Make new discoveries
Today, just as in 1947, research at the Kinsey Institute seeks to illuminate the most intimate and formative aspects of our lives.
Developments in fields ranging from neuroscience and psychology to biology and gender studies inform questions asked by our scientists.
COVID-19 ResearchDid you know?
Many researchers also use the Kinsey Institute’s library, collections, and scholarly archives to learn more about the history of sexuality. Resources include the works of Alfred Kinsey and Masters & Johnson.
COVID-19 Research
New studies investigating the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on our sexual and romantic lives, family-planning and reproductive strategies, and the long-term effects on our emotional and mental wellbeing.
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The Kinsey Scale
The Heterosexual-Homosexual Rating Scale, best known as the Kinsey Scale, was developed in 1948. The scale accounted for research findings that showed people did not fit into exclusive heterosexual or homosexual categories.
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Effects of Trauma
The Kinsey Institute's Traumatic Stress Research Consortium (KI-TSRC) is pioneering collaborative research with clinicians on long-term changes to physiology, physical health, and emotional wellbeing in the aftermath of trauma.
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Condom use
Condoms are a critical public health strategy for disease and pregnancy prevention. But their effectiveness hinges on more than consistent use. Men and women must also use them correctly. Kinsey Institute’s Condom Use Research Team (KI-CURT) studies the reasons condoms can fail.
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Relationship Dynamics and Social Life Study
Documenting changes in young women’s behaviors across many domains of social life during the transition to adulthood that may lead to undesired pregnancy, including intimate relationships, sexual behavior, and contraceptive use.
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Dual Control Model
Developed at the Kinsey Institute, this model of sexual response proposes our sexual decision-making is governed by competing drives of inhibition and excitation.
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Publications
Browse a list of the published studies, articles, books, and book chapters authored by faculty and staff of the Kinsey Institute.
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More Research
Developments in fields ranging from neuroscience and psychology to biology and gender studies inform questions asked by our scientists. Learn more about the wide scope of our research.
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Sex FAQs + statistics
Did you know sexual identity may differ from sexual attraction and sexual behavior? Information about these and other topics related to sexuality, gender, and relationships.
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Kinsey Institute publications
Looking for more? Consult this page for a comprehensive list of publications dating back to the era of Dr. Alfred Kinsey.
Research publicationsSupport Kinsey
Sexuality and intimate relationships are essential to our individual and collective well-being. Your support will help the Kinsey Institute advance research and education in the science of love, sexuality, gender, and sexual health, and give our diverse field of researchers the resources they need to make new discoveries.
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