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Behavioral Sciences
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Sexual Double Standard: Prejudice in Gender and Sexual Orientation
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Sexual Double Standard: Prejudice in Gender and Sexual Orientation

A special issue of Behavioral Sciences (ISSN 2076-328X). This special issue belongs to the section "Social Psychology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 6139

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Carmen Gómez-Berrocal

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Social Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Interests: ethnic prejudice; gender prejudice; social identity; sexual attitudes; gender norms
Dr. María del Mar Sánchez-Fuentes

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Mind, Brain, and Behavior Research Center, University of Granada, 18017 Granada, Spain
Interests: gender studies; sexuality; human sexuality; sociology of health; feminist theory; sociology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Since the mid-20th century, legislative advances that promote sexual gender equality coexist with traditional values; they both jointly determine what is accepted and expected gender sexual behavior. The "Sexual Double Standard" (SDS) involves making a different assessment of the same sexual behavior depending on the gender of the person who carries it out. Studying the factors that facilitate this double standard and the forms of expression it can take contributes to understanding sexual gender inequality.

From the accumulated evidence on SDS has been concluded that at least three interrelated levels of analysis will allow us to better understand this phenomenon. From an individual level, the determinants and adherence to SDS are analyzed considering personality traits. At the relational level, relationships with others, interactions and social influence (e.g., socialization messages, parental influence, sexual and intimate partner influence) become important. At the ideological and community levels, the relationships and conflicts between social groups (e.g., heteronormative and non-heteronormative groups) and ideologies related to gendered prejudices are considered the determinants for understanding SDS. Finally, a significant contribution to clinical and community practice results from the study focused on how SDS adherence is related to health (e.g., sexual health, well-being, physical health).

This Special Issue aims to publish high-quality articles relating SDS.

Dr. Carmen Gómez-Berrocal
Dr. María del Mar Sánchez-Fuentes
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • sexual double standards
  • gender norms
  • gender roles
  • gendered prejudices
  • sexual identity/ sexual orientation
  • personality traits
  • social influence
  • interpersonal relationship
  • gender-based conflict
  • sexual/mental health

