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Strictly Casual

What research tells us about the whos, whys, and hows of hookups

Sex
Do Most People Really Want to Have a Threesome?

Zhana Vrangalova Ph.D. on March 21, 2016

What do young people think about threesomes? Have they had one? Would they? A new study with Canadian undergrads answers these questions.

What do young people think about threesomes? Have they had one? Would they? A new study with Canadian undergrads answers these questions.

Sex
How Pleasurable is Oral Sex With Hookup Partners?

Zhana Vrangalova Ph.D. on February 22, 2016

New study finds that women enjoy receiving oral as much as men do, but men like giving it more. And for both sexes, oral is more fun with more committed partners.

New study finds that women enjoy receiving oral as much as men do, but men like giving it more. And for both sexes, oral is more fun with more committed partners.

Friends
Do Promiscuous People Really Have Fewer Friends?

Zhana Vrangalova Ph.D. on April 6, 2015

Promiscuity is highly stigmatized in our culture and we often believe that promiscuous people are socially ostracized and lonely. But while slut-shaming can be a serious problem and promiscuous people suffer more interpersonal discrimination and victimization, a new study shows they actually have more friends and feel less lonely.

Promiscuity is highly stigmatized in our culture and we often believe that promiscuous people are socially ostracized and lonely. But while slut-shaming can be a serious problem and promiscuous people suffer more interpersonal discrimination and victimization, a new study shows they actually have more friends and feel less lonely.

Polyamory
How to Make People More Accepting of Polyamory?

Zhana Vrangalova Ph.D. on February 17, 2015

As alternative relationships become ever more present in the public eye, a new study suggests that all that added information and critical evaluations of monogamy may make people more accepting of consensually nonmonogamous lifestyles.

As alternative relationships become ever more present in the public eye, a new study suggests that all that added information and critical evaluations of monogamy may make people more accepting of consensually nonmonogamous lifestyles.

Relationships
Are People in Open Relationships Happier?

Zhana Vrangalova Ph.D. on December 1, 2014

Many believe that people in open relationships are less happy than people in monogamous relationships. A new study finds it may be the opposite.

Many believe that people in open relationships are less happy than people in monogamous relationships. A new study finds it may be the opposite.

Sex
Do Sex Workers Have More Mental Health Problems?

Zhana Vrangalova Ph.D. on October 30, 2014

A frequent assumption is that sex workers have more mental health problems than the general population. This Swiss study shows that depends on what kind of sex work they do.

A frequent assumption is that sex workers have more mental health problems than the general population. This Swiss study shows that depends on what kind of sex work they do.

Marriage
Are Bisexuals Really Less Monogamous Than Everyone Else?

Zhana Vrangalova Ph.D. on September 27, 2014

Bisexuals are often stereotyped as incapable of commitment and monogamy. Surprisingly little research has examined this question. A new study suggests they may be less enamored with monogamy, but quite capable of commitment.

Bisexuals are often stereotyped as incapable of commitment and monogamy. Surprisingly little research has examined this question. A new study suggests they may be less enamored with monogamy, but quite capable of commitment.

Sex
What Type of Casual Sex Are People Really Having?

Zhana Vrangalova Ph.D. on August 22, 2014

When people talk about sex outside of a relationship, a one-night stand with someone you just met is usually the first thing that comes to mind. It is the most iconic image of casual sex, and perhaps the most uncomplicated, clear-cut case of it. But it’s also the rarest form of casual sex.

When people talk about sex outside of a relationship, a one-night stand with someone you just met is usually the first thing that comes to mind. It is the most iconic image of casual sex, and perhaps the most uncomplicated, clear-cut case of it. But it’s also the rarest form of casual sex.

Sex
After a Hookup, a Wide Range of Emotional Reactions

Zhana Vrangalova Ph.D. on July 8, 2014

People often think of hooking up as black or white, with people either loving or hating it. A new study suggests that things are more complex, and that there are four patterns of post-hookup emotional reactions: "Happy Hopefuls", "Content Realists", "Used and Confused", and "Disappointed and Disengaged".

