A Billion Wicked Thoughts: What the World's Largest Experiment Reveals about Human Desire (41 page)
Authors: Ogi Ogas,Sai Gaddam
BOOK: A Billion Wicked Thoughts: What the World's Largest Experiment Reveals about Human Desire
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45
Turkeys are even less discriminating
Schein & Hale (1957), Schein & Hale (1958).
Turkeys are even less discriminating
Schein & Hale (1957), Schein & Hale (1958).
46
bigger and brighter the fake butt
Girolami & Bielert (1987).
bigger and brighter the fake butt
Girolami & Bielert (1987).
46
far more men than women obsessed with body parts
See
http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/display/article/10168/54866
, retrieved on August 30, 2010. “Paraphilias are predominantly male sexuality disorders with an estimated sex differences ratio of 20:1 in sexual masochism.
(The other paraphilias are almost never diagnosed in females, although some cases have been reported.)”
far more men than women obsessed with body parts
See
http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/display/article/10168/54866
, retrieved on August 30, 2010. “Paraphilias are predominantly male sexuality disorders with an estimated sex differences ratio of 20:1 in sexual masochism.
(The other paraphilias are almost never diagnosed in females, although some cases have been reported.)”
46
Male arousal itself relies on two structures located in the subcortex
Pfaus (2009).
Male arousal itself relies on two structures located in the subcortex
Pfaus (2009).
46
the amygdala and the hypothalamus
Karama et al. (2002), Hamann et al. (2004), Ferretti et al. (2005), Walter et al. (2008), Schiffer et al. (2008).
the amygdala and the hypothalamus
Karama et al. (2002), Hamann et al. (2004), Ferretti et al. (2005), Walter et al. (2008), Schiffer et al. (2008).
46
men remember more visual details from sexual encounters “
Men report more sexual fantasies than women; however, women may not report sexual fantasies as frequently because they do not realize that they are sexually aroused by certain romantic images or because they simply do not consider romantic fantasies without explicit sexual acts to be sexual fantasies even if they are sexually arousing.” Leitenberg and Henning (1995).
men remember more visual details from sexual encounters “
Men report more sexual fantasies than women; however, women may not report sexual fantasies as frequently because they do not realize that they are sexually aroused by certain romantic images or because they simply do not consider romantic fantasies without explicit sexual acts to be sexual fantasies even if they are sexually arousing.” Leitenberg and Henning (1995).
46
use more visual descriptions than stories written by women
See discussions and analysis in Chapters 5,6, 7, and 11.
use more visual descriptions than stories written by women
See discussions and analysis in Chapters 5,6, 7, and 11.
46
“Martha Stewart” searchers were four times more likely
The expected overlap of “Martha Stewart” and “porn” searchers in the AOL data set, assuming independence: 90.40. Obtained: 75 (not different from random). The expected overlap of “Martha Stewart” and “stories” searchers in the AOL data set, assuming independence: 24.70. Obtained: 85. Worth considering: AOL user #10193632, who searches for Martha Stewart recipes and food sex fetishes.
“Martha Stewart” searchers were four times more likely
The expected overlap of “Martha Stewart” and “porn” searchers in the AOL data set, assuming independence: 90.40. Obtained: 75 (not different from random). The expected overlap of “Martha Stewart” and “stories” searchers in the AOL data set, assuming independence: 24.70. Obtained: 85. Worth considering: AOL user #10193632, who searches for Martha Stewart recipes and food sex fetishes.
46
swiftly experiences physical and psychological arousal
Toates (2009).
swiftly experiences physical and psychological arousal
Toates (2009).
46
Male arousal itself relies on two structures
Pfaus (2009). “Brain dopamine systems (incertohypothalamic and mesolimbic) that link the hypothalamus and limbic system appear to form the core of the excitatory system. This system also includes melanocortins, oxytocin, and norepinephrine. Brain opioid, endocannabinoid, and serotonin systems are activated during periods of sexual inhibition, and blunt the ability of excitatory systems to be activated.”
Male arousal itself relies on two structures
Pfaus (2009). “Brain dopamine systems (incertohypothalamic and mesolimbic) that link the hypothalamus and limbic system appear to form the core of the excitatory system. This system also includes melanocortins, oxytocin, and norepinephrine. Brain opioid, endocannabinoid, and serotonin systems are activated during periods of sexual inhibition, and blunt the ability of excitatory systems to be activated.”
