Talk:Motivation and emotion/Book/2017/Testosterone and sexual motivation

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Author: Demi Smith: This page represents chapter describing the effect of Testosterone on Sexual Motivation for the University of Canberra's Motivation an Emotion Unit of Semester 2 2017. Created by third year Psychology student Demi Smith (u3141154) from the approved list of 2017 book chapter topics.

Journal Article Reference[edit source]

Hi Demi,

I am excited to find out about what processes are involved in sexual motivation, and what influences the level of testosterone within individuals. You have a very interesting topic, and I am looking forward to reading it. I have found this article that may be of particular interest for your book chapter, which discusses gender and testosterone levels.

Verbeke, W. J. M. L., Belschak, F, D., Bogozzi, R, P., & De Rike, Y. B. (2015). Postgame testosterone levels of individuals in team-based status games are affected by genetic makeup, gender, and winning versus losing. Journal of Neuroscience, Psychology, and Economics, 8(3), 135-159. Doi:10.1037/npe0000041.

--U3141393 (discusscontribs) 12:30, 22 August 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Authors response[edit source]

Hi! Thanks so much for the article, I'm planning on talking a fair bit about individual differences: inclusive of gender differences, so this article will most likely come in handy! Thanks for taking the time to find something like this for me. Demibree (discusscontribs) 06:55, 1 September 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Sexual crime[edit source]

Maybe you could include the relationship between testosterone and sex crimes? ---- Jtneill - Talk - c 07:18, 30 August 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Authors response[edit source]

This is a really interesting topic that I didn't even think of incorporating into my chapter until you suggested it! This could fit in really well underneath the effects of testosterone and sexual motivation: and it would also explore some of the other effects of testosterone within the body such as aggression and dominance which I am finding to be quite evident within research. Thank you! Demibree (discusscontribs) 06:47, 1 September 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Gender differences[edit source]

Maybe consider gender differences. -- Jtneill - Talk - c 01:04, 1 September 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Authors response[edit source]

Hey there! I have included the sub headings "individual differences" for both testosterone and sexual motivation where I plan to include gender, age, sexuality and potentially athletic performance differences. I think it will be quite an interesting topic to dwell into, as I'd expect differences to occur between groups for both testosterone and sexual motivation! I am excited to share my findings: as testosterone is primarily thought to be associated with men and dominance and sexual motivation: BUT this doesn't mean women don't experience sexual motivation as well! Demibree (discusscontribs) 06:42, 1 September 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Heading casing[edit source]

FYI, the convention on Wikiversity is for lower-cased headings. For example, use:

==Cats and dogs==

rather than

==Cats and Dogs==

-- Jtneill - Talk - c 01:04, 1 September 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Authors response[edit source]

Thank you for that! I have made changes to my headings according to your suggestions! Demibree (discusscontribs) 06:23, 1 September 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Feedback[edit source]

Hi Demi. My Current topic is motivations and paraphilia. I was having a look at your development and find your topic an interesting one as it intertwines with mine. I found when researching in mine that possibly an excess of testosterone may lead to paraphilic behaviors, hence sexual arousal as well which is more prevalent in males. I did not find higher prevalence for this in females it is interesting that you're investigating these differences. I would suggest looking how the effects of this vary across cultures as well, as I found that Western cultures are more accepting of gender expression which does have an effect on individuals expressing their sexual fantasies which in turn is due to high testerone levels as well. Furthermore, with the case study I would suggest having a look at this link http://zh9bf5sp6t.search.serialssolutions.com/?ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&ctx_enc=info%3Aofi%2Fenc%3AUTF-8&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fsummon.serialssolutions.com&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Paraphilias+across+cultures%3A+contexts+and+controversies&rft.jtitle=The+Journal+of+Sex+Research&rft.au=Bhugra%2C+Dinesh&rft.au=Popelyuk%2C+Dmitri&rft.au=McMullen%2C+Isabel&rft.date=2010-03-01&rft.pub=Taylor+%26+Francis+Group%2C+LLC&rft.issn=0022-4499&rft.eissn=1559-8519&rft.volume=47&rft.issue=2-3&rft.spage=242&rft.externalDBID=n%2Fa&rft.externalDocID=A226161879&paramdict=en-US as it might help. All the best with your book chapter! Hope that helped :)) (The preceding unsigned comment was added by [[User:{{{1}}}|{{{1}}}]] ([[User talk:{{{1}}}|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/{{{1}}}|contribs]]) )

Authors response[edit source]

This is a direct copy and paste from my comment to your post on Moodle.

