Erik Erikson concluded that differences in the play constructions of young children are largely determined by psychosexual differences in the subjects and not by cultural influence. He suggested that additional observation of younger and older subjects could determine whether the differences were true for all ages or whether they were restricted…

A systematic relationship between self-report and perceived sexuality ratings seems to be more characteristic of males than of females. To further investigate this phenomena, male (N=48) and female (N=82) subjects, from 17 to 79 years old, provided self-report sexuality ratings and perceived sexuality ratings of male and female target groups of…

This study investigated the sexual attitudes of college students at a western Kansas university. The independent variables employed were gender, family structure, family sex communication, age, and classification. The dependent variables were the following subscales of sexual attitudes: permissiveness, sex practices, communion, and…

Tested correlates of sexual experience (lifetime number of sexual partners) for generational differences. Background variables were examined for those under and over 30 years. Results support the enhancement theory of sexual experience for men and many women under 30 (bolstering self-esteem), with older female samples reflecting a sexual…

Examined sexual activity of Nigerian high school youth. Students (N=240) responded to a questionnaire. Results indicated that boys and girls differed significantly in their sexual behavior. Found considerable differences in sexual behavior due to age. (RC)

The contributions of age, gender, race, and socioeconomic status to differences in 223 nonreferred (i.e., presumably nonabused) preschool aged children's interactions with anatomically correct dolls were explored. Significant findings were related to age differences and different activities when the interviewer was or was not in the room with the…

When not understood as normal consequences of growth and aging, sexual fluctuations can be the source of personal and marital distress. Discussed are sexual behavior norms as they change from infancy to old age. (Author/CJ)

Examined the constructions of sexuality among 470 high school students. Identified five sexual styles (naive, unassured, competent, adventurous, driven), characterized by differences in gender, age, and virginity status, but not simply delineated along demographic lines. Also found that sexual styles differed in level of sexual risk-taking,…

Analyzes the interrelationships among delinquency, substance abuse, and sexual activity in a sample of 1,725 youths over a 5-year period. Findings indicate that adolescent sexual intercourse is a function of age and sex, and may reflect a general propensity to engage in risky behavior. (FMW)

Revised sexual behaviors and relationship stages in Reiss Premarital Sexual Permissiveness Scale. Used experimental randomization to examine how standards vary for different targets. Findings from 237 undergraduates revealed that age, but not gender, of hypothetical person in scale affected responses. Standards were less permissive for adolescents…

Although many studies have described adolescents' sexual behavior and attitudes, there are little data available on the nature of the questions that occur to adolescents as they move toward maturity. A study was conducted to determine whether the questions children and adolescents ask reflect developmental differences in cognitive abilities and…

Describes the development and validation of an index of empathy for use with children and adolescents. Fifty-six first-graders, 115 fourth graders, and 87 seventh graders were studied. (Author/RH)

Using hypothetical scenarios in which sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can be transmitted, college freshmen and seniors were asked to explain why they believed the characters should or should nor engage in risky behaviors. Results indicated that seniors had a significantly higher stage of moral reasoning than the freshmen when responding to…

Studied sexual knowledge among Norwegian adolescents (n=1,855) aged 17-19 years. Found knowledge gaps among adolescents on sexual physiology and anatomy, sexually transmitted diseases, and fecundation/contraception. Level of sexual knowledge was higher among girls than boys and increased with increasing age. Sexual knowledge did not predict…

Analyzed adolescents' (N=500) evaluations of factors which would influence their sexual decisions. Results idetified six factors (family establishment competence, external morality, consequences of childbearing, self-enhancement through sexual intercourse, intimacy considerations regarding sexual intercourse, consequence of marriage) which were…