47
their sexual motivation pathways have more connections
Becker. (2009), Joyal et al. (2007), Baird et al. (2004), Stark (2005), Pfaus (2009), Toates (2009), Walter et al. (2008). Greater male sex drive and sociosexuality were found across many diverse cultures in Lippa (2009).
their sexual motivation pathways have more connections
Becker. (2009), Joyal et al. (2007), Baird et al. (2004), Stark (2005), Pfaus (2009), Toates (2009), Walter et al. (2008). Greater male sex drive and sociosexuality were found across many diverse cultures in Lippa (2009).
47
men’s brains are designed to objectify females
“The notion that
Playboy
turns women into sex objects is ridiculous. Women are sex objects.”—Hugh Hefner
men’s brains are designed to objectify females
“The notion that
Playboy
turns women into sex objects is ridiculous. Women are sex objects.”—Hugh Hefner
47
The famous 26,000-year-old Venus of Willendorf statuette
A photo and description can be found here:
http://witcombe.sbc.edu/willendorf/willendorfdiscovery.html
.
The famous 26,000-year-old Venus of Willendorf statuette
A photo and description can be found here:
http://witcombe.sbc.edu/willendorf/willendorfdiscovery.html
.
47
The 40,000-year-old Venus of Hohle Fels
A photo and description can be found here:
http://www.livescience.com/history/090513-first-figure.html
.
The 40,000-year-old Venus of Hohle Fels
A photo and description can be found here:
http://www.livescience.com/history/090513-first-figure.html
.
47
twenty-three feature close-ups of female anatomy
We downloaded the one hundred highest-rated images on Fantasti.cc on May 10, 2009. We submitted these images to workers on Amazon Turk. There were three taggers for each image, and we counted any tag that was shared by two or more raters (e.g., “close-up of penis”).
twenty-three feature close-ups of female anatomy
We downloaded the one hundred highest-rated images on Fantasti.cc on May 10, 2009. We submitted these images to workers on Amazon Turk. There were three taggers for each image, and we counted any tag that was shared by two or more raters (e.g., “close-up of penis”).
47
zettai ryouiki
, translated as “the absolute territory”
http://whatjapanthinks.com/2009/09/06/favourite-fetishes-of-japanese-men/
,
http://burogublog.wordpress.com/2008/06/08/the-art-and-science-of-zettai-ryouiki/
,
http://www.facebook.com/ZettaiRyouiki?v=photos
,
http://zettairyouikicafe.wordpress.com/category/zettai-ryouiki
,
http://whatjapanthinks.com/image10/zettai-ryoiku.jpg
.
zettai ryouiki
, translated as “the absolute territory”
http://whatjapanthinks.com/2009/09/06/favourite-fetishes-of-japanese-men/
,
http://burogublog.wordpress.com/2008/06/08/the-art-and-science-of-zettai-ryouiki/
,
http://www.facebook.com/ZettaiRyouiki?v=photos
,
http://zettairyouikicafe.wordpress.com/category/zettai-ryouiki
,
http://whatjapanthinks.com/image10/zettai-ryoiku.jpg
.
48
“socks and skirt are usually darker shades”
http://animedesho.animeblogger.net/?p=2585
, retrieved on August 30, 2010.
“socks and skirt are usually darker shades”
http://animedesho.animeblogger.net/?p=2585
, retrieved on August 30, 2010.
48
categorize the bewitching strip of skin into six different types
See
http://burogublog.wordpress.com/2008/06/08/the-art-and-science-of-zettai-ryouiki/
.
categorize the bewitching strip of skin into six different types
See
http://burogublog.wordpress.com/2008/06/08/the-art-and-science-of-zettai-ryouiki/
.
48
in order to derive a “golden mean “
A Mathematical Analysis and Alternative of the Zettai Ryouiki Ratio,” on
http://kevo.dasaku.net/?p=92
, retrieved August 30, 2010.
in order to derive a “golden mean “
A Mathematical Analysis and Alternative of the Zettai Ryouiki Ratio,” on
http://kevo.dasaku.net/?p=92
, retrieved August 30, 2010.
48
“memorizing this formula”
Quote from DarkMirage on
http://burogublog.wordpress.com/2008/06/08/the-art-and-science-of-zettai-ryouiki/
, retrieved August 30, 2010.
“memorizing this formula”
Quote from DarkMirage on
http://burogublog.wordpress.com/2008/06/08/the-art-and-science-of-zettai-ryouiki/
, retrieved August 30, 2010.
48
belly is a common male obsession
Aki Sinkkonen of the University of Helsinki has suggested that navels are used to attract potential mates. His hypothesis “makes a lot of biological sense,” according to Gerald Weissmann of the New York University School of Medicine. We have doubts.
belly is a common male obsession
Aki Sinkkonen of the University of Helsinki has suggested that navels are used to attract potential mates. His hypothesis “makes a lot of biological sense,” according to Gerald Weissmann of the New York University School of Medicine. We have doubts.