Thanks so much Meerab! I hadn't thought to look at it across cultures, but now I'm interested in finding more. I would definitely consider putting in a section regarding sexual fantasies and behaviours and testosterone as it does indeed fit in well with the topic and would provide some really interesting information. I'll certainly look into these articles, and see if I can find others related to it! What a good recommendation. Thanks a tonne!!

No problems at all, it doesn't matter to me at all where you posted this - I found it! Demibree (discusscontribs) 04:32, 2 September 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Feedback[edit source]

I just wanted to thank you for the feedback you gave me on my book chapter Testosterone and Dominance; particularly the idea of incorporating the subject of sex crimes. This is something I hadn’t really considered when planning my topic development but will definitely be incorporating it now! On another note, I find the way your chapter is formatted to be very easy to follow and although it is not fully fleshed out yet it is clear that the finished product with be a very interesting read!

Thanks again and good luck on the final product!

--Amelia Smith-Koppie (discusscontribs) 13:56, 16 October 2017(UTC)


Topic development review and feedback

The topic development has been reviewed according to the marking criteria. Written feedback is provided below, plus there is a general feedback page. Please also check the chapter's page history to check for editing changes made whilst reviewing through the chapter. Responses to this feedback can be made by starting a new section below and/or contacting the reviewer. Topic development marks will be available later via Moodle. Keep an eye on Announcements. Note that marks are based on what was available before the due date, whereas the comments may also be based on all material available at time of providing this feedback.

Title, sub-title, TOC[edit source]

  1. Excellent

User page[edit source]

  1. Created
  2. Used effectively

Social contribution[edit source]

  1. Well summarised with links to evidence
  2. Great to see the level of engagement on the talk page of the chapter you are working on.
  3. However, note that for social contribution marks, it is contributions to other chapters that count.

Section headings[edit source]

  1. Well developed 2-level heading structure, with meaningful headings that directly relate to the core topic.
  2. However, the only section that really matters is "Interaction between testosterone and sexual motivation" because that's what the chapter is about. The previous main body sections e.g., what is testosterone, what is sexual motivation etc. can be covered relatively briefly, with links to other book chapters and/or Wikipedia articles for more information. In other words, don't beat around the bush, cut to the chase, and present the best-known psychological theory and research which addresses the specific topic in an engaging way, with some practical tips.

Key points[edit source]

  1. Key points are well developed for each section, with some relevant citations.
  2. Include in-text interwiki links for the first mention of key terms to relevant Wikipedia articles.
  3. Good to see use of focus questions and intention to provide examples/case studies - these aid interactivity.
  4. Consider embedding one quiz question per major section rather than having one longer quiz towards the end.

Image[edit source]

  1. Well used
  2. Consider increasing image size from default
  3. Consider enhancing figure captions to help connect the image more strongly to key points being made in the text

References[edit source]

  1. Good.
  2. Remove links to images (images are automatically hyperlinked to further information)
  3. For full APA style:
    1. Use correct italicisation
    2. Use the new recommended format for dois - http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2014/07/how-to-use-the-new-doi-format-in-apa-style.html
    3. Do not include issue numbers for journals which are continuously numbered within a volume

Resources[edit source]

  1. See also
    1. Use bullet points
  2. External links
    1. Use bullet points
    2. Include more info about source in brackets after the link

-- Jtneill - Talk - c 23:17, 17 October 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Suggestions[edit source]

Hi Demi,

Interesting page, I especially liked reading about the theories that influence sexual motivation. I saw at the bottom that you mentioned some other aspects that effect sexual motivation. I don't know if you have seen these articles yet or not but I think they could help you.