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 1313 KiB  
Article
Religiosity, Sexual Double Standard, and Intimate Partner Coercive Victimization in Dating Relationships: An Explanatory Model and Psychometric Evidence
by Alhena L. Alfaro-Urquiola, Beatriz Pérez, Francisco Javier Rodríguez-Díaz and Francisco Javier Herrero Diez
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(3), 294; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15030294 - 2 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1505
Abstract
The literature identifies coercive violence in dating relationships as one of the most prevalent forms of violence and a precursor to more severe types of abuse. While the relationship between the sexual double standard (SDS) and religion with intimate partner violence has been [...] Read more.
The literature identifies coercive violence in dating relationships as one of the most prevalent forms of violence and a precursor to more severe types of abuse. While the relationship between the sexual double standard (SDS) and religion with intimate partner violence has been studied, there is a lack of research exploring the direct and indirect influence of religiosity through the promotion of the SDS. This gap is particularly evident when considering measurement invariance by gender, despite these variables being shaped by gender norms. Using a sample of Chilean university students, this study examined the structure and factorial invariance by gender of the Sexual Double Standard Scale (DSS) (N = 909) and the Relationship Control Factor Subscale (RCFS) (N = 855). Additionally, the study analyzed, for each gender, the impact of religiosity on experiences of coercive victimization within relationships, considering the mediating role of the SDS (N = 781). Both instruments revealed different structures by gender, leading to the development of independent models for men (N = 278) and women (N = 500). Religiosity emerged as a risk factor for victimization in both study groups. However, it also exhibited a protective effect specifically for women. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual Double Standard: Prejudice in Gender and Sexual Orientation)
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18 pages, 756 KiB  
Article
Sexual and Agency Norms: Effect on Young Women’s Self-Perception and Attitude Toward Sexual Consent
by María del Mar Sánchez-Fuentes, Antonio Rafael Hidalgo-Muñoz, Nieves Moyano and Carmen Gómez-Berrocal
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(3), 250; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15030250 - 22 Feb 2025
Viewed by 599
Abstract
Background: The sexual double standard (SDS) governs behaviors related to sexual activity and abstinence, promoting negative evaluations of sexually assertive women. Conversely, the sexual agency norm encourages young women to express their sexuality freely. This study explores how this complex normative context, combining [...] Read more.
Background: The sexual double standard (SDS) governs behaviors related to sexual activity and abstinence, promoting negative evaluations of sexually assertive women. Conversely, the sexual agency norm encourages young women to express their sexuality freely. This study explores how this complex normative context, combining SDS and sexual agency norms, impacts young women’s self-concept and attitudes toward sexual consent. Methods: A total of 154 Spanish university women (Mage = 19.69 years; SD = 2.23) participated in a 2 × 2 quasi-experimental design [Personal Reputation Threat: Sexual Activity vs. Sexual Abstinence × Agency Belief Affirmation: High vs. Low]. Participants completed a self-perception measure and the Spanish Adaptation of the Sexual Consent Scale-Revised. Results: Personal Reputation Threat influenced positive self-evaluation, with higher scores in the Sexual Activity (vs. Abstinence) condition. Agency Belief Affirmation also affected self-evaluation, with higher scores in the low-agency (vs. high-agency) condition. An interaction effect emerged on attitudes favoring sexual consent: participants showed greater support for sexual consent when devalued for sexual assertiveness rather than abstinence, but only under low-agency belief affirmation. These findings highlight identity conflicts and inconsistent sexual attitudes that young women may experience within the complex normative frameworks of contemporary Western societies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual Double Standard: Prejudice in Gender and Sexual Orientation)
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15 pages, 2513 KiB  
Article
Associations of Implicit and Explicit Sexual Double Standard Endorsement and Sexual Assertiveness with Sexual and Interactional Competence in Emerging Adults
by Andrea Grauvogl, Ron Pat-El and Jacques J. D. M. van Lankveld
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(9), 790; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14090790 - 9 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1314
Abstract
In this study, among emerging adults, we investigated the interrelationships of explicit and implicit measures of sexual assertiveness (SA) and sexual double standard endorsement (SDS) on the one hand, and different aspects of sexual and interactional competence (SAIC) on the other hand, using [...] Read more.
In this study, among emerging adults, we investigated the interrelationships of explicit and implicit measures of sexual assertiveness (SA) and sexual double standard endorsement (SDS) on the one hand, and different aspects of sexual and interactional competence (SAIC) on the other hand, using Partial Least Squares Path Modeling (PLS-PM) of cross-sectional data. Participants were 159 sexually active, heterosexual individuals in the Netherlands between 18 and 25 years. No exclusion criteria were used. The Sexual Competence and Interaction Competence in Youth and lifetime number of sexual partners were used to measure SAIC. Explicit SA was measured using the Hurlbert Index of Sexual Assertiveness, while Explicit SDS was assessed using the Scale for the Assessment of Sexual Standards in Youth. Two implicit association tests were performed to measure implicit SA and SDS. Participants accessed these computerized reaction time tasks via a secure online data collection platform. Results showed a strong association between the latent factors of sexual attitudes and SAIC. Greater SA and lower SDS were associated with a greater competence level. No gender effects were found. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual Double Standard: Prejudice in Gender and Sexual Orientation)
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12 pages, 697 KiB  
Article
The Sexual Double Standard toward Non-Heterosexual Populations: Evaluations of Sexually Active Gay Men and Lesbian Women
by Michael Marks and Serina Padgett
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(8), 706; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14080706 - 13 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1687
Abstract
We examined the sexual double standard (SDS) toward sexually active gay men and lesbian women and the role that participants’ masculinity and femininity played in their evaluations. We hypothesized that there would be a reverse SDS in which highly sexually active lesbian women [...] Read more.
We examined the sexual double standard (SDS) toward sexually active gay men and lesbian women and the role that participants’ masculinity and femininity played in their evaluations. We hypothesized that there would be a reverse SDS in which highly sexually active lesbian women would be evaluated positively and highly sexually active gay men negatively, with both being evaluated more negatively than less sexually active gay men and lesbians. We also hypothesized that masculinity would moderate this effect, with participant masculinity being positively related to stronger negative evaluations of highly sexually active gay targets and more positive evaluations of highly sexually active lesbian targets. Results indicate a weak SDS in the areas of likability and morality, with highly sexually active lesbians being liked by masculine participants the most and highly sexually active gay men being rated as the least moral. The SDS appears to be influenced by expectations of gender roles and may be reversed for gay men and lesbian women because of these expectations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual Double Standard: Prejudice in Gender and Sexual Orientation)
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