Improper Fuzz
At the recommendation of Savage Love, I filled out sex survey from the University of British Columbia. Questions are standardized from the '70s and '80s, so some of the are a little odd for liberal-minded folks today. But what really bothers me is the BIDR section asking general questions about my personality. The answers are fuzzy with 1 as "Not True," 4 as "Somewhat True," and 7 as "Very True." Normally, I like fuzziness in surveys because I often have fuzzy answers. But whose idea was it to seek fuzzy results to absolute questions?
9. I am fully in control of my own fate.
11. I never regret my decisions.
15. I am a completely rational person.
21. I sometimes tell lies if I have to.
22. I never cover up my mistakes.
24. I never swear.
29. I have received too much change from a salesperson without telling him or her.
30. I always declare everything at customs.
Words like "fully," "never," "completely," and "always" turn fuzzy questions into bivalent ones. Maybe they assume you're lying in the fuzzy section if you answer 7 to question 15.
SES/SIS
You scored 55 on the Sexual Excitation Scale (SES).
The SES is a measure of one’s tendency to become easily sexually aroused. Scores range from a minimum of 20 to a maximum of 80. Higher scores indicate an increased proneness to become easily sexually excited. Results from past research put the general male population SES average between 57.2 and 58.0. The current average for this study is 57.9. Higher scores have been shown to be related to increased responsiveness to sexual stimuli, higher frequency of masturbation and greater number of sexual partners.
You scored 27 on the Sexual Inhibition - 1 Scale (SIS1).
The SIS1 is a measure of one’s tendency to be sexually inhibited due to fear of performance failure (i.e. inability to maintain an erection). Scores range from a minimum of 14 and a maximum of 56. Higher scores indicate an increased proneness to be fearful of losing one’s erection. On average, men in the general population score between 27.0 and 28.9 on the SIS1. The current average for this study is 28.5.
You scored 22 on the Sexual Inhibition - 2 Scale (SIS2).
The SIS2 is measure of one’s tendency to be sexually inhibited due to fear of possible negative outcomes from a sexual interaction (e.g. unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, etc.). Scores range from a minimum of 11 and a maximum of 44. Higher scores indicate an increased proneness to lose sexual arousal due to threat of negative consequences. Average SIS2 scores for men in the general population range from 26.8 to 28.3. The current average for this study is 26.1. Men who score high on the SIS2 are more likely to avoid risky sexual behaviours (e.g. unprotected sex, greater number of partners, etc.)
SDI-2
You scored 26 on the Dyadic Subscale of the Sexual Desire Inventory - 2 (SDI-2).
You scored 14 on the Solitary Subscale of the Sexual Desire Inventory - 2 (SDI-2).
The Sexual Desire Inventory-2 is a measure of one’s interest in sexual activity (i.e. sexual desire). The Dyadic Subscale score captures desire for partner related activity and the Solitary Subscale captures desire for solo sexual activity (i.e. masturbation). Scores range from 0 to 62 for the Dyadic Subscale (DS) and from 0 to 25 on the Solitary Subscale (SS). There is no previous population data available for this measure. However, the current averages for women in this study are: DS - 37; SS - 9. The current averages for men in this study are: DS - 44; SS - 14.
TSO
Your average weekly Total Sexual Outlet is 0.5.
Your lifetime maximum Total Sexual Outlet is 3.
In the original Kinsey sex studies, Total Sexual Outlet (or amount of orgasms per week) was considered a good indicator of sexual drive. Kinsey reported that the average weekly TSO for unmarried women was 0.5, for married women was 2.2 and for men was 2.5. He suggested that a cutoff of a weekly TSO of 7 was evidence of a high sexual drive, with only 3% of men reporting a TSO of 8 or more. However, Kinsey’s data was collected in the 1940s and since then researchers have suggested that the results Kinsey reported far underestimate current patterns of TSOs. Additionally, researchers have concluded that TSO is not a good measure of sexual drive as there are far too many other factors that lead to high or low TSOs. The TSO was included in this study to provide data that may refute Kinsey’s claims. The current mean average weekly TSOs for men and women in this study are 5.6 and 5.2, respectively. The current mean average maximum weekly TSOs for men and women in this study are 10.9 and 7.3, respectively.