This article talks about theory of communal motivation and sexuality: Muise, A., & Impett, E. A. (2016). Applying theories of communal motivation to sexuality: Sexual communal motivation. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 10(8), 455-467. doi:10.1111/spc3.12261

And this one on self-determination theory: Smith, C. V. (2007). In pursuit of ‘good’ sex: Self-determination and the sexual experience. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 24(1), 69-85. doi:10.1177/0265407507072589

Hope these are helpful! U3117276 (discusscontribs) 02:24, 18 November 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Authors reply[edit source]

Hey! I saw this and it really helped! I just made my own little suggestions on your page which I hope you find helpful too. I am so glad that we found each other, thank you so much for your suggestions! I really hope I don't go too much over the word limit with this chapter, as there are so many interesting things to talk about. So those articles are really interesting and exactly what I want to talk about if I have time/words to write about them.

I obviously have a long way to go, but if you have any other suggestions whatsoever please don't be shy in letting me know! Even little things are greatly appreciated.

Demibree (discusscontribs) 02:54, 18 November 2017 (UTC)[reply]

user u3117276 reply[edit source]

No worries, glad I could help!

I found another article too for you. This one provides a nice framework for all of the things you are covering in your chapter: Toates, F. (2009). An integrative theoretical framework for understanding sexual motivation, arousal, and behavior. Journal of Sex Research, 46(2-3), 168-193. doi:10.1080/00224490902747768

Also maybe have a look at your reference list, you need to italicise to make it APA. Maybe a quiz question you could add in could be "what is not part of Maslow's Hierarchy of needs'? Good way to check if people are retaining what you've written!

In your testosterone and sex crime section I saw that people committed of sex crimes had higher testosterone levels. Why do you think this is? I would have thought that with the link of testosterone and violence that physical fights ect would have higher testosterone levels than sex related violence. U3117276 (discusscontribs) 03:29, 18 November 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Authors reply[edit source]

Oh thanks, I already had that article, haha! And again, I plan on hopefully using it! And yes, thanks for that. I actually lost marks in my topic development for forgetting to italicize the journal, so thank you - I've put that on my to-do list so I don't forget! I like that questions, it's easy but the hierarchy of needs is such am important theory that I feel like people really should be quizzed on it!

In regards to testosterone and sexual crimes, I have a few theories - which hopefully I will be able to discuss. Freud suggested that sexual drive is impacted by early childhood experiences: and as i have established, testosterone is a mediator of sexual motivation, so potentially a traumatic sexual experience in childhood could lead to increased levels of testosterone and thus sexual motivation to harm others? OR I have actually read some other papers which discusses the relationship of testosterone and sexual motivation in reverse. By that, I mean that sexual stimuli have been noted to increase testosterone. So perhaps, sexual criminals have had more experience with sexual stimuli and thus have higher levels of testosterone.

Thanks again!

Demibree (discusscontribs) 03:52, 18 November 2017 (UTC)[reply]

User reply 3[edit source]

That's really interesting about how it can work in reverse! Is that in men and women? Say women who work in sexual fields like porn or prostitution, would they have higher amounts of testosterone than women who many not have to do with sexual things on a daily basis? U3117276 (discusscontribs) 04:18, 18 November 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Authors reply[edit source]

Well in a study that I found, women don't necessarily need visual material to stimulate an increase in T and therefore arousal. But for men, yes - it has been found across multiple studies that just mere exposure to sexual stimuli such as porn, even without masturbating can increase testosterone levels in their body.

Demibree (discusscontribs) 22:48, 18 November 2017 (UTC)[reply]


Chapter review and feedback[edit source]

This chapter has been reviewed according to the marking criteria. Written feedback is provided below, plus there is a general feedback page. Please also check the chapter's page history to check for editing changes made whilst reviewing through the chapter. Responses to this feedback can be made by starting a new section below and/or contacting the reviewer. Chapter marks will be available later via Moodle, along with social contribution marks and feedback. Keep an eye on Announcements.

