The Myths of Sex

Infidelity

The Top 8 Reasons People Commit Infidelity

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on May 19, 2023

People's reasons for cheating are many and varied and, sometimes, infidelity has very little to do with sex.

People's reasons for cheating are many and varied and, sometimes, infidelity has very little to do with sex.

Infidelity

When Partners Stray, Who Do They Cheat With?

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on April 12, 2023

Married men and women are equally likely to have affairs with close friends or people they know well.

Married men and women are equally likely to have affairs with close friends or people they know well.

Relationships

Why Older Women Who Date Younger Men Are More Satisfied

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on March 23, 2023

Although age-gap relationships featuring an older women with a younger man have been subject to stigma and scrutiny, the women in these relationships appear to be thriving.

Although age-gap relationships featuring an older women with a younger man have been subject to stigma and scrutiny, the women in these relationships appear to be thriving.

Sex

3 Reasons Why Disgust Can Become a Sexual Turn-On

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on February 14, 2023

Disgust is an emotion that usually leads us to avoid something, but it can sometimes be an attractor in the context of sex. There are at least 3 reasons why.

Disgust is an emotion that usually leads us to avoid something, but it can sometimes be an attractor in the context of sex. There are at least 3 reasons why.

Sex

How Women Can Increase Their Odds of Orgasm During Sex

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on January 19, 2023

Women's experiences with orgasm during intercourse are inconsistent.

Women's experiences with orgasm during intercourse are inconsistent.

Sex

Why Animated Porn Is So Popular

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on December 14, 2022

Animated porn appears to be growing in popularity. The genre offers a creative way of meeting deeper psychological needs and expressing taboo sexual interests.

Animated porn appears to be growing in popularity. The genre offers a creative way of meeting deeper psychological needs and expressing taboo sexual interests.

Mating

Does Online Dating Make It Easier to Date?

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on November 22, 2022

Dating online results in surprisingly few in-person hookups and dates. A minority of users account for most of the action.

Dating online results in surprisingly few in-person hookups and dates. A minority of users account for most of the action.

Sex

Why Many People Find Historical Romance to Be So Sexy

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on October 21, 2022

Sex scenes set in the distant past are increasingly common and in demand on television today. Their growing popularity reflects several common themes in our sexual fantasies.

Sex scenes set in the distant past are increasingly common and in demand on television today. Their growing popularity reflects several common themes in our sexual fantasies.

Sex

Generation Z Is Missing Out on the Benefits of Sex

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on September 8, 2022

Adults under age 25 are the most stressed and least sexed generation. Is a lack of intimate touch and connection making the Gen Z mental health crisis worse?

Adults under age 25 are the most stressed and least sexed generation. Is a lack of intimate touch and connection making the Gen Z mental health crisis worse?

Sex

Why Some Affairs Lead to Breakups, but Others Don't

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on August 23, 2022

Despite infidelity being considered one of the biggest relationship dealbreakers, it doesn't always mean the end of a relationship.

Despite infidelity being considered one of the biggest relationship dealbreakers, it doesn't always mean the end of a relationship.

Relationships

What Separates the Very Best Kisses From the Absolute Worst

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on July 28, 2022

What makes a kiss good versus bad? Our best kisses tend to have an emotional spark or energy, while our worst kisses tend to involve unpleasant physical qualities.

What makes a kiss good versus bad? Our best kisses tend to have an emotional spark or energy, while our worst kisses tend to involve unpleasant physical qualities.

Sex

Why You Can Have Sexual Fantasies About Someone You Hate

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on June 14, 2022

If you've ever fantasized about someone you hate or despise, you're not alone. But different people fantasize about this for very different reasons.

If you've ever fantasized about someone you hate or despise, you're not alone. But different people fantasize about this for very different reasons.

Sex

Can Someone's Sex Drive Be Too High?

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on May 13, 2022

What seems high to one person might seem low to another when it comes to sexual desire, which makes defining a concept like "hypersexuality" difficult, if not impossible.

What seems high to one person might seem low to another when it comes to sexual desire, which makes defining a concept like "hypersexuality" difficult, if not impossible.

Sex

How Many Calories Does Sex Actually Burn?

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on April 5, 2022

Sex is a form of exercise, but just how much exercise does it count for? A review of 18 studies offers fresh insight into the physical demands of sexual activity.

Sex is a form of exercise, but just how much exercise does it count for? A review of 18 studies offers fresh insight into the physical demands of sexual activity.

Mating

The Sexual Appeal of Dark Personalities

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on March 7, 2022

There’s an interesting paradox in the literature on attraction. While people say they’re attracted to nice partners, they simultaneously report attraction to "dark" personalities.

There’s an interesting paradox in the literature on attraction. While people say they’re attracted to nice partners, they simultaneously report attraction to "dark" personalities.

Sex

Why Couples Can Struggle with Who's Supposed to Initiate Sex

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on February 14, 2022

Many people want to initiate sex more often, or they want their partners to initiate more often. Here are four ways to make sexual initiation easier.

Many people want to initiate sex more often, or they want their partners to initiate more often. Here are four ways to make sexual initiation easier.

Sex

How to Manage When Partners Have Different Desires for Sex

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on January 10, 2022

Discrepant sexual desire is one of the most common reasons couples enter sex therapy. While distressing, research finds that much can be done to bridge the gap in healthy ways.

Discrepant sexual desire is one of the most common reasons couples enter sex therapy. While distressing, research finds that much can be done to bridge the gap in healthy ways.

Sex

How People Really Feel About Their First Sexual Experiences

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on December 2, 2021

While most young adults seem to look back on the timing of their sexual debut favorably, a substantial minority appear to have some regrets and wish it happened sooner or later.

While most young adults seem to look back on the timing of their sexual debut favorably, a substantial minority appear to have some regrets and wish it happened sooner or later.

Infidelity

The 4 Biggest Predictors of Infidelity

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on November 8, 2021

Infidelity is predictable to some degree; however, new research finds that it usually says more about the quality of the relationships than the characteristics of the person.

Infidelity is predictable to some degree; however, new research finds that it usually says more about the quality of the relationships than the characteristics of the person.

Sex

Sex with a Sleeping Person: The Psychology of Somnophilia

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on October 12, 2021

Different people may be aroused by the idea of sex with a sleeping person for different reasons. However, it is not necessarily indicative of a proclivity toward sexual offending.

Different people may be aroused by the idea of sex with a sleeping person for different reasons. However, it is not necessarily indicative of a proclivity toward sexual offending.