48
claimed to be aroused by a woman’s earlobe
Dalí (2004).
claimed to be aroused by a woman’s earlobe
Dalí (2004).
49
experiment run by psychologists Joseph Plaud and James Martini
Plaud & Martini (1999).
experiment run by psychologists Joseph Plaud and James Martini
Plaud & Martini (1999).
50
or a box of Kleenex
“Few people are turned on by doorknobs, bedroom dressers, or bathroom fixtures, even though these cues are often in the environment when sexual arousal and orgasm take place. Instead, there is probably a biological preparedness as well as a socialization process.” Leitenberg & Henning (1995).
or a box of Kleenex
“Few people are turned on by doorknobs, bedroom dressers, or bathroom fixtures, even though these cues are often in the environment when sexual arousal and orgasm take place. Instead, there is probably a biological preparedness as well as a socialization process.” Leitenberg & Henning (1995).
50
sexual interests in men first form during adolescence
Woodson (2002).
sexual interests in men first form during adolescence
Woodson (2002).
50
what neuroscientists call a
critical period
“The most plausible suggestion, in my view, is that males actually do have a brief period of plasticity during childhood, after which the sexual patterns are reasonably rigid.” Baumeister (2000).
what neuroscientists call a
critical period
“The most plausible suggestion, in my view, is that males actually do have a brief period of plasticity during childhood, after which the sexual patterns are reasonably rigid.” Baumeister (2000).
51
same pattern of irreversible male sexual imprinting
Kendrick et al. (1998). For sexual imprinting in other animals see Woodson (2002).
same pattern of irreversible male sexual imprinting
Kendrick et al. (1998). For sexual imprinting in other animals see Woodson (2002).
52
“I don’t know why I like breasts”
Mitch Fatel,
Miniskirts and Muffins
.
“I don’t know why I like breasts”
Mitch Fatel,
Miniskirts and Muffins
.
53
Chaminda was a young Buddhist
Dewaraja & Money (1986). The subject’s name is not provided.
Chaminda was a young Buddhist
Dewaraja & Money (1986). The subject’s name is not provided.
54
a name for the oversized parts of female anatomy
Thornhill & Gangestad (2008). “If mammary glands were no longer directly or indirectly selected in descendants, they would likely degrade through mutation and drift if neutral.”
a name for the oversized parts of female anatomy
Thornhill & Gangestad (2008). “If mammary glands were no longer directly or indirectly selected in descendants, they would likely degrade through mutation and drift if neutral.”
Gottschall (2007). Also consider: Hooper & Miller (2008).
54
indicate how many years of healthy childbearing remain
Thornhill & Gangestad (2008) refer to future fertility as “residual reproductive value” or RRV.
indicate how many years of healthy childbearing remain
Thornhill & Gangestad (2008) refer to future fertility as “residual reproductive value” or RRV.
54
men should find visual cues associated with
youth
Symons (1979).
men should find visual cues associated with
youth
Symons (1979).
55
“would have had more living relatives to invest in”
Abramson & Pinkerton (1995).
“would have had more living relatives to invest in”
Abramson & Pinkerton (1995).
55
age of first menstruation is happening earlier
Clavel-Chapelon & Grp (2002). “There was thus a steady increase in the interval between age at menarche and at onset of regular cycling, mainly due to an increase in the percentage of women in whom regular cycling started at least 5 years after menarche (from 9.0% among women born in 1925–1929 to 20.8% in those born in 1945–1950). The increase in the interval between menarche and onset of regular cycling was even greater among women with a late menarche.”
age of first menstruation is happening earlier
Clavel-Chapelon & Grp (2002). “There was thus a steady increase in the interval between age at menarche and at onset of regular cycling, mainly due to an increase in the percentage of women in whom regular cycling started at least 5 years after menarche (from 9.0% among women born in 1925–1929 to 20.8% in those born in 1945–1950). The increase in the interval between menarche and onset of regular cycling was even greater among women with a late menarche.”
55
Male chimps do not find adolescents sexually attractive
Thornhill & Gangestad (2008).
Male chimps do not find adolescents sexually attractive
Thornhill & Gangestad (2008).
55
mixed mating strategies
Buss (2003).
mixed mating strategies
Buss (2003).
56
the most attractive ones received jewelry
Personal telephone communications with Steve Lightspeed, founder and owner of Lightspeed, August 2009.
the most attractive ones received jewelry
Personal telephone communications with Steve Lightspeed, founder and owner of Lightspeed, August 2009.
