Wk. 3_ Lect. 1 - Gender Sexual Orientation.pptVIP

Psychology 137C: Intimate Relationships Week 3, Lecture 1:  Same-Sex Relationships Reminders: The web site for downloading videos was down for a while, but it has been restored. The videos for this week are especially good. Go watch them! The web site is: /ssc/lederman/bradbury/bradbury.html# Some numbers Same-sex couples make up 1% of all households with couples in them Same-sex couples make up 12% of all households headed by unmarried couples 20% of all same-sex couples are raising children, compared to 48% of all married couples These are likely to be underestimates Theoretical Issues Can we studies same-sex and different-sex intimacy in the same course? What matters most: your gender, or the gender of the people you are attracted to? Modular psychological mechanisms Methodological Issues Defining “gay”, “lesbian,” and “straight” Defining “same sex relationship” Finding a sample Choosing a comparison group Historical changes affect findings Same-Sex Relationships: Evidence for Similarity Valuing affection and closeness Egalitarian values Satisfaction studies Can outside judges distinguish? Evidence of Differences: Sexuality Who thinks monogamy is important? Women: 84% of wives, 70% of cohabitors, and 71% of lesbians. Men: 75% of husbands, 62% of cohabitors, and 35% of gay men. This difference has persisted across time. Sexual frequency After 10 years, what kind of couples are having most and least sex? Sexual satisfaction Evidence of Differences:Context Exposure to discrimination The challenge of disclosure Lack of social support Evidence of Differences:Dissolution Same-sex relationships are more likely to end than marriages. Why might that be? The case of Norway and Sweden Why might gay men and lesbians differ here? Gender vs. Orientation Age preferences in mates Preferences for sex-typical partners Implications for understanding gender roles * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *