couples with a variety of variables. The results revealed that counselors' sexual education and training experience, supervision experience discussing sexuality, sexual attitudes, and age were all associated with both counselors' sexual comfort and willingness to discuss sexual issues with couples. Counselors' years of practice was found to be associated with their sexual comfort. Types of graduate specialization were found to be associated with counselors' willingness to discuss sexual issues with couples. The results of this study have implications for counselors, counselor educators, and supervisors. My hope is that counselor educators will utilize this knowledge to address counselors' in training sexual comfort level and willingness to discuss sexual issues with the couples.

Seriam as estratégias de Desconto do Futuro e as Estratégias Sexuais resultante de um mecanismo cognitivo comum de alocação de investimento? O Desconto do Futuro referese ao fato das pessoas (e outros organismos) normalmente preferirem consumir e adquirir recursos de maneira mais iminente do que esperar por um futuro incerto, envolvendo comportamentos impulsivos e de risco (Daly & Wilson, 2001). As estratégias sexuais são um sistema integrado de adaptações que organizam e guiam a alocação dos esforços reprodutivos dos indivíduos. Influenciando como os indivíduos selecionam parceiros, no quanto investem nas esferas de acasalamento e parental, etc (Buss & Schmitt, 1993). As variações encontradas entre os sexos e os indivíduos nessas duas estratégias comportamentais são resultado da alocação diferencial de investimento parental. A existência comum de variação entre os sexos e individuais, assim como a correlação direta das duas estratégias apoiaria a existência de um mecanismo comum. No presente trabalho foram realizados dois estudos. No primeiro estudo foram encontradas somente para as mulheres, relações diretas entre as estratégias, em que mulheres mais descontadoras eram sexualmente mais irrestritas, além de variações comuns entre as estratégias e fatores ontogenéticos e comportamentais. No segundo estudo foram confirmadas a relação direta feminina e foi encontrada a mesma relação para os homens, além de variações comuns entre as estratégias e fatores comportamentais. Os resultados apóiam a hipótese de mecanismo cognitivo comum de alocação de investimento, mostrando diferentes especificidades e sensibilidade entre os sexos. / Could Future Discounting and Sexual Strategies result of a common cognitive mechanism of investment allocation? Future Discounting refers to the fact that people (and other organism) usually prefer to consume and acquire resources in a more imminent way than wait for a uncertain future, involving impulsivity and risky behavior (Daly & Wilson, 2001). Sexual Strategies are a integrated system of adaptations that organize and guide individual allocation of reproductive efforts, influencing how individuals select partners, how much they invest in the mating and parental spheres, etc (Buss & Schmitt, 1993). Variations found between sexes and individuals in this behavioral strategies are resultant of differential parental investment allocation. The existence of common variation between sexes and individuals, such as correlations of the two strategies, support the existence of a common mechanism. In the present work were realized two studies. In the first study was found, only for women, direct relationship between the strategies, where the more discounting women are more sexually unrestricted, and were found common variation between the strategies and ontogenetic and environmental factors. In the second study was conformed the direct relationship to women and was found the same relationship to men, and common variations between the strategies and behavioral factors. The results support the hypotheses of common cognitive mechanism of investment allocation, showing different specificities and sensibilities between sexes.

Seriam as estratégias de Desconto do Futuro e as Estratégias Sexuais resultante de um mecanismo cognitivo comum de alocação de investimento? O Desconto do Futuro referese ao fato das pessoas (e outros organismos) normalmente preferirem consumir e adquirir recursos de maneira mais iminente do que esperar por um futuro incerto, envolvendo comportamentos impulsivos e de risco (Daly & Wilson, 2001). As estratégias sexuais são um sistema integrado de adaptações que organizam e guiam a alocação dos esforços reprodutivos dos indivíduos. Influenciando como os indivíduos selecionam parceiros, no quanto investem nas esferas de acasalamento e parental, etc (Buss & Schmitt, 1993). As variações encontradas entre os sexos e os indivíduos nessas duas estratégias comportamentais são resultado da alocação diferencial de investimento parental. A existência comum de variação entre os sexos e individuais, assim como a correlação direta das duas estratégias apoiaria a existência de um mecanismo comum. No presente trabalho foram realizados dois estudos. No primeiro estudo foram encontradas somente para as mulheres, relações diretas entre as estratégias, em que mulheres mais descontadoras eram sexualmente mais irrestritas, além de variações comuns entre as estratégias e fatores ontogenéticos e comportamentais. No segundo estudo foram confirmadas a relação direta feminina e foi encontrada a mesma relação para os homens, além de variações comuns entre as estratégias e fatores comportamentais. Os resultados apóiam a hipótese de mecanismo cognitivo comum de alocação de investimento, mostrando diferentes especificidades e sensibilidade entre os sexos. / Could Future Discounting and Sexual Strategies result of a common cognitive mechanism of investment allocation? Future Discounting refers to the fact that people (and other organism) usually prefer to consume and acquire resources in a more imminent way than wait for a uncertain future, involving impulsivity and risky behavior (Daly & Wilson, 2001). Sexual Strategies are a integrated system of adaptations that organize and guide individual allocation of reproductive efforts, influencing how individuals select partners, how much they invest in the mating and parental spheres, etc (Buss & Schmitt, 1993). Variations found between sexes and individuals in this behavioral strategies are resultant of differential parental investment allocation. The existence of common variation between sexes and individuals, such as correlations of the two strategies, support the existence of a common mechanism. In the present work were realized two studies. In the first study was found, only for women, direct relationship between the strategies, where the more discounting women are more sexually unrestricted, and were found common variation between the strategies and ontogenetic and environmental factors. In the second study was conformed the direct relationship to women and was found the same relationship to men, and common variations between the strategies and behavioral factors. The results support the hypotheses of common cognitive mechanism of investment allocation, showing different specificities and sensibilities between sexes.

