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Article 1: Shick, V. R., Calabrese, S. K., Rima, B. N., & Zucker, A. N. (2010). Genital appearance dissatisfaction: Implications for women's genital image self-consciousness, sexual esteem, sexual satisfaction, and sexual risk. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 34, 394–404.

Learning Objective: Understanding complex influences that satisfaction with genital appearance has on female sexuality

Summary: Studies of body image and its influence on sexuality are many and not at all unequivocal. The authors of this study examine female satisfaction or dissatisfaction with their genital appearance and its influence on sexuality. Sexual satisfaction, along with other aspects of sexuality, is influenced by genital appearance satisfaction, but this relationship is mediated by genital image self-consciousness.

Questions to Consider:

1. What is body image? What is its effect on sexuality?
2. What are some cultural influences on the development of female genital image?
3. According to this study, what pattern of sexual behavior is expected in women who are dissatisfied with their genital image?

Article 2: Gallup, G. G., Ampel, B. C., Wedberg, N., & Pogosjan, A. (2014). Do orgasms give women feedback about mate choice? Evolutionary Psychology, 12(5), 958–978.

Learning Objective: Exploring the role of female orgasm as an adaptive trait in promoting good mate choices

Summary: The authors of this research gather data in order to explore the relationship between female orgasm and quality of mate choices. Their data suggest that frequency of orgasm in women who are in committed relationships is correlated with partner’s family income, attractiveness, and self-confidence, among other factors. This study suggests that female orgasm may be an evolved trait for promoting better mate choices.

Questions to Consider:

1. What does it mean that female orgasm is a tool of mate choice?
2. What are some main correlations with female orgasm registered in this study?
3. What does this study reveal about social influence on mate choice?

Article 3: Sharpe, T. N. (2004). Introduction to sexuality in late life. Family Journal, 12(2), 199–205.

Learning Objective: Understanding aspects and challenges of sexuality in late life

Summary: The authors represent sexuality in late life from several perspectives, including physiological and social ones. Sexual development in late life is understudied, and it is hard to determine what should be considered normative. It is also affected by many factors, which need to be understood in order to perceive its true complexity.

Questions to Consider:

1. Which factors influence the lack of knowledge about sexuality among the elderly?
2. Explain the main premises of disengagement, activity, and continuity theory. According to your opinion, which of these theories is prevalent in lay thinking about the elderly?
3. What is the influence of social expectations on late-life sexuality?