Award Date

1-1-2006

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Psychology

First Committee Member

Marta Meana

Number of Pages

97

Abstract

Baumeister's theory on female erotic plasticity is supported by a significant body of data that suggests that female sexuality is more malleable than male sexuality and thus more greatly influenced by external factors. Seeking to test Baumeister's theory, this study examined the potential differential impact of the acculturation process on the sexual attitudes and experiences of 188 college men and 310 college women. Sexual attitudes and experiences were measured using the Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory and acculturation level was determined using the General Ethnicity Questionnaire. Between-gender analyses revealed that the acculturation process did not have more of a liberalizing effect on the sexual attitudes and experiences of women than on those of men. This finding is inconsistent with Baumeister's theory. Ethnic and acculturation level main effects were identified for sexual experiences and attitudes and a gender main effect was identified for sexual attitudes only. Investigating ethnic, gender, and acculturative differences not only adds to the sparse body of literature on the eudeamonic sexuality of ethnic minorities but may also be useful in developing culturally competent and gender-specific interventions for sex therapy.

Keywords

Acculturation; Differences; Erotic; Gender; Investigating; Plasticity; Sexuality

Controlled Subject

Clinical psychology; Sex--Social aspects

File Format

pdf

File Size

2314.24 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

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