Why I Don't Trust Popular Sexologists

[Anonymous]

Fathoms77 wrote a myTake about a famous sexologist. As a response to that myTake, I reject taking sexual advice from popular sexologists.

Popular Sexology Is A Dumbed-Down Version Of Real Sexology

Real sexology is the body of research papers published by academics. Real sexology is based on past research and observations of patterns in human sexual behavior and thought. People may be biased or serve their own interests, but a research paper that cites former papers about the topic is more reliable than one person's opinion. You would at least know where the authors are coming from or understand the thought process, and then you may accept/reject the authors' findings based on contradictory/supportive evidence in research papers.

But, many people are either unable or unwilling to read research papers. They are unable, because peer-reviewed journals tend to be locked up for subscribers only, and subscribers tend to be universities, colleges, researchers, students, and college-educated alumni who may receive free access to scholarly databases just for going to the school. They are unwilling, because peer-reviewed journals tend to be extremely information-dense and formal, and this style of writing may be a turn-off to the common man/woman because he/she may not find anything of value to him/her on a personal level.

So, here's where the pop sexologist comes in. The pop sexologist presumptively takes the body of literature and interprets it for the common people. The plus side is that the information is easy-to-understand and readily applicable. The downside is that the information misses out all the nuances and doubts that are characteristic of the scientific mind. A healthy dose of skepticism can't hurt, can it? In contrast, the pop sexologist presenter must appear confident, and this gives the impression of a level of certainty that may not be there. So, the confidence may mislead.

Although pop sexology does have the advantage of rousing interest in the common people, true knowledge lies in real sexology and is an ongoing science.

An Expert's Opinion Is One Person's Opinion

An expert's opinion is one person's opinion. Just that person's opinion is not reliable enough. In order to be reliable, an expert cites other experts and their empirical research. Any kind of empirical research must be specific about what the study is measuring and its own limitations (what it cannot measure but future studies may explore). Saying something beyond what is currently studied may be interesting or inspirational, but it is not science.

Same goes for Dr. Emily Morse. The problem is, even experts are biased. We like to think that academics working in research universities have no conflict of interest or no personal convictions, but let's be realistic. They are ordinary people like you and me. On top of that, private companies may pay big money to fund the research in scholarly journals to protect the public image of their products.

In the video, Dr. Morse advises that people should have sex whenever they feel comfortable in the relationship. However, she does not mention the level of commitment. This failure to mention the level of commitment is misleading, because there is growing body of evidence in the literature that suggests that higher levels of commitment prior to sexual intercourse is required for longer and more satisfying relationships. This is known as the sexual restraint model.

I don't think Dr. Morse is entirely wrong. Under the sexual restraint model, people who wait to have sex are more committed to their partners and have more satisfying relationships than people who don't. I think it is plausible to extrapolate and infer that these people feel comfortable in the relationship to have sex at the right time, which is at best after the wedding. However, Dr. Morse's omission may paint a different picture: that sex at any time is all right as long as people are comfortable about it and are doing it for the right reasons.

Sexology Is A Systematic Approach To Understanding People's Sex Lives In Societies

Sexology is based on experiments, quasi-experiments, correlation studies, cohort studies, case studies, etc. Like sociology, it is concerned with the study of human behavior and thought in societies. Unlike it, it is focused on the sexual side. Because it tries to discover patterns of human behavior and thought in societies, it is an extremely relevant and useful tool for sex therapists to help people with sexual disorders and dysfunctions. However, each individual really is unique. So, one thing that sexologists do is treat the patient and publish the paper about the treatment and result, so other clinical sexologists and sex therapists can implement the same idea. Therefore, an advice from a YouTube presenter that has a Doctor of Human Sexuality degree from an unaccredited academic institution should be taken with a grain of salt.

[modeve]

I have been through a short course of sexual therapy, so I can claim to an extent that most of the sexologists take advantage of your disturbance. Usually they aggravate it by telling you stories, inculcating fear in your mind and draw a bleak pic of your failure for active sex and enjoying the maximum.
It is primarily a psychological beginning when you think am I good in bed, or why don't I get multiple orgasms.
Keep your mind cool, be innovative in sexual acts, open in discussion with friends and particularly partner, read classic books etc. You will not have to go to any sexologist.

[anonman32]

i just think they want me to buy their book or something so i dont listen to them, there are better sources than pop science as it is called.

[btbc92]

Sexologist are lairs and everything they say is all lust based. And if they're saying they have no problems in their marriage and doing all of things they're recommending people to do; their lying.

[Wulfila]

I ignore them almost entirely. Like anything else, sex academics and sexologists often have an agenda to push. I think that they do more harm than good.

[willITT]

haha.. no.

saying use lube for anal is proven science. that's like saying doctors who give advice in public media aren't properly trained,, that's bullshit...

give an ecample of how your youtube vid isn't proper "science"?

[Anonymous]

I don't trust them either for the same reasons