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Larva MA, Rantala MJ. An Evolutionary Psychological Approach Toward BDSM Interest and Behavior. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2024; 53:2253-2267. [PMID: 38769280 PMCID: PMC11176219 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-024-02881-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Bondage/discipline, Dominance/submission, and Sadism/Masochism (BDSM) have gained increased attention and discussion in recent years. This prevalence is accompanied by a shift in perceptions of BDSM, including the declassification of sadomasochism as a paraphilic disorder. Evolutionary psychology offers a unique perspective of why some individuals are interested in BDSM and why some prefer certain elements of BDSM over others (e.g., dominance versus submission). In this paper, we examine BDSM from an evolutionary standpoint, examining biopsychosocial factors that underlie the BDSM interests and practice. We articulate this perspective via an exploration of: proximate processes, such as the role of childhood experiences, sexual conditioning, and physiological factors; as well as ultimate explanations for power play and pain play dimensions of BDSM, highlighting the potential adaptive advantages of each. While BDSM may not be adaptive in itself, we examine the literature of sex differences in BDSM role preferences and argue that these preferences may stem from the extreme forms of behaviors which enhance reproductive success. In the realm of pain play, we explore the intersection of pain and pleasure from both physiological and psychological perspectives, highlighting the crucial role of psychological and play partner factors in modulating the experience of pain. Finally, we encourage future research in social sciences to utilize evolutionary frameworks to further explore the subject and help alleviate the mystification surrounding BDSM. This multifaceted exploration of BDSM provides valuable insights for clinicians, kink-identified individuals, and scholars seeking to understand the evolutionary perspectives of human sexual behavior and preferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A Larva
- INVEST Research Flagship Centre (Psychology), University of Turku, Assistentinkatu 7, N20014, Turku, Finland.
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Effects of sexual imprinting on partner preference for personality traits in Chinese gay men. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2021.110896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Stroebel SS, O’Keefe SL, Griffee K, Harper-Dorton KV, Beard KW, Young DH, Swindell S, Stroupe WE, Steele K, Lawhon M, Kuo SY. Effects of the sex of the perpetrator on victims’ subsequent sexual behaviors and adulthood sexual orientations. COGENT PSYCHOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/23311908.2018.1564424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra S. Stroebel
- School Psychology Program, Marshall University Graduate College, 100 Angus E. Peyton Drive, South Charleston, WV 25303-1600, USA
- Department of Psychology, Marshall University, One John Marshall Dr., Huntington, WV 25755, USA
| | - Stephen L. O’Keefe
- Department of Psychology, Marshall University, One John Marshall Dr., Huntington, WV 25755, USA
| | - Karen Griffee
- Division of Social Sciences, Concord University, PO Box 1000, Athens, WV 24712, USA
| | | | - Keith W. Beard
- Department of Psychology, Marshall University, One John Marshall Dr., Huntington, WV 25755, USA
| | - Debra H. Young
- Department of Social Work, Marshall University, One John Marshall Dr., Huntington, WV 25755, USA
| | - Sam Swindell
- Justice, Law and Public Safety Studies Department, Lewis University, Romeoville, IL and Samuel V.S. Swindell, Attorney and Counselor at Law, Christiansburg, VA, USA
| | - Walter E. Stroupe
- Department of Criminal Justice, West Virginia State University, P.O. Box 1000, Institute, WV 25112-1000, USA
| | - Kerri Steele
- Department of Criminal Justice, West Virginia State University, P.O. Box 1000, Institute, WV 25112-1000, USA
| | - Megan Lawhon
- Department of Psychology, Marshall University, One John Marshall Dr., Huntington, WV 25755, USA
| | - Shih-Ya Kuo
- Department of Criminal Justice, West Virginia State University, P.O. Box 1000, Institute, WV 25112-1000, USA
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Beard KW, Newsome JE, Harper-Dorton KV, O’Keefe SL, Young DH, Swindell S, Stroupe WE, Steele K, Lawhon M, Kuo SY. Father-daughter incest: Comparison of treated cases to untreated control subjects. COGENT PSYCHOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/23311908.2019.1633809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Keith W. Beard
- Department of Psychology, Marshall University, One John Marshall Dr., Huntington, WV 25755, USA
| | - Jason E. Newsome
- Dayspring Counseling Center, Inc., 1219 Ohio Avenue, Dunbar, WV 25064, USA
| | | | - Stephen L. O’Keefe
- Department of Psychology, Marshall University, One John Marshall Dr., Huntington, WV 25755, USA
| | - Debra H. Young
- Department of Social Work, Marshall University, One John Marshall Dr., Huntington, WV, 25755, USA
| | - Sam Swindell
- Justice, Law and Public Safety Studies Department, Romeoville, IL and Attorney and Counselor at Law, Lewis University, Christiansburg, VA, USA
| | - Walter E. Stroupe
- Department of Criminal Justice, West Virginia State University, P.O. Box 1000, Institute, WV 25112-1000, USA
| | - Kerri Steele
- Department of Criminal Justice, West Virginia State University, P.O. Box 1000, Institute, WV 25112-1000, USA
- Department of Social Work, West Virginia State University, P.O. Box 1000, Institute, WV 25112-1000, USA
| | - Megan Lawhon
- Department of Psychology, Marshall University, One John Marshall Dr., Huntington, WV 25755, USA
| | - Shih-Ya Kuo
- Department of Sociology, University of Macau, 4A, Staff Quarter S26, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macau, China
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Father's physique influences mate preferences but not the actual choice of male somatotype in heterosexual women and homosexual men. EVOL HUM BEHAV 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2017.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Saxton TK, Steel C, Rowley K, Newman AV, Baguley T. Facial resemblance between women's partners and brothers. EVOL HUM BEHAV 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2017.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Griffee K, Stroebel SS, O’Keefe SL, Harper-Dorton KV, Beard KW, Young DH, Swindell S, Stroupe WE, Steele K, Lawhon M, Kuo SY. Sexual imprinting of offspring on their parents and siblings. COGENT PSYCHOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/23311908.2017.1307632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Karen Griffee
- Division of Social Sciences, Concord University, P.O. Box 1000, Athens, WV 24712, USA
| | - Sandra S. Stroebel
- School Psychology Program, Marshall University Graduate College, 100 Angus E. Peyton Drive, South Charleston, WV 25303-1600, USA
| | - Stephen L. O’Keefe
- School Psychology Program, Marshall University Graduate College, 100 Angus E. Peyton Drive, South Charleston, WV 25303-1600, USA
| | | | - Keith W. Beard
- Department of Psychology, Marshall University, One John Marshall Dr., Huntington, WV 25755, USA
| | - Debra H. Young
- Charleston Division, School of Social Work, West Virginia University, Charleston, WV, USA
| | - Sam Swindell
- Justice, Law and Public Safety Studies Department, Lewis University, Romeoville, IL USA
- Attorney and Counselor at Law, Christiansburg, VA USA
| | - Walter E. Stroupe
- Department of Criminal Justice, West Virginia State University, P.O. Box 1000, Institute, WV 25112-1000, USA
| | - Kerri Steele
- Department of Criminal Justice, West Virginia State University, P.O. Box 1000, Institute, WV 25112-1000, USA
| | - Megan Lawhon
- Department of Psychology, Marshall University, One John Marshall Dr., Huntington, WV 25755, USA
| | - Shih-Ya Kuo
- Department of Criminal Justice, West Virginia State University, P.O. Box 1000, Institute, WV 25112-1000, USA
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Preference for faces resembling opposite-sex parents is moderated by emotional closeness in childhood. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2016.02.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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