Using a subsample of emerging adults from the Stepfamily Experiences Project (n = 989), we examine how parents' repartnering choices (nonmarital and premarital cohabitation) influence their emerging adult children's commitment-related relationship attitudes (attitudes about sex in committed relationships) and behaviors (hooking up). We further examine these processes at the intersection of race and gender. In this way, we expand the current emerging adult literature by exploring two understudied populations: emerging adults who grew up in stepfamilies, and emerging adults from diverse racial backgrounds. We divided our sample by race (black, Latino, American Indian, white, and multiracial) and gender, resulting in 10 groups. We compared those 10 groups using structural equation modeling within the Bayesian framework. We found a strong association for all groups between attitudes about sex in committed relationships and hooking up and a connection between parental cohabitation and hooking up, which connection was only explained by attitudes for white men. We also found significant variation at the intersection of race and gender for all but one of our hypothesized associations. These results highlight the importance of examining variation at the intersection of race and gender and also suggest that family of origin factors, such as parental cohabitation, may impact hooking up among emerging adults raised in stepfamilies.

Magister Psychologiae - MPsych / South African adolescents are engaging in sexual activities at an early age and with numerous sexual partners. Various factors such as adolescent physiology, identity development, peer influences and parent-child relationship, play a contributory role in this aspect. However, one of the less explored factors is the role of exposure to information and communication technologies containing sexual content, such as television, internet, music videos and cell phones. Adolescents have been shown to be heavy consumers of these devices. The study aimed at exploring the extent with which sexual content from these digital devices influences adolescents’ sexual perceptions and sexual behaviours. Participants comprised of 18 Grade 10 and Grade 11 learners, between ages 14 to 16 years, conveniently selected from one of the high schools in the Cape Peninsula. Two focus groups were conducted with an equal distribution of males and females in each group. Thematic analysis was utilized to describe participants’ experiences as reported in the text. Results indicated that participants regard ICT as influencing sexual attitudes and behaviour. More specifically, they believed ICT contributes greatly to early sexual initiation. Whilst some participants suggested that ICT encourages them to have many sexual partners with a “certain” physical image, some participants regarded this as irrelevant, viewing it as an individual’s choice. It was also found that participants viewed ICT’s unsafe sexual practices as not impacting in their use of contraceptives, hence they would not imitate such behaviour. Moreover, some participants viewed ICT as impacting on the manner in which they express themselves sexually, whilst others regarded this as untrue since they decide which sexual activities to engage in. The study addressed paucity of information regarding ICT and adolescent sexuality. To be more specific, it is recommended that future investigations should focus on a particular technology such as cell phones and the internet. Research should also focus on a specific domain regarding adolescent sexual attitudes, for example attitudes towards sexual initiation or the use of contraceptives.

The purpose of this study was to explore how television influences the sexual attitudes and behaviour of adolescent girls in Mabopane Township. Though the area of adolescent sexual behaviour has been researched to a considerable degree elsewhere, there seemed to be lack of information regarding adolescent sexual behaviour and attitudes relating to Africa, especially South Africa, which inspired the researcher to embark on this study. The researcher explored the adolescent girls’ experiences using qualitative approach and in-depth individual interviews, and undertook a content thematic analysis of the textual data she gathered from girls who participated. A qualitative research design was adopted for this study as it allowed the researcher to obtain rich data from the participants. Purposive random sampling was also used to select participants. The four participants were between age 16 and 17, studying in grades 11 and 12. The results of this study indicated that adolescent girls from Mabopane Township feel that television does influence their sexual attitudes and behaviour. They also indicated that television does not display the consequences of sex, thus influencing adolescents to engage in such behaviour. Related to this was the finding that adolescents view characters on television as their role models because the latter are ‘in the limelight’, therefore enhancing the possibility of them doing what they see their role models doing. Furthermore, the participants indicated that television alone is not the only influence in their lives; other factors such as parental guidance and peer pressure also contribute to shaping their sexual attitudes and behaviours. They also indicated that frequent viewing of television is more likely to result in adolescents altering their sexual beliefs and adopting what is being done on television. Copyright / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Psychology / unrestricted