SCS
You scored 1.3 on the Sexual Compulsivity Scale (SCS).
The Sexual Compulsivity Scale is a measure of sexual preoccupation and difficulty managing sexual thoughts and behaviours. The scale is scored by summing all of your responses and dividing by 10 (the number of items). Scores range from 1 to 4 with greater numbers indicating increased sexual compulsivity. The average score on SCS for college males is 1.64 and for college females is 1.33. The current averages for males and females in this study are 1.52 and 1.27, respectively. Higher scores are related to increased sexual risk taking (i.e. unprotected sex with multiple partners) while lower scores are related to safer sexual practices.
DSFI
The Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory has various subscales:
You scored 23 on the Sexual Information Subscale.
This scale is a measure of your sexual knowledge. The minimum score is 0 and the maximum score is 26. The average scores for men and women in the original study were 21.2 and 21.3, respectively. The current average scores for men and women in this study are 20.5 and 21.8, respectively.
You scored 24 on the Sexual Experiences Subscale.
This scale measures the amount of different types of sexual experiences you have had. Scores range from 0 to 24 different types of sexual experiences. The average amounts for the men and women in the original study were 20.8 and 20.1, respectively. The current average amounts for men and women in this study are 20.4 and 20.2, respectively.
You scored 40 on the Sexual Attitudes Subscale.
This scale measures how liberal/conservative your sexual attitudes are. Score range from -60 to +60 with higher scores indicating a more liberal attitude. The average scores in the original study for men and women were +27.2 and +20.6, respectively. The current average scores for men and women in this study are +23.97 and +24.88, respectively.
You scored 15 on the Body Image Subscale.
This scale measures your satisfaction with your body. Scores range from 0 to 60 with higher numbers indicating less satisfaction. The average scores for men and women in the original study were 11.7 and 14.7, respectively. The current average scores for men and women in this study are 18.9 and 21.1, respectively.
You scored 6 on the Sexual Satisfaction Subscale.
This scale measures your satisfaction with your current sex life. Scores range from 0 to 10 with higher scores indicating greater satisfaction. The average scores for men and women in the original study were 7.8 and 8.9, respectively. The current average scores for men and women in this study are 7.6 and 7.4, respectively.
9. I am fully in control of my own fate.
11. I never regret my decisions.
15. I am a completely rational person.
21. I sometimes tell lies if I have to.
22. I never cover up my mistakes.
24. I never swear.
29. I have received too much change from a salesperson without telling him or her.
30. I always declare everything at customs.
Words like "fully," "never," "completely," and "always" turn fuzzy questions into bivalent ones. Maybe they assume you're lying in the fuzzy section if you answer 7 to question 15.
SES/SIS
You scored 55 on the Sexual Excitation Scale (SES).
The SES is a measure of one’s tendency to become easily sexually aroused. Scores range from a minimum of 20 to a maximum of 80. Higher scores indicate an increased proneness to become easily sexually excited. Results from past research put the general male population SES average between 57.2 and 58.0. The current average for this study is 57.9. Higher scores have been shown to be related to increased responsiveness to sexual stimuli, higher frequency of masturbation and greater number of sexual partners.
You scored 27 on the Sexual Inhibition - 1 Scale (SIS1).
The SIS1 is a measure of one’s tendency to be sexually inhibited due to fear of performance failure (i.e. inability to maintain an erection). Scores range from a minimum of 14 and a maximum of 56. Higher scores indicate an increased proneness to be fearful of losing one’s erection. On average, men in the general population score between 27.0 and 28.9 on the SIS1. The current average for this study is 28.5.
You scored 22 on the Sexual Inhibition - 2 Scale (SIS2).
The SIS2 is measure of one’s tendency to be sexually inhibited due to fear of possible negative outcomes from a sexual interaction (e.g. unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, etc.). Scores range from a minimum of 11 and a maximum of 44. Higher scores indicate an increased proneness to lose sexual arousal due to threat of negative consequences. Average SIS2 scores for men in the general population range from 26.8 to 28.3. The current average for this study is 26.1. Men who score high on the SIS2 are more likely to avoid risky sexual behaviours (e.g. unprotected sex, greater number of partners, etc.)
