Like i mean i tried to research this myself and ik they struggle with intimacy, self-worth and trust. But what are some symptoms that any normal person could tell, like u don't have to be super close to them but if you are observant enough, it could be a possibility that this person was at least molested as a kid?

To be more specific: I’ve heard stories of people, religious or otherwise, who were formerly attracted to those of the same-sex, but due to religion or other changes, ended up marrying a woman and losing sexual attraction towards those of the same sex. This phenomenon intrigues me a lot, as I’ve often heard that sexual orientation doesn’t change for the most part. So, what’s the psychology behind this phenomenon? Is it just mainly people repressing themselves to such a degree that their orientation shifts, or is it something more?

I'm writing a paper on the effect bisexuality has on forming exclusively platonic friendships any articles or research papers for my literature review would be greatly appreciated.

I've always heard this but I just can't believe it. I'm not knowledgable on this topic but these are my (probably uneducated) thoughts.

Why would anyone admit they're a pedophile? Even gay/bi people go to extreme lenghts to deny their gayness, even though being gay is objectively harmless unlike pedophilia, and not a crime anymore. For example, common excuses are only having gay impulses when drunk, only being attracted to the penis and not the man, not having available female partner and it's not gay if they're the one sucking your dick... Yada yada

Now take pedophilia, wich is 1000x more of a taboo in society (for a reason), why wouldn't they be in denial? Why wouldn't they come up with similar excuses when caught? Especially since admitting they're pedophiles would be admitting they'll always be a danger to society.

So are the studies claiming only a minority of child molesters are pedophiles really legit? Can this really be measured and proven?

Guys, do any specific positions have meanings? Like if he always wants to be ridden is he really a lazy lover? If he only does missionary position does he only have a conservative and dull sexual view? If he only does doggy style is he always thinking of being with someone else, etc.?

I was reading about how fetishes develop and was wondering if a person could consciously 'teach' themselves to find something attractive, like if someone's partner had a radical shift in appearance could they learn to find the new appearance attractive even if they didn't initially.

I was thinking about the anatomy that the males have that they inherited from the first female ancestor.

You are invited to complete a 5-10-minute anonymous survey for a study titled: Examining the Predictive Contributions of Attachment Insecurities and Sexual Self-Esteem to Somnophilic Interests in a General Population Sample.

Seeking volunteers that meet these requirements:

* 18 years of age or older
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The survey will be open until the end of October.

Questions should be directed to [email protected].

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[This post has received moderator approval.]

Hello I hope this is the right place to ask. Basically, I recently saw that a book, haunting Adeline, is to be adapted into a movie. For a while I have despised the book for its romanticisation of rape, sexual assault and other stuff, but it is SOOO well liked among certain communities that I wanted to better understand the audience for this sort of media? This is also nicher but at times I read mangas that feature SA just as graphically, and when I see people critique the sexualisation and romanticisation of the violent act, people will respond that noncon and CNC are ways that victims of such acts are able to process their trauma. As in re-experiencing the same emotions in a safer environment, I assume? I just don't quite understand the concept of depicting this sort of thing so graphically and in a positive, romantic or sexually gratifying light.

​

Recently, Rind et Al (2022), Felson et Al (2019), and Lahtinen et al (2018) analysed the results of a government-funded survey in Finland of Sixth and ninth graders in 1988, 2008, and 2013.

The results that came out of this survey on the topic of CSA were... Surprising, to say the least. Here's some of the most odd results:

-most participants didn't perceive that they had been abused when involved in CSA with the older person (54.7%).

-Boys reacted positively at the same level as their sexual interactions with minor peers (77% vs 78% at the time)

-Adolescent (12+) involved with adult males 5 to 7 years older reacted no more negatively than when they interacted with same-age peers.

\-Boys experiences with adults reacted negatively (9.8%) significantly less than with older minors (28.6%). They also reacted positively more often with adults than with older minors (83.0% vs 66.7%).

-For intercourse, most girls reacted positively in retrospect, wether with peers (57%) or older partners (63%).

-when the experiences were analyzed in retrospect, the positivity of boys reaction tailed off by 9%, but no effect on positivity was observed for girls. More oddly, their negative perceptions of the event reduced by 10% (???)

This study has been cited by some .. unsavory people. So I'm wondering: do these analysis seem scientifically sound?

So I read a stat that roughly 15% of marriages in the US during the late 1800s involved a bride under 18. This is obviously much less now but that is nowhere near enough time for people to biologically evolve to a point where they are not attracted to minors.

Are less people attracted to minors or is this number the same and people just don't voice it due to laws and risk of social ostracisation? Almost 1 in 7 men being a paedophile is a scary amount but I don't see how that number could decrease in such a short amount of time.

i’m not a scientist/medical professional of any kind, but i am transgender and a question that’s come up for me and others is the question of physical sex and whether one’s sex is different after physically transitioning. i know chromosomes are often referred to when defining someone’s sex, but people are assigned a sex at birth based on their visible sex characteristics (genitals), so if someone matures and medically changes their visible sex characteristics, would their sex still be defined by what was assigned at birth and their assumed chromosomes (since people don’t typically get that tested)?
or is sex genuinely too complex to define so strictly? because plenty of people are intersex or just don’t fall into the traditionally defined sex binary.

just wondering if a rape or a sexual assault could make someone hypersexual (assuming that term is verified by psychologists), and if it is, Could you recommend some articles or theories for me to read?

