Overview
The Sex & Gender Lab in Cornell University’s Department of Human Development is primarily focused on the biological, psychological, and social/cultural processes underlying sexual and gender development and their interdependence among individuals of all sexualities and genders. Historically, the focus has been primarily on the diverse developmental trajectories, identity development, gender nonconformity, and peer/family relations of sexual minorities. We also explore the development and life course of individuals of all sexualities and genders. The emphasis is on individual flourishing and adjustment and not on pathology. Members of the Sex & Gender Lab use a variety of qualitative and quantitative methodologies, including in-depth interviews, Internet surveys, questionnaires, observations, and secondary data analysis.
Scope of Research
The current research interests in the sex and gender lab focus on:
- The psychological well-being of same-sex attracted youth and adults.
- The developmental processes of gender and sexual minorities.
- Sexual development among adolescents and young adults of all orientations.
Particular emphasis is given to exploring differential developmental trajectories, identity development, relations with family, and gender nonconformity.
Meet Our Director
Ritch C. Savin-Williams, Lab Director & Department Chair
Ritch C. Savin-Williams is professor and chair of Human Development at Cornell University. He received the Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, where he studied sex differences in dominance hierarchy formation at summer camp. His courses are cross-listed with Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Dr. Savin-Williams has written seven books on adolescent development. The latest, The New Gay Teenager (Harvard University Press, 2005) follows previous books on the lives of youth with same-sex attractions: “Mom, Dad. I’m Gay.” How Families Negotiate Coming Out” (American Psychological Association, 2001), ". . . And Then I Became Gay." Young Men's Stories (Routledge, 1998), and Gay and Lesbian Youth: Expressions of Identity (Hemisphere, 1990). With Kenneth M. Cohen, Dr. Savin-Williams co-edited an undergraduate textbook on sexual minorities: The Lives of Lesbians, Gays, and Bisexuals: Children to Adults (Harcourt Brace, 1996).
Dr. Savin-Williams is currently writing about the experiences of growing up with same-sex attractions, the resiliency and mental health of sexual-minority youth, and the sexual development of heterosexual youth. His research on differential developmental trajectories attempts to supplant our generic, stage models of identity development with a perspective that explores the similarities of sexual-minority youth with all youth and the ways in which sexual-minority adolescents vary among themselves and from heterosexual youth.
Dr. Savin-Williams is also a licensed clinical psychologist with a private practice specializing in identity, relationship, and family issues among sexual-minority young adults. He has served as an expert witness on same-sex marriage, gay adoption, and Boy Scout court cases and is on numerous professional review boards. He has served as a consultant for MTV, 20/20, the Oprah Winfrey Show, and CNN and his work has been cited in Newsweek, Time, Rolling Stone, Parent Magazine, Utne Reader, New York Magazine, Fortune, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, USA Today, and Chicago Sun Times. Dr. Savin-Williams received the 2001 Award for Distinguished Scientific Contribution, the 2005 Outstanding Book Award from Division 44 of the American Psychological Association for The New Gay Teenager, the 2006 APA Science Directorate’s Master Lecture in developmental psychology, and fellow status from the Association for Psychological Science. He has also written junior high school curriculum materials for the Unitarian Universalist Association, Beyond Pink and Blue: Exploring Our Stereotypes of Sexuality and Gender.
Contact: savin-williams@cornell.edu
Website: http://www.human.cornell.edu/che/bio.cfm?netid=rsw36
2005 Harvard University Press (now in paperback;
soon, Spanish)
Savin-Williams, R. C. (2008) Then and now: Recruitment, definition, diversity, and positive attributes of same-sex populations. Developmental Psychology, 44(1), 135-138.
http://psycnet.apa.org/index.cfm?fa=main.showContent&id=2007-19851-014&view=fulltext&format=pdf
Savin-Williams, R. C., & Ream, G. L. (2007). Prevalence and stability of sexual orientation components during adolescence and young adulthood. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 36, 385-394.
ABSTRACT—Analyses of three waves (6 years) of the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health data explored the prevalence and stability of sexual orientation and whether these two parameters varied by biologic sex, sexual orientation component (romantic attraction, sexual behavior, sexual identity), and degree of component. Prevalence rates for nonheterosexuality varied between 1 and 15% and depended on biologic sex (higher among females), sexual orientation component (highest for romantic attraction), degree of component (highest if “mostly heterosexual” was included with identity), and the interaction of these (highest for nonheterosexual identity among females). Although kappa statistics testing for temporal stability across waves were significant, they failed to reach acceptable levels of agreement and could be largely attributable to the stability of opposite-sex rather than same-sex attraction and behavior. Migration over time among sexual orientation components was in both directions, from opposite-sex attraction and behavior to same-sex attraction and behavior and vice versa. To assess sexual orientation, investigators should measure multiple components over time or abandon the general notion of sexual orientation and measure only those components relevant for the research question.
http://www.springerlink.com/content/5j12365317274508/fulltext.pdf
Savin-Williams, R. C. (2006). Who’s gay? Does it matter? Current Directions in Psychological Science, 15, 40-44.
ABSTRACT—To answer the question ‘‘Who’s gay?’’—and its logical follow-up, ‘‘Does it matter?’’—researchers usually define homosexuality with reference to one of three componentsor expressions of sexual orientation: sexual/romantic attraction or arousal, sexual behavior, and sexual identity. Yet, the three components are imperfectly correlated and inconsistently predictive of each other, resulting in dissimilar conclusions regarding the number and nature of homosexual populations. Depending on which component is assessed, the prevalence rate of homosexuality in the general population ranges from1 to 21%. When investigators define the homosexual population based on same-sex behavior or identity, they enhance the possibility of finding a biological basis for homosexuality and compromised mental health (suicidality).
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.0963-7214.2006.00403.x
Meet Our Graduate Students
Seth T. Pardo
M.A. 2008. Developmental Psychology, Cornell University
Certificate 2008. Feminist, Gender & Sexuality Studies, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
B.A. 2003. Psychology with Distinction, Duke University
Certificate 2003. Human Development, Duke University
Research: My current research focuses on transgender and gender nonconforming identity development. Specific emphasis is given to exploring the developmental pathways, contributers to resiliency, positive adjustment, and well-being.
My experimental research focuses on the role of identity in noncompensatory judgment and decision making, particularly in medical decision making contexts.
Career Plans: Research/Teaching.
Contact: seth.pardo@gmail.com
Website: http://people.cornell.edu/pages/tbp3
Snezana Vrangalova
B.A. 2005. University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Skopje, Macedonia
Research: I am generally interested in the human sexual development throughout the lifespan. More specifically, I explore how people develop non-traditional sexual desires, such as desires for non-committed (casual) sex or openly non-monogamous relationships, how they incorporate these interests into their identities and lifestyles, and how these are related to various aspects of people's wellbeing.
I am also interested in people's reasoning and intuitions regarding issues of sexual morality. This line of work will try to answer questions such as What sexual behaviors do people find morally wrong? Why? How this changes across the lifespan and what triggers these changes?
For more info about me and my work, please check out my personal website.
Career Plans: Research/Teaching
Contact: sv99@cornell.edu
Website: http://www.freewebs.com/vrangalova/
Ryan Mitchell
B.A. 2007. Psychology with Distinction, Boston University
Research: Broadly, I am interested in the development, friendships, and romantic relationships of sexual minority youth. Specifically, I am interested in online friendships and relationships, and adolescents' use of internet-based communication and online social networking.
Career Plans: Research/Teaching
Contact: rsm236@cornell.edu
Website: http://people.cornell.edu/pages/rsm236
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