Issues in Sexuality: Scholarly vs. Popular Media - Research Paper Example

? Issues in Sexuality: Scholarly vs. Popular Media Issues in Sexuality: Scholarly vs. Popular Media Introduction According to Rathus et al., (2005), human sexuality is the manner in which human beings express themselves as sexual beings. One of the most influential factor that determines sexual behavior, is gender; this paper seeks to explore the way a topic in human sexuality is covered in these articles; a scholarly journal; and a general media source. Scholarly Journal Social Exchange and Social/ Physical Topography of One-Night Stands in College-Age Students Summary This is a peer reviewed article (http://www.ejhs.org/volume16/onenight.html); the main purpose is to evaluate the one-night stand phenomenon among college students; this research article employs personal interviews with students who had recently been involved in a one-night stand encounter in order to determine the factors that affect the choice of sexual partner. The study employs Social Exchange Theory to explain the trends in sexual occurrences and the sexual patterns. The participants in this research were 28 college-age students from a South Californian University and had recently involved themselves in a single night sexual encounter (Marelich and Graham, 2013). The hypothesis is that, based on Social Exchange Theory one-night stands operate as a form of reward-cost exchange, and behavior settings can have an influence on seduction. This research only seeks to identify the events that led to the one-night stands and not the details of the sexual encounter (Marelich and Graham, 2013). Research Methodology and Results The study revolved around 28 students (9 males and 19 females), from a large university in Southern California; open-ended and semi-structured interviews were used as the study design in this study; the interviews were conducted and tape recorded in a private lab. The research had no gender restrictions with the only restriction being the age bracket; it was set at 18-24 years. Based on multiple readings of the interview transcripts, and thematic qualitative analysis, results displayed the emergent themes of the precedents of one night stands (Marelich and Graham, 2013). The identified themes fell under the following four broad categories; behavior setting features, themes unique to females, themes, themes unique to males and themes shared across gender. Some of the behavior features identified were; alcohol use, physical setting, and the fashion sense of the hookup partner. Females themes included; attraction to confident males, the male’s expression of sincere interest in the female, the male’s exotic appearance, a long cultivation period by the male, and the male’s interest in helping the female achieve her goals. Males had a single unique theme which related to the female reacting positively to their sense of humor. Shared themes across the gender included being unhappy in a relationship or being single(Marelich and Graham, 2013). In conclusion, the research shows that one-night stands require an investment in time (probably a whole evening); the individuals usually interact in behavior setting that cultures a “hook-up” e.g. (house party, club or a private residence); the parties are usually in an unhappy relationship or single; over 50% of the time alcohol is involved and the male usually has to spend; the physical appearance and dress code of the potential partners also play a major role in the hook-up(Marelich and Graham, 2013). Popular Media Article The Science of One Night Stands Summary This article adopts its argument from studies published in a journal called, Human Nature (http://healthland.time.com/2009/08/11/the-science-of-one-night-stands/) the study involved investigating the factors that people consider when choosing a possible candidate for a single-night sex encounter; the findings showed that men had much lower standards in their choice of one-night stand partners than the women. The study population was College-aged students and other slightly older adults. The research design and methodology used in this studies was survey method and questionnaires to identify the responses of this young men and women (O'Callaghan, 2009). The research was a follow up to a previous study in “the short term mating”, in which young men and women went on a prowl at Florida University to interview students; the questioners would have to approach people of the opposite sex that they deemed attractive and in two sentences, try and convince the respondents to “go out with”, “go home with” or “go to bed with” the questioners. The results showed that no women would agree to sleep with the male investigators, and only 3% agreed to go back to the apartments with the male investigators. On the other hand, 75% of the male respondents agreed to sleep with the female investigators, regardless of how attractive the investigators were (O'Callaghan, 2009). The article further cites a follow up research, designed to expand on the previous findings by a team of researchers from Germany, the U.K.; they designed a questionnaire and administered it to groups of Italian, American and German students, who would answer the same questions as in the previous study. The answer’s on whether they could sleep with, go out with or go home with a stranger were also spread over the assumptions of the possible hook-up being “moderately attractive”, “slightly attractive” or “exceptionally attractive”. The findings of the investigation showed that, regardless of nationality, men did not take looks too seriously when choosing a sexual partner. The findings, however, differed in terms of cultural standards- Italian men were the most affectionate; they did not mind women (O'Callaghan, 2009). 33% of all men would sleep with a less attractive stranger as compared to 2% of the women. 54% of the men said yes to a one-night stand with really attractive candidates, compared to 2% of the women. However, this study provided some room for additional responses. Women said that they would not immediately deny sleeping with a very good looking man, and 50% would consider going home with this stranger (O'Callaghan, 2009). This study, therefore, proves that women are picky when it comes to choosing men while men lower their standards when choosing a candidate for a short term relationship (Fisher, 2009: 2). Critique: Comparison of the Scholarly Article and the Media Release Article Common Features Both the scholarly article and the media release article cover the topic of one-night stands, an increasingly popular behavior in young adults. However, the only common features between the two articles is that they both focus on the youth/students and that the results of both studies show that physical appearance/ attractiveness plays a major role in choosing a one-night stand. Both sexes do prefer a more attractive partner, but women appear to be choosier than their male counterparts (Stambor, 2013). Different Features The Scholarly article only focuses on students from one location (South California), all of which went to the same University. Although the media article focused on the Florida University, further studies and research follow up this study with variations in types of nations and nationality. This shows that the second article presents more accurate data since the research is randomized over different regions and students of different ethnic backgrounds. The media article also offers an opportunity for the respondents to give further opinions and comments; it allows the ladies to give further support to their answers with most women agreeing that, they admire attractive men although that does not mean they would have one night stand immediately; just that if it were to happen, they would prefer a more attractive person (O'Callaghan, 2009). The media article does not present other factors such as status, behavioral setting, dress code, or time invested in convincing the stranger to agree to a one-night stand. The scholarly article clearly identifies all factors that students and other adults consider when choosing a hook-up partner for a single-night sexual encounter. Consumer Value The Scholarly article gives the consumer an overview of the trends and behavior that influence the occurrence of a short term sexual experience. It also provides the consumer with an idea of what both sexes desire in a sexual relationship while providing knowledge what attracts sexes to one another. The Media release article provides the consumer with an overview of how much emphasis the sexes assign to looks as a factor that influences relationships. It helps the reader understand the characteristics of people around the world; it helps the reader understand the effect of first time impressions in a relationship. Cons The Scholarly article only presents information in one population group and location; the information presented in this article does not give information about the consequences of one-night stands and the emotional state of the parties after their sexual experiences. The Media release article does not present information about other factors influencing the choice of sexual partner; it only focuses on physical attraction alone. The article does not give a clear number of student’s or population size used in conducting the survey; this does not give accurate data about the study population, therefore, the findings cannot be used to generalize the data(O'Callaghan, 2009). Conclusion This paper clearly outlines the themes that act as precursors to a single-night sexual encounter; it also stipulates that that physical appearance plays a major role in how people perceive strangers especially with regards to sexuality. The scholarly article teaches enables the reader to understand human sexuality and sexual behavior; single-night sexual encounters are very common in the modern days and therefore, it is important to understand why people, especially young youths, engage in this kind of activity (Marelich and Graham, 2013). Understanding the percentage of male and female individuals involved in various sexual encounters enables psychologists and other advisory bodies to formulate strategies of emancipating the masses on the dangers of this kind of behavior. Studying the science of one-night stands enables youth understand the various factors that determine sexuality. This can be of positive and negative influence; it can teach people that first time impressions and dressing well is important in life, if one is to make a statement; it enables the reader to identify with the social setting that determines one-night stands; it emancipates the reader on the effects of alcohol abuse on pure decision making which might be the reason people engage in one-night stands. It can also teach people to be more active sexually since it provides the reader with tips to wooing a woman or a man. This research paper, however, gives room for an education gap to be filled; people need to learn about the emotional repercussions of randomly engaging in sexual activities. It can lead to unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, or even HIV/ AIDS. The paper also shows that in most cases, one-night stands are a give-take; according to Marelich and Graham (2013), people are usually looking for an individual with resources that they can benefit from, or an individual that needs resources, in order to “hook-up”. Some of the trends and themes that act as precursors to one-night stands are; being out in a group at a party, a bar, club or personal residence; consuming alcohol or a slight amount of it; being in an unhappy relationship or recently single; meeting a person who shows honest interest and has resources or desires; spending time in cultivating a connection the night before one night stand happens and; being alone with the person later on, which leads to the sexual encounter. In conclusion, based on the social exchange theory, the operation of one-night stands is in a reward-cost exchange, where behavior settings play a major role in influencing seduction. People usually have something to offer and expect something in return (McConaghy, 1987). References Fisher, M. (2009). THE INFLUENCE OF MALE FACIAL ATTRACTIVENESS ON WOMEN’S RECEPTIVITY . newpaltz.edu. Retrieved December 1, 2013, from http://shell.newpaltz.edu/jsec/articles/volume3/issue1/fishercoxproof.pdf Marelich, W. D., & Graham, J. L. (2013, September 12). One Night Stands. Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality, Volume 16. Retrieved December 1, 2013, from http://www.ejhs.org/volume16/onenight.html McConaghy, N. (1987). A learning approach. In J. H. Geer & W. T. O'Donohue (Eds.), Theories of Human Sexuality (pp.335-362). New York: Plenum Press. O'Callaghan, T. (2009, August 11). The Science of One-Night Stands | TIME.com. Time. Retrieved December 1, 2013, from http://healthland.time.com/2009/08/11/the-science-of one-night-stands/ Rathus, S. A., Nevid, J. S., & Rathus, L. (2005). Human sexuality in a world of diversity (6th ed.). Boston: Pearson Allyn and Bacon. Stambor, Z. (n.d.). Both sexes seek attractiveness in one-night stand partners. http://www.apa.org. Retrieved December 1, 2013, from http://www.apa.org/monitor/apr06/attractiveness.aspx Ugly Truth about One Night Stands: Men Less Choosy Than Women. (2009, August 12). ScienceDaily. Retrieved December 1, 2013, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090811080749.htm Read More