People often think of hooking up as black or white, with people either loving or hating it. A new study suggests that things are more complex, and that there are four patterns of post-hookup emotional reactions: "Happy Hopefuls", "Content Realists", "Used and Confused", and "Disappointed and Disengaged".

Relationships
What Do People Really Think of Alternative Relationships?

Zhana Vrangalova Ph.D. on June 17, 2014

Openly non-monogamous relationships are becoming ever more visible. Does this awareness translate into greater acceptance? A series of recent studies suggests that, in the minds of most people, consensual nonmonogamy - and the people who engage in it - are far inferior to monogamy.

Openly non-monogamous relationships are becoming ever more visible. Does this awareness translate into greater acceptance? A series of recent studies suggests that, in the minds of most people, consensual nonmonogamy - and the people who engage in it - are far inferior to monogamy.

Sex
Why Men and Women Hook Up Today

Zhana Vrangalova Ph.D. on June 4, 2014

There is a widespread belief that men want to have sex for fun, whereas women want to have sex for love. The logical extension is that women don’t really want casual sex, and if they do engage in it, they’re probably doing it in hopes it will be more than just casual sex. So how much truth is in this for contemporary young people?

There is a widespread belief that men want to have sex for fun, whereas women want to have sex for love. The logical extension is that women don’t really want casual sex, and if they do engage in it, they’re probably doing it in hopes it will be more than just casual sex. So how much truth is in this for contemporary young people?

Sex
After Casual Sex, Do We Feel a Rush or Regret?

Zhana Vrangalova Ph.D. on May 21, 2014

Many believe that casual sex often begets regret, especially for women. How much truth is in that statement? This piece reviews the evidence from half a dozen studies over the past decade.

Many believe that casual sex often begets regret, especially for women. How much truth is in that statement? This piece reviews the evidence from half a dozen studies over the past decade.

Sex
Which of Us Craves Casual Sex More?

Zhana Vrangalova Ph.D. on May 12, 2014

It is not surprising that more attractive people have more casual sex. But is that simply because they have more opportunity, or do they actually desire it more? The findings are somewhat different for men and women.

It is not surprising that more attractive people have more casual sex. But is that simply because they have more opportunity, or do they actually desire it more? The findings are somewhat different for men and women.

Sex
Is Casual Sex on the Rise in America?

Zhana Vrangalova Ph.D. on April 25, 2014

Hooking up seems to be everywhere and many fear it has overtaken dating and created a culture of sexual no-rules-free-for-all. A new study of a nationally representative sample of young adults from 1988 to 2012 suggests that dating is alive and well, shifts toward casual sex are much more modest, and current youth are NOT having sex with more partners than before.

Hooking up seems to be everywhere and many fear it has overtaken dating and created a culture of sexual no-rules-free-for-all. A new study of a nationally representative sample of young adults from 1988 to 2012 suggests that dating is alive and well, shifts toward casual sex are much more modest, and current youth are NOT having sex with more partners than before.

Relationships
Who's Really Interested in Alternate Relationships?

Zhana Vrangalova Ph.D. on April 14, 2014

When it comes to relationships, sexual and emotional monogamy is the norm in our culture. So how much people approve of consensually (or openly) non-monogamous relationships? How interested are people in such arrangements? And how willing to engage in specific types of non-monogamous behaviors? A new study answers these questions.

When it comes to relationships, sexual and emotional monogamy is the norm in our culture. So how much people approve of consensually (or openly) non-monogamous relationships? How interested are people in such arrangements? And how willing to engage in specific types of non-monogamous behaviors? A new study answers these questions.

Sex
Would You Have a Threesome with Two Opposite-Sex Partners?

Zhana Vrangalova Ph.D. on March 30, 2014

Threesomes and other forms of group sex are ever more visible in the public sphere, yet little research examines people’s interest in and experiences with different group sex configurations. A new study provides insight into women’s desires for a threesome with two men, and men’s desires for a threesome with two women.

Threesomes and other forms of group sex are ever more visible in the public sphere, yet little research examines people’s interest in and experiences with different group sex configurations. A new study provides insight into women’s desires for a threesome with two men, and men’s desires for a threesome with two women.