Sex Doll Specifications versus Human Body Characteristics

Sex dolls have been criticized for reproducing unrealistic expectations about human bodies. Yet precise sex doll measurements are lacking in the literature nor has there been any systematic attempt to determine the extent to which sex dolls exaggerate human characteristics. To address this gap, we compared the specifications of sex dolls marketed in the USA with the characteristics of women and men living in the USA. Specifically, we tested if and to what degree female dolls were slimmer (H1) and male dolls more muscular (H2) than female and male humans, respectively. Furthermore, we tested if and to what degree female dolls' breasts (H3) and male dolls' penises (H4) were larger than those of women and men. We also tested if sex dolls' observed race/ethnicity was more often White than that of the US population (H5). In 2023, we collected the measures of all 757 full-body sex dolls marketed by the US retailer SexyRealSexDolls.com. Body measures from the US population were extracted from scientific literature. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed using R. All hypotheses were fully or partially confirmed, which indicated that sex dolls marketed in the USA are not realistic depictions of the US population but hypergendered (H1, H2), hypersexualized (H3, H4), and racially fetishized (H5). Implications of the lack of realism are discussed.

The Role of Mutual Masturbation within Relationships: Associations with Sexual Satisfaction and Sexual Self-Esteem

Objectives

We explored mutual masturbation among women and men and investigated associations with sexual satisfaction and sexual self-esteem.

Methods

117 women and 151 men (Mage = 29.7 years), mostly heterosexual, all in current relationships, completed an online survey covering experiences of solo and partnered sexual activities, feelings about mutual masturbation, sexual self-esteem, and sexual satisfaction.

Results

Mutual masturbation was common among both genders. Men reported significantly higher positive feelings about mutual masturbation than women. Recent mutual masturbation was positively associated with sexual satisfaction but not with sexual self-esteem.

Conclusions

These findings have implications for sex and couple therapy and research.

Bringing sex toys out of the dark: exploring unmitigated risks

A majority of American adults report having used sex toys, which, by design, interact with intimate and permeable body parts yet have not been subject to sufficient risk assessment or management. Physical and chemical data are presented examining potential risks associated with four types of currently available sex toys: anal toy, beads, dual vibrator, and external vibrator. A standardized abrasion machine made real-time breakdown of products into microplastics and nanoplastics. The microplastics from the sex toys were then solvent extracted and analyzed using GC-MS. Rates of microplastics and nanoplastics released during abrasion testing from most microplastic release to least was the anal toy, beads, dual vibrator, external vibrator. Both micro- and nanoplastics particles were generated following the abrasion test, with the 50 percentile diameters (D50) ranging from the anal beads at 658.5 μm, dual vibrator at 887.83 μm, anal toy at 950 μm, and external vibrator at 1673.33 μm. The material matrix of each product was analyzed using ATR-FTIR, with results identifying the anal toy as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the anal beads as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), the external vibrator as a silicone blend (polydimethylsiloxane [PDMS]), and the dual vibrator as a rubber mixture (polyisoprene). After extraction, phthalates known to be endocrine disruptors were present in all tested sex toys at levels exceeding hazard warnings. Analogous findings have been reported for similar materials that, when incorporated into other product categories, are subject to regulatory scrutiny in both the US and EU. This data set is not intended to be representative of sex toys as an entire class of products, nor are the abrasion experiments claiming to simulate exact use conditions. However, these exploratory data frame potential concerns, highlighting research questions and the need for prompt prioritization of protective action. Therefore, future studies and multi-stakeholder action are needed to understand and reduce risk for this class of products.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s43591-023-00054-6.

The impact of paid social Q&A on panic buying and digital hoarding at the stage of coexistence with COVID-19: The moderating role of sensitivity to pain of payment

The worldwide disaster caused by COVID-19 and its variants has changed the behavior and psychology of consumers. Panic buying and hoarding of various commodities continue to emerge in our daily life. Meanwhile, many scholars have focused on the causes of panic buying and hoarding of physical products like daily necessities and food during the outbreak of COVID-19. In fact, the phenomenon of panic buying and digital hoarding of paid social Q&A and other digital content products is very prominent, both in the outbreak period of COVID-19 epidemic and the current coexistence stage. However, the existing literature lacks empirical research to explore this phenomenon, and the psychological mechanism behind it has not been clearly revealed. Therefore, at the current stage of coexistence with COVID-19, based on the SOBC framework, we developed a theoretical model and explored the causes of panic buying and digital hoarding in paid social Q&A. The data collected from 863 paid social Q&A users in China are empirically tested. The results show that the characteristics of paid social Q&A (usefulness, ease of use, professionalism and value) can cause emotional contagion among platform users, activate their willingness to pay, and finally lead to digital hoarding and panic buying behavior of COVID-19 co-existence stage. In addition, the sensitivity to pain of payment moderates the relationship between emotional contagion and willingness to pay. Compared with the spendthrifts, the tightwads are more willing to pay. The conclusions will have positive significance for improving the retail service of digital content platform and promoting the consumption of digital content.

The sexuality of couples formed during the pandemic: An exploratory study

Covid-19 has been affecting people's lives on a social, economic, emotional, and sexual level. This study aims to investigate any change in how couples formed during the pandemic got to know the partner and experienced sexuality, including factors that could have influenced those changes in comparison with a pre-pandemic period. Particularly, focus groups (N = 26 women) were conducted and an online questionnaire (N = 120; 41 men and 79 women) was administered. Given the exploratory qualitative nature of the present research, no specific hypothesis was tested. Most of the sample reported an increase in sexual desire, sexual frequency, and quality of intercourse, perceiving an early development of intimacy. The results highlight the lack of stress and fear of contagion. The intense state of euphoria, typical of the initial phase of the relationship, has perhaps allowed the couples to overcome the obstacles due to the restrictions. This study underlines the role of being in love in the survival of the species, as it allows for the creation of steady relationships even in moments of danger.

A review study of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on individual sexual behavior, purchasing sex toys, and related consequences

Globally, COVID-19, both during and after the pandemic, has not only slowed countries’ economic development but has also affected social and daily life. Due to COVID-19, physical contact among couples has been reduced, and physical sexual activities have been affected and decreased. In order to satisfy their sexual needs and avoid mental health issues, individuals have shown an increasing inclination to purchase sex toys. Therefore, we conducted this review study to investigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexual activities, purchasing sex toys, and related consequences. Specifically, the present paper examines 45 studies and focuses on four themes: (1) COVID-19 and sex toys; (2) COVID-19 and sex (i.e. sexual life, sexuality, sexual health, sexual behavior); (3) factors affecting purchasing sex toys; and (4) COVID-19 consequences. The study findings reflect that, during to the pandemic, sex toy sales doubled in Australia, Colombia, Denmark, and the UK, and tripled in New Zealand. Sex toys have entailed positive (i.e. increased satisfaction, confidence, pleasure) and negative (addiction, allergic reaction, risk of sexually transmitted infection, embarrassment, and guilt) implications. In addition, participants all over the world engaged more in using sex toys and watching pornography to satisfy their sexual needs. Further, the use of online dating applications also increased, in order to have sex with close or casual partners. Regarding purchasing sex toys, we postulate that people buy these products due to lack of opportunity, relationship avoidance, loneliness, cost-effectiveness, time-saving, and emotionless behavior. Moreover, the pandemic has worsened family and sexual relationships. It has also increased anxiety, stress, and violence in society. In this context, we assert that there is still a need to explore the factors influencing individuals’ intentions toward purchasing sex toys, and studies need to be conducted to understand in more detail COVID-19's effects, both during and after the pandemic.