56
influenced by the same molecule:
estrogen
The discussion of estrogen-based female ornamentation is taken mainly from Thornhill & Gangestad (2008).
influenced by the same molecule:
estrogen
The discussion of estrogen-based female ornamentation is taken mainly from Thornhill & Gangestad (2008).
57
estrogen limits the growth of foot bones
Thornhill & Gangestad (2008).
estrogen limits the growth of foot bones
Thornhill & Gangestad (2008).
57
prefer women who weigh a pound more
Personal e-mail communication, March 2010.
prefer women who weigh a pound more
Personal e-mail communication, March 2010.
57
Breast size is not correlated with milk production
Thornhill & Gangestad (2008).
Breast size is not correlated with milk production
Thornhill & Gangestad (2008).
58
went from 36B in 1997 to 34D today
Mackay (2000).
went from 36B in 1997 to 34D today
Mackay (2000).
58
the baby geese will imprint upon the scientist
Lorenz (1935).
the baby geese will imprint upon the scientist
Lorenz (1935).
59
“Smaller breasted women just look better to me!!!”
http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/863803#ixzz0y6vp8qIS
, retrieved on August 30, 2010.
“Smaller breasted women just look better to me!!!”
http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/863803#ixzz0y6vp8qIS
, retrieved on August 30, 2010.
60
Male desire is instantly activated by visual cues
Ponseti et al. (2006). “We reasoned that the observation of sexually arousing stimuli may cause automatic activation of motor representations in the PMv because exposure to visual sexual stimuli is frequently followed by sexual behavior.”
Male desire is instantly activated by visual cues
Ponseti et al. (2006). “We reasoned that the observation of sexually arousing stimuli may cause automatic activation of motor representations in the PMv because exposure to visual sexual stimuli is frequently followed by sexual behavior.”
60
“my mother’s decapitated head”
Louis C.K.
Chewed Up
(2008).
CHAPTER 4“my mother’s decapitated head”
Louis C.K.
Chewed Up
(2008).
62
Women were not allowed to dine at the Faculty Club
Hatfield’s story is from
Commentary
, HBES E-Newsletter (Human Behavior and Evolution Society), Summer 2007, pp. 1–10. Also personal e-mail communication with Elaine Hatfield, August 12, 2010.
Women were not allowed to dine at the Faculty Club
Hatfield’s story is from
Commentary
, HBES E-Newsletter (Human Behavior and Evolution Society), Summer 2007, pp. 1–10. Also personal e-mail communication with Elaine Hatfield, August 12, 2010.
64
Hatfield and fellow psychologist Russell Clark
Clark & Hatfield (1989).
Hatfield and fellow psychologist Russell Clark
Clark & Hatfield (1989).
65
Hatfield and Clark couldn’t get these dramatic results published
Clark & Hatfield (2003).
Hatfield and Clark couldn’t get these dramatic results published
Clark & Hatfield (2003).
65
study was replicated in Belgium, Denmark, and Germany
Molzer (2003), Voracek et al. (2005), Voracek et al. (2006). According to Elaine Hatfield (personal e-mail communication, September 29, 2010), the study was also replicated by Charlotte De Backer, Ghent University, Department of Philosophy and Moral Sciences.
study was replicated in Belgium, Denmark, and Germany
Molzer (2003), Voracek et al. (2005), Voracek et al. (2006). According to Elaine Hatfield (personal e-mail communication, September 29, 2010), the study was also replicated by Charlotte De Backer, Ghent University, Department of Philosophy and Moral Sciences.
65
on the online dating site OkCupid
OkCupid is one of the largest social networking and dating Web sites. One primary feature of OkCupid is the creation and answering of member-created quizzes containing questions on all manner of topics. Users are free to answer any number of such quizzes or questions posed by other users. This, paired with the user demographics, provide an unparalleled wealth of data on user preferences. Some questions elicit answers for a few hundreds of thousands of users, allowing for a fine-grained analysis of preferences based on age, sexual preference, gender etc. OkCupid has been showcasing some remarkable results from the analysis of its data on its excellent blog, OkTrends. OkCupid also offered access to anonymized data consisting of 369 million answers to 3,989 questions by 6.4 million users. This data consists of the randomized IDs of OkCupid users and the coded answers to questions. Only the gender, stated sexual orientation, year of birth, and stated location were provided. The response dataset was generated in July 2009. Information for OkCupid question #1597 Would you consider sleeping with someone on a first date?
