The Influence of Early Experiences and Adult Attachment on the Exhibition of the Sexual Double Standard

Abstract

The sexual double standard is the phenomenon whereby men and women are judged differently for the same sexual behavior. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the potential relationship between life history theory, attachment theory and the sexual double standard. Life history theory posits that one's upbringing (e.g., quality of early relationship with one's parents) may have implications for one's future mating strategies, especially for women. Furthermore, adult attachment orientation often influences individuals' feelings toward sexual behavior. To address the relationship between these variables, we had participants complete questionnaires regarding their early relationships with their parents and their current attachment regarding romantic partners. Participants then evaluated a target individual who reported having 1 or 12 sexual partners (N = 154). Results showed that female participants' early relationships with their parents and their current attachment avoidance predicted their exhibition of the double standard. Results are discussed in the context of theoretical and empirical implications.

He is a Stud, She is a Slut! A Meta-Analysis on the Continued Existence of Sexual Double Standards

“…Several studies did not find clear evidence of SDS (e.g., Gentry, 1998; O’Sullivan, 1995), whereas others clearly demonstrated the existence of traditional SDS (e.g., Marks, 2008; Marks & Fraley, 2007). Some recent studies even found evidence for a reversed double standard (e.g., Howell et al, 2011; Zaikman, Vogel, et al, 2016), in which women were evaluated more positively than men for high sexual activity (Milhausen & Herold, 1999).…”

The Double Standard at Sexual Debut: Gender, Sexual Behavior and Adolescent Peer Acceptance

“…From sexual script theory, we propose that female adolescents’ peer acceptance will decrease following sex, whereas male adolescents’ peer acceptance will increase (Hypothesis 1a). The alternative hypothesis, derived from several recent studies of young adults’ sexual attitudes and vignette evaluations (Allison and Risman 2013; Gentry 1998; Marks and Fraley 2005; Zaikman, Vogel, Vicary, and Marks in press), asserts that peer acceptance of male and female adolescents will both decrease following sex (Hypothesis 1b). From literature describing “normative” sexual scripts, we generate another hypothesis for non-coital “light” sexual behavior, asserting a reverse sexual double standard whereby female adolescents’ peer acceptance will increase and male adolescents’ peer acceptance will decrease following reports of making out (Hypothesis 2).…”

Manifestação do Duplo Padrão Sexual nas sociedades ocidentais (2011-2017): uma revisão abrangente

“…Uma variação entre DPS e DPS Invertido (e PSS liberal) foi igualmente observada em dois estudos desenvolvidos com estudantes universitários canadianos (Sakaluk e Milhausen, 2012) e americanos (Zaikman et al, 2016b), cujo foco foram já as características de quem avalia. No primeiro caso, os investigadores observaram que, a um nível explícito, mulheres, mas especialmente homens, tendiam à aceitação do DPS enquanto, a um nível implícito, os homens tendiam à adoção de um PSS liberal e as mulheres de um DPS Invertido.…”