Myths of Desire

Sex

Are Couples More Satisfied When They Match in Sexual Desire?

Sarah Hunter Murray Ph.D. on September 12, 2020

New research suggests that maintaining desire may be more important to sexual satisfaction than finding a partner with the same level of desire as you.

BDSM

The Sexual Science of Masochism and Submission

Sarah Hunter Murray Ph.D. on June 30, 2020

What is so appealing about being spanked, flogged, restrained, and dominated? New research examines the appeal of sexual masochism and submission.

Sex

Why Do Some Men Pay for Sex?

Sarah Hunter Murray Ph.D. on June 25, 2020

Acquiring sexual skills, avoiding rejection, and navigating masculinity: What men are really paying for when they pay for sex.

Sex

When Women Love Their Partners, But Don't Like Sex

Sarah Hunter Murray Ph.D. on June 23, 2020

New research explores how women navigate low desire in loving relationships.

Stress

How Feeling Stressed, Anxious, and Depressed Can Impact Sex

Sarah Hunter Murray Ph.D. on March 31, 2020

The relationship between stressful life events, anxiety, depression, and your sex life are complex, especially when you're in self-isolation.

Sex

What to Try When One of You Wants Sex, but the Other Doesn't

Sarah Hunter Murray Ph.D. on March 25, 2020

New research uncovers the most (and least) successful strategies for navigating desire discrepancies in long-term relationships.

Sex

Why Didn't We Have Sex Last Night?

Sarah Hunter Murray Ph.D. on March 21, 2020

A new study suggests that women are more likely to say they aren't in the mood; men are more likely to say their female partner wasn't in the mood.

Sexual Orientation

How Sexual Orientation and Gender Relate to Body Satisfaction

Sarah Hunter Murray Ph.D. on December 30, 2019

New research suggests men tend to have higher body satisfaction than women—if they are heterosexual.

Bias

"Too Pretty to Be a Lesbian"

Sarah Hunter Murray Ph.D. on December 22, 2019

How the devaluation of femininity, or "femmephobia," contributes to the discrimination of LGBTQ+ identified individuals.

Orgasm

What Science Has Discovered About the Female Orgasm

Sarah Hunter Murray Ph.D. on December 12, 2019

From sexual techniques to prioritizing pleasure, 2019 was a big year for improving our understanding of women's orgasms.

Flirting

"Without Flirting, It Wouldn't Be a Marriage"

Sarah Hunter Murray Ph.D. on September 30, 2019

Flirting isn't just a way to start a new relationship; it appears to be an integral part of long-term marital satisfaction.

Sex

Why Women Fake (and No Longer Fake) Having Orgasms

Sarah Hunter Murray Ph.D. on September 25, 2019

The not-so-good news? Most women report having faked an orgasm. The good news? The majority have stopped.

Sex

How Sexual Desire Changes Throughout Marriage

Sarah Hunter Murray Ph.D. on September 22, 2019

New research explores gender differences in sexual desire throughout marriage; and how it can negatively impact marital satisfaction.

Relationships

The Science of Sexting in Committed Relationships

Sarah Hunter Murray Ph.D. on June 29, 2019

Sexting isn't just for single people who are hooking up; research is starting to explore how committed partners are using sexting in their committed relationships.