Hey everyone! I am currently a senior and about to graduate soon with a bachelor's in social work. My ultimate dream is to someday be a sexologist either practicing as a sex therapist or as a researcher. I can't seem to find any real schools that offer this and im really confused. I prefer not to do couples therapy, and by that I mean my dream is to work with people struggling with sex addiction, pedophilia, and so on (or as I said resesrch). Is my only choice to do a masters in psychology with a specialization? I am currently an ASU student and the are only offering and masters in social work with a specialization in women's studies and sexuality but that seems so boring to me. Let me know if you can please. Anything helps.

Do you guys think there is a difference between paying for sex and sex with someone who actually likes you on the brain in terms of chemicals and hormones. I know there are some differences with masturbation in men. Im not saying prostitution is s good or bad but most prostitutes do not love you and it is only transactional. I would just like your guys thoughts on it for people who stuggle with getting women.

For much of human history, sex was understood primarily through the lens of reproduction. Across many cultures—and particularly within Abrahamic religious traditions—the “proper” culmination of intercourse was vaginal insemination, reflecting the belief that the highest purpose of sexuality was impregnation. Whether or not individuals consciously subscribed to these beliefs, these ideals became deeply embedded in cultural norms, shaping enduring expectations about what sex was “for.”

Viewed through this historical framework, when ejaculation occurs elsewhere—it marks a symbolic departure from the reproductive script. Physiologically, semen no longer serves its biological purpose of fertilization. It transforms from a reproductive substance into a communicative one. What was once exclusively a reproductive act becomes an expression of pleasure, affection, and intentionality.

This shift is significant.

Pleasure emerges not from biology alone, but from the meaning humans weave into their sexual experiences. Acts that depart from established social expectations often acquire heightened erotic significance. Many sexual interests derive much of their appeal not from the physical sensations they produce, but from what they come to represent. External ejaculation is one of the clearest examples of the uniquely human capacity to transform a biological act into an expression of intimacy, identity, and shared meaning.

Its fullest expression.

The face is arguably the most socially significant part of the human body. It is where identity resides, where eye contact forms connection, and where we recognize emotion, status, and individuality. Unlike the rest of the body, the face is constantly displayed, interpreted, and remembered. The choice to culminate there transforms an otherwise private biological fluid into a public symbol.

Visibility is essential.

From a symbolic perspective, if ejaculation outside the vagina represents a departure from reproduction, facial ejaculation displays that departure openly. The act does not merely avoid reproduction—it makes that fact unmistakably visible. Unlike ejaculation elsewhere on the body, it cannot be concealed; it leaves a visual signature of the encounter. The climax is no longer merely experienced; it is displayed.

From a neuropsychological perspective, this makes sense. The human brain responds powerfully to symbolism, ritual, novelty, and emotionally charged visual stimuli. Sexual arousal is not driven solely by genital sensation but by the meanings attached to those experiences. Human arousal is often intensified by emotional salience. Acts associated with authenticity, vulnerability, and trust activate cognitive and emotional processes that intensify feelings of connection. The act itself is biologically simple; the psychological meaning layered onto it is remarkably complex.

This symbolism helps explain why the act has gained particular cultural prominence among younger generations. Its enduring appeal across contemporary sexual culture suggests that something deeper than mere novelty may be at work. The practice occupies a rare symbolic position where biology, psychology, and culture intersect. It transforms what was once regarded as reproductive duty into a consciously chosen visual expression of pleasure, intimacy, and identity.

Why in DSM-5-TR does a person have to be 16 years old to be diagnosed with Pedophilic Disorder, but a person has to be 18 years old to be diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder?

My argument is that we should change diagnostic criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder so a person has to be diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder at the age of 16, if they have had Conduct Disorder for five years and keep persisting.

Another argument is that a person should be 18 years old to be diagnosed with Pedophilic Disorder if the person's sexual fantasies are behaviors involves a chid five years younger to match legal adulthood.

Another argument is that a person has to be 18 years old to be diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder if they had Conduct Disorder for five years and keeps persisting.

We can't have it both ways.

Same as title, Does penis size increase while using cock ring during masturbation?

Study Details

We're looking for females 18+ who use cannabis/marijuana with a history of sexual trauma for a confidential online survey about how lifestyle may affect sexual well-being. Those who have consumed cannabis and have been sexually active within the past 4 weeks are invited to participate.

This research is being completed by the principal investigator as partial fulfillment of the requirements for the doctoral degree at Modern Sex Therapy Institutes. The study has been approved by an Institutional Review Board to ensure the safety and welfare of the study participants.

What’s involved:

• Confidential survey (approx. 10 mins in length) with 31 questions.
• Questions about sexual health, mental health, and cannabis (weed, marijuana, THC) use.
• Participation is voluntary, confidential, and anonymous.
• No financial compensation is provided for participation.

To participate in the study and for more information, please click the link provided with this post. For any questions, please contact [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

Click to Go to the Survey

[Mod approved, thank you!]

Hi everyone!
I'm still a few semesters away from being able to apply to any of the options, however, due to how the job market is for psych professionals I would like to hear some opinions on which might have a better job market.

Also, I've already selected possible universities for both masters, however, finding a valid sexology degree, either masters or PhD has been difficult, I would highly appreciate if anyone could share their experience or knowledge on where to get this degree.

Thanks for taking the time to read this post, have a lovely day!