Whilst researching for the textbook chapter of sexual motivation I began to realise the large extent of research that has been undertaken in the field however there most certainly is room for more. The first step was to look at the original data in the field, the Kinsey Reports (Kinsey, Pomeroy, & Martin, 1948). I could have spent many hours sifting through the reports and reading the statistics that the researchers found, however I did not have the time so I looked at the most important aspect, why the research was undertaken. It was interesting to find that although many people have criticised the face-to-face methods used by Kinsey and colleagues, the authors had actually outlined and scrutinised the methods of researching in the reports. Kinsey had spent much time researching and analysing the best way to approach the topic, and from previous research decided it was best to take the face to face interview approach. This approach worked out to be beneficial considering the amount of data that was able to be collected. Even though the sample was homogeneous it was a breakthrough and significant study for the field of human sexual behaviour.
One particular topic that I enjoyed researching was pheromones. Although there is still no hard evidence for them playing a role in human sexual motivation I wanted to research it as I have always thought that they existed. Why do we find ourselves attracted to some people and not others? In addition why does our arousal rise in the presence of certain people, and not others? To think that there is a subliminal message that is letting off a physiological response in other people around us is amusing to say the least. The book that I read “The Scent of Eros” (Kohl & Francoeur, 2002) was an interesting debate outlining the evidence as to why human pheromones exist.
To see my chapter please follow the link http://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Motivation_and_emotion/Textbook/Motivation/Sexual_motivation
Kinsey, A. C., Pomeroy, W. B., & Martin, C. E. (1948). Sexual behavior in the human male. Philadelphia, PH: W. B. Saunders Company.
Kohl, J. V., & Francoeur, R. T. (1995). The scent of Eros: Mysteries of Odor in Human Sexuality. New York, NY: Continuum
You mention the book I co-authored, which is reason enough to let others know I have also published three different research journal articles on the topic of human pheromones. The last article is also a book chapter in the Handbook of the Evolution of Human Sexuality.
ReplyDeleteIn addition, my colleagues and I have now presented 5 times at 4 different scientific meetings (listed below). Our results show that a mixture of synthetic androstenol and androsterone increases flirtatious behavior in college student women within 15 minutes of exposure. The women also reported that they were more attracted to the man wearing the mixture (e.g., the same mixture used in the Scent of Eros product for men). If and when our results are independently replicated, we will publish them. However, given the current bastardization of the concept of human pheromones, research without publication may continue to be its own reward. It doesn't make much sense for scientific research to compete with the lies the marketers are telling those foolish people who spend their money on products that claim to elicit aphrodisiac-like affects on the behavior of the opposite sex. At best, human pheromone products enhance the appeal of the person wearing them, as you can read in unsolicited testimonies found in a search for "Scent of Eros." There's no magic involved, just "chemistry".
Thanks for your comments to my blog page, its nice to know that you are following people who are interested in your work, as I am.
ReplyDeleteFirstly I want to say congratulations on some positive results in this field. As you mention replication of these findings would indeed be most welcoming to strengthen the evidence.
However, I do have a query into your web-page that I have had a look at. To your comment "doesn't make much sense for scientific research to compete with the lies the marketers are telling those foolish people who spend their money on products that claim to elicit aphrodisiac-like affects on the behavior of the opposite sex" -you say that your findings have not been replicated thus although there is some evidence to suggest that there was a behavioral reaction to synthetic pheromones it is not certain. So why. may I ask, are you selling and fully endorsing these products on your website??
Although our findings have not been replicated, there is sufficient support from animal models and currently available literature that helps to ensure the validity of marketing claims that are not exaggerated (e.g., on sites I endorse). For example, compare a product's claim to be pheromone-enhanced with one that is guaranteed to drive women wild. Minimal common sense is all that's required to evaluate either claim. There's no point in attempting to competitively market products that enhance sexual motivation when ridiculous guarantees predominate in the marketplace. So I don't compete with the vast majority of manufacturers and marketers that obviously intend to take the money of individuals who are desperate enough to buy into their claims. What I do is make the scientific information available that supports the claims for the effectiveness of my products. People then have the option of buying into ridiculous claims, or buying into the science.
ReplyDeleteYou may want to incorporate more information from one of the other books you cited: Psychoendocrinology of human sexual behavior.
ReplyDeleteLook at page 108 for information on the entrainment of hormone fluctuations in men and women that facilitates properly timed reproductive sexual behavior. The changes parallel those driven by pheromones and reported in other primates, which are linked to sexual arousal and motivation.