SDI-2
You scored 26 on the Dyadic Subscale of the Sexual Desire Inventory - 2 (SDI-2).
You scored 14 on the Solitary Subscale of the Sexual Desire Inventory - 2 (SDI-2).
The Sexual Desire Inventory-2 is a measure of one’s interest in sexual activity (i.e. sexual desire). The Dyadic Subscale score captures desire for partner related activity and the Solitary Subscale captures desire for solo sexual activity (i.e. masturbation). Scores range from 0 to 62 for the Dyadic Subscale (DS) and from 0 to 25 on the Solitary Subscale (SS). There is no previous population data available for this measure. However, the current averages for women in this study are: DS - 37; SS - 9. The current averages for men in this study are: DS - 44; SS - 14.
TSO
Your average weekly Total Sexual Outlet is 0.5.
Your lifetime maximum Total Sexual Outlet is 3.
In the original Kinsey sex studies, Total Sexual Outlet (or amount of orgasms per week) was considered a good indicator of sexual drive. Kinsey reported that the average weekly TSO for unmarried women was 0.5, for married women was 2.2 and for men was 2.5. He suggested that a cutoff of a weekly TSO of 7 was evidence of a high sexual drive, with only 3% of men reporting a TSO of 8 or more. However, Kinsey’s data was collected in the 1940s and since then researchers have suggested that the results Kinsey reported far underestimate current patterns of TSOs. Additionally, researchers have concluded that TSO is not a good measure of sexual drive as there are far too many other factors that lead to high or low TSOs. The TSO was included in this study to provide data that may refute Kinsey’s claims. The current mean average weekly TSOs for men and women in this study are 5.6 and 5.2, respectively. The current mean average maximum weekly TSOs for men and women in this study are 10.9 and 7.3, respectively.
SCS
You scored 1.3 on the Sexual Compulsivity Scale (SCS).
The Sexual Compulsivity Scale is a measure of sexual preoccupation and difficulty managing sexual thoughts and behaviours. The scale is scored by summing all of your responses and dividing by 10 (the number of items). Scores range from 1 to 4 with greater numbers indicating increased sexual compulsivity. The average score on SCS for college males is 1.64 and for college females is 1.33. The current averages for males and females in this study are 1.52 and 1.27, respectively. Higher scores are related to increased sexual risk taking (i.e. unprotected sex with multiple partners) while lower scores are related to safer sexual practices.
DSFI
The Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory has various subscales:
You scored 23 on the Sexual Information Subscale.
This scale is a measure of your sexual knowledge. The minimum score is 0 and the maximum score is 26. The average scores for men and women in the original study were 21.2 and 21.3, respectively. The current average scores for men and women in this study are 20.5 and 21.8, respectively.
You scored 24 on the Sexual Experiences Subscale.
This scale measures the amount of different types of sexual experiences you have had. Scores range from 0 to 24 different types of sexual experiences. The average amounts for the men and women in the original study were 20.8 and 20.1, respectively. The current average amounts for men and women in this study are 20.4 and 20.2, respectively.
You scored 40 on the Sexual Attitudes Subscale.
This scale measures how liberal/conservative your sexual attitudes are. Score range from -60 to +60 with higher scores indicating a more liberal attitude. The average scores in the original study for men and women were +27.2 and +20.6, respectively. The current average scores for men and women in this study are +23.97 and +24.88, respectively.
You scored 15 on the Body Image Subscale.
This scale measures your satisfaction with your body. Scores range from 0 to 60 with higher numbers indicating less satisfaction. The average scores for men and women in the original study were 11.7 and 14.7, respectively. The current average scores for men and women in this study are 18.9 and 21.1, respectively.
You scored 6 on the Sexual Satisfaction Subscale.
This scale measures your satisfaction with your current sex life. Scores range from 0 to 10 with higher scores indicating greater satisfaction. The average scores for men and women in the original study were 7.8 and 8.9, respectively. The current average scores for men and women in this study are 7.6 and 7.4, respectively.