Overall[edit source]

  1. Overall, this is a very good chapter that successfully uses psychological theory and research to help address a practical, real-world phenomenon.
  2. For additional feedback, see these copyedits.

Theory[edit source]

  1. Theories are well described and explained.
  2. There is probably too much general theoretical background about sexual motivation. Concentrate on the topic - i.e. T and SM. This focus starts approximately half-way through the chapter - ideally, this focus would emerge earlier.
  3. Consider: how does T affect SM?
  4. Did you consult Freud (1895) etc.? Probably not, in which case this should be a secondary citation.

Research[edit source]

  1. Good coverage of a wide range of relevant research.
  2. When describing important research findings, indicate the size of effects in addition to whether or not there was an effect or relationship.
  3. Greater emphasis on major reviews and meta-analyses would be helpful.

Written expression[edit source]

  1. Written expression
    1. In general, avoid starting sentences with an author name, unless the author is particularly pertinent. Instead, what is of far more interest to the reader, is the content/key point, with the citation included in brackets at the end of the sentence.
    2. Once an abbreviation is established (e.g., T), use it.
  2. Layout
    1. Sections which include sub-sections should also include an introductory paragraph (which doesn't need a separate heading) before branching into the sub-headings.
  3. Learning features
    1. Interwiki links are really well used.
    2. Very good use of images.
    3. Basic use of tables.
    4. Excellent use of quizzes.
    5. Good use of case studies.
  4. Spelling, grammar, and proofreading.
    1. Check and correct use of ownership apostrophes (e.g., individuals vs. individual's).
    2. Use Australian spelling (e.g., hypothesize vs. hypothesise; behavior vs. behaviour).
    3. Check and correct use of that vs. who.
    4. Spelling can be improved (e.g., see the [spelling?] tags).
    5. The grammar for some sentences could be improved (e.g., see the [grammar?] tags).
  5. APA style
    1. Use APA style for Table captions.
    2. Citations
      1. Use ampersand (&) inside brackets and "and" outside brackets.
    3. References are not in full APA style e.g.,
      1. See new doi format.
      2. Do not include issue numbers for journals which are continuously numbered within volumes.


Multimedia feedback

The accompanying multimedia presentation has been marked according to the marking criteria. Marks are available via the unit's Moodle site. Written feedback is provided below, plus see the general feedback page. Responses to this feedback can be made by starting a new section below. If you would like further clarification about the marking or feedback, contact the unit convener.

Overall[edit source]

  1. Overall, this is a very good presentation.

Structure and content[edit source]

  1. Many of the comments about the book chapter also apply to this section, particularly that the sexual motivation theory content could be abbreviated, to allow greater focus on T and SM. Again the T-SM relationship isn't addressed until over half-way through the presentation.
  2. The presentation is well structured (Title, Overview, Body, Conclusion).
  3. Add and narrate the Title and Sub-title, to help the viewer understanding the focus and goal of the presentation.
  4. Add and narrate an Overview slide, to help orientate the viewer about what will be covered.
  5. The presentation could be strengthened by adding a Conclusion slide with practical, take-home messages.

Communication[edit source]

  1. Well narrated - engaging and easy to follow.
  2. Consider slow down and leaving longer pauses between sentences (means covering less content). This can help the viewer to cognitively digest the information that has just been presented before moving on to the next point.
  3. Visual presentation is also engaging. But consider reducing the amount of text and increasing the font size because text is hard to take in while listening to narrated audio.

Production quality[edit source]

  1. Use the full chapter Title and Sub-title on the opening slide and in the name of the video because this helps to match the book chapter and to clearly convey the purpose of the presentation.
  2. Audio and video recording quality was excellent.

-- Jtneill - Talk - c 03:18, 5 December 2017 (UTC)[reply]