on the online dating site OkCupid
OkCupid is one of the largest social networking and dating Web sites. One primary feature of OkCupid is the creation and answering of member-created quizzes containing questions on all manner of topics. Users are free to answer any number of such quizzes or questions posed by other users. This, paired with the user demographics, provide an unparalleled wealth of data on user preferences. Some questions elicit answers for a few hundreds of thousands of users, allowing for a fine-grained analysis of preferences based on age, sexual preference, gender etc. OkCupid has been showcasing some remarkable results from the analysis of its data on its excellent blog, OkTrends. OkCupid also offered access to anonymized data consisting of 369 million answers to 3,989 questions by 6.4 million users. This data consists of the randomized IDs of OkCupid users and the coded answers to questions. Only the gender, stated sexual orientation, year of birth, and stated location were provided. The response dataset was generated in July 2009. Information for OkCupid question #1597 Would you consider sleeping with someone on a first date?
Straight Males: # of respondents: 300,402; 72.1% YES; 20.4% NO.
Bisexual Females: # of respondents: 33,592; 61.0% YES; 30.0% NO.
Straight Females: # of respondents: 195,689; 10.4%; 40.7% YES; 48.9% NO.
66
test compound known as 5 cyclic GMP-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor
Ghofrani et al. (2006), Terrett et al. (1996),
http://inventors.about.com/od/uvstartinventions/a/Viagra.htm
, retrieved on August 30, 2010.
test compound known as 5 cyclic GMP-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor
Ghofrani et al. (2006), Terrett et al. (1996),
http://inventors.about.com/od/uvstartinventions/a/Viagra.htm
, retrieved on August 30, 2010.
67
its share price doubled
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/nov/16/viagra-pfizer-drug-pill-profit
, retrieved on October 1, 2010.
its share price doubled
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/nov/16/viagra-pfizer-drug-pill-profit
, retrieved on October 1, 2010.
67
multinationals turned their attention to developing “pink Viagra”
An academic review of the search for female Viagra can be found in Brown et al. (2007).
multinationals turned their attention to developing “pink Viagra”
An academic review of the search for female Viagra can be found in Brown et al. (2007).
67
twice as many women as men suffering
First & Tasman (2010).
twice as many women as men suffering
First & Tasman (2010).
67
Vivus vasodilator failed to boost female desire
Rosemary et al. (2002).
http://medicaldevicelicensing.com//files/38/72/f3872/public/companies/view/1382/vivus
.
Vivus vasodilator failed to boost female desire
Rosemary et al. (2002).
http://medicaldevicelicensing.com//files/38/72/f3872/public/companies/view/1382/vivus
.
68
stimulating female desire through “peripherally acting agents”
Brown et al. (2007).
stimulating female desire through “peripherally acting agents”
Brown et al. (2007).
68
to find out what turns women on
Chivers et al. (2004).
http://www.stanfordalumni.org/news/magazine/2010/marapr/features/mosher.html
. Of the forty-five women in Mosher’s survey, thirty-five said they desired sex; thirty-four said they had experienced orgasms; twenty-four felt that pleasure for both sexes was a reason for intercourse; and about three-quarters of them engaged in it at least once a week.
to find out what turns women on
Chivers et al. (2004).
http://www.stanfordalumni.org/news/magazine/2010/marapr/features/mosher.html
. Of the forty-five women in Mosher’s survey, thirty-five said they desired sex; thirty-four said they had experienced orgasms; twenty-four felt that pleasure for both sexes was a reason for intercourse; and about three-quarters of them engaged in it at least once a week.
68
plethysmograph
“The first invention came in the 1950s. Soldiers could get out of the Czech army by claiming they were gay, and researcher Kurt Freund needed to find a way to confirm their orientation. He invented a kind of barometer that measures changes in air pressure around the penis when a man has an erection. A more modern device—nicknamed a ‘peter meter’—uses mercury and an electrical current to measure changes in the size of a band placed around the penis. In women, scientists use a tampon-like gizmo that shines light into the vagina and tracks blood flow by measuring the diffusion of light in the surrounding tissues.”
http://www.wired.com/medtech/health/news/2004/04/63115
, retrieved on August 30, 2010.
plethysmograph
“The first invention came in the 1950s. Soldiers could get out of the Czech army by claiming they were gay, and researcher Kurt Freund needed to find a way to confirm their orientation. He invented a kind of barometer that measures changes in air pressure around the penis when a man has an erection. A more modern device—nicknamed a ‘peter meter’—uses mercury and an electrical current to measure changes in the size of a band placed around the penis. In women, scientists use a tampon-like gizmo that shines light into the vagina and tracks blood flow by measuring the diffusion of light in the surrounding tissues.”
http://www.wired.com/medtech/health/news/2004/04/63115
, retrieved on August 30, 2010.
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