Subscribe
The latest psychology and neuroscience discoveries.
My Account
  • Mental Health
  • Social Psychology
  • Cognitive Science
  • Psychopharmacology
  • Neuroscience
  • About
No Result
View All Result
PsyPost
PsyPost
No Result
View All Result
Home Exclusive Social Psychology Sexism

Do women who endorse benevolent sexism have fewer orgasms?

by Eric W. Dolan
October 11, 2016
in Sexism, Social Psychology
Photo credit: WillVision

Photo credit: WillVision

Share on TwitterShare on Facebook
Stay informed on the latest psychology and neuroscience research—follow PsyPost on LinkedIn for daily updates and insights.

New research published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior investigated if women’s sexist attitudes influenced how often they experienced an orgasm.

“At present, we do not have a good understanding of how our ideologies may form a basis for how we think about sex, and what we perceive to be sexually desirable, undesirable, appropriate, or inappropriate,” wrote Emily Ann Harris, Matthew J. Hornsey and Fiona Kate Barlow, the authors of the study. “It is therefore important for future research to expand its scope in order to investigate how ideologies function to constrain or enhance our sexual experience.”

The research examined a concept known as benevolent sexism, which is based on Ambivalent Sexism Theory. The theory holds that prejudicial views of women can be grouped into two main categories: hostile sexism and benevolent sexism.

Hostile sexism describes the overt dislike of women. Benevolent sexism, on the other hand, describes the belief that women are nurturing and gentle, but cannot function properly without help from a strong male partner. “Benevolent sexism assumes female passivity and romanticizes the belief that women should be reliant on men,” the authors explained.

The researchers found an indirect relationship between benevolent sexism and orgasm frequency. Women who endorsed benevolent sexism — such as the view that “women need to be protected by men” — tended to also believe that men were sexually selfish. Women who believed men to be sexual selfish, in turn, tended to be less likely to ask their partner for pleasure, which was associated with less frequent orgasms.

So do women who endorse benevolent sexism climax less often? That doesn’t appear to be the case.

The researchers were unable to find a direct correlation between benevolent sexism and orgasm frequency. Overall, women who endorsed benevolent sexism were no more or less likely to orgasm than women who did not.

Harris and her colleagues said another factor associated with benevolent sexism could be counteracting the indirect relationship they found. Women who endorse benevolent sexism, they said, could have more masculine partners “consistent with their preferences for traditional gender roles.” Prior research has found that women find it easier to orgasm with a more masculine partner. It is also possible that women who endorse benevolent sexism feel obligated to have sex with their partner, resulting in more frequent sex and more frequent orgasms.

In other words, women who endorse benevolent sexism appear to be less likely to ask their partner for pleasure, which results in fewer orgasms. But endorsing benevolent sexism could also lead to women having more masculine partners or having more sex, which would bump their orgasm frequency up to average — or above.

The study consisted of two separate surveys and included a total of 1,393 women in heterosexual relationships. It was titled: “On the Link Between Benevolent Sexism and Orgasm Frequency in Heterosexual Women.”

TweetSendScanShareSendPinShareShareShareShareShare

RELATED

Bullshit is deemed more credible if attributed to a scientist, compared to a spiritual guru
Social Psychology

Scientists who relocate more often start Nobel research up to two years earlier

July 8, 2025

A new study of Nobel Prize winners suggests that scientists who change locations or work in multiple places tend to begin their groundbreaking research earlier, highlighting how exposure to diverse environments may help spark innovative, high-impact ideas.

Read moreDetails
The most popular dementia videos on TikTok tend to have the lowest quality, study find
Addiction

People with short-video addiction show altered brain responses during decision-making

July 8, 2025

People who frequently use short-video apps like TikTok may show reduced loss sensitivity and impulsive decision-making, according to a new neuroimaging study that links addictive use patterns to changes in brain activity during risky choices.

Read moreDetails
People with psychopathic traits fail to learn from painful outcomes
Narcissism

National narcissism linked to emotional impairments and dehumanization, new study finds

July 7, 2025

A new study suggests that people who see their nation as uniquely important often struggle with recognizing emotions and experience more anger and contempt—factors that may help explain why they’re more likely to dehumanize both outsiders and fellow citizens.

Read moreDetails
Anxious and avoidant attachment are elevated among individuals with eating disorders
Developmental Psychology

Personality may be a key factor connecting negative parenting experiences to adult challenges

July 7, 2025

New research finds a link between how adults recall being parented and their current life difficulties. These challenges may be partly explained by personality traits, such as lower conscientiousness, that are connected to early family environments and adult well-being.

Read moreDetails
Loneliness predicts an increase in TV viewing for older women, but not for men
Sexism

New study finds link between sexism and denial of male victimhood in relationships

July 6, 2025

New research shows that many people endorse myths that minimize abuse against men in relationships. These myths are closely tied to sexist attitudes about masculinity, gender roles, and who is believed to be a “real” victim of violence.

Read moreDetails
Fascinating study reveals how Trump’s moral rhetoric diverges from common Republican language
Donald Trump

Viral AI-images highlight how Trump engages in “victimcould,” scholar argues

July 6, 2025

How can one of the world's most powerful men also be its biggest victim? A new paper argues it’s a political strategy based on hypothetical, not actual, harm—a concept the author calls “victimcould” used to justify present-day aggression.

Read moreDetails
Stress disrupts gut and brain barriers by reducing key microbial metabolites, study finds
Narcissism

How to protect your mental health from a passive-aggressive narcissist

July 5, 2025

Passive aggression is more than just frustrating; it’s a weapon. When someone consistently uses backhanded compliments, sabotage, or the silent treatment, you may be dealing with a narcissist. Here’s how to spot the signs and protect your mental wellbeing.

Read moreDetails
Stress disrupts gut and brain barriers by reducing key microbial metabolites, study finds
Artificial Intelligence

Dark personality traits linked to generative AI use among art students

July 5, 2025

As generative AI tools become staples in art education, a new study uncovers who misuses them most. Research on Chinese art students connects "dark traits" like psychopathy to academic dishonesty, negative thinking, and a heavier reliance on AI technologies.

Read moreDetails

SUBSCRIBE

Go Ad-Free! Click here to subscribe to PsyPost and support independent science journalism!

STAY CONNECTED

LATEST

Neuroscientists decode how people juggle multiple items in working memory

Inside the bored brain: Unlocking the power of the default mode network

Choline imbalance in the brain linked to with cognitive symptoms in young depression patients

Scientists who relocate more often start Nobel research up to two years earlier

Sedentary time linked to faster brain aging in older adults, study finds

People with short-video addiction show altered brain responses during decision-making

New study uncovers a surprising effect of cold-water immersion

Being adopted doesn’t change how teens handle love and dating

         
       
  • Contact us
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms and Conditions
[Do not sell my information]

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Subscribe
  • My Account
  • Cognitive Science Research
  • Mental Health Research
  • Social Psychology Research
  • Drug Research
  • Relationship Research
  • About PsyPost
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy