1. Jeanne Maurer & Lisa Anderson, and Faculty Advisor: Dr. Susan Wolfgram, Ph.D. University of Wisconsin-Stout Media Exposure & Sexual Experiences of College Students Research Question Are there gender differences in the role media plays in the sexual experiences of college students? 1) To examine the relationship between media exposure and the impact it has on the sexual experiences of male and female college students. 2) To develop a reliable survey instrument which measures the effects of media exposure on the sexual experiences of male and female college students. 3) To increase awareness among college students and educators about the effects media can have on undergraduate male and female college students’ sexual experiences. Gender Schema Theory assumes a relationship between an individual’s gender identity and their influential environment (Wharton, 2012). This theory predicts that as an individual develops a sense of gender identity, the environment and its surroundings contributes to that identity formation. Expectations can be formed through media in the early years of an individual’s life with the anticipation of these expectations proving true regarding sexual identity and experiences. Samson and Grabe (2012) supported that musical media had a substantial effect on sexual expectations according to societal norms. England et al. (2011) found that Disney prince characters displayed more feminist traits and became a more central focus in the storylines whereas princess characters became more masculine, stronger, and independent. Carpenter (2009) found each participant to have an ideal agenda for their virginity loss. Males interpreted their virginity more as a stigma, whereas females interpreted their virginity more as a gift. Independent T-Test Table MaleFemaletdfSig. EXTB3.72 (1.02) 4.48 (0.80) -4.1295.0*0.000 EXPB3.15 (1.09) 2.50 (1.01) 3.0295.0*0.003 Demographic Variables: GEN (Gender) MAR (Marital Status) AGE (Age) Independent Variable: GEN (Gender) Conclusion Participants: 97 college students at a west-central Wisconsin college, including 58 female and 39 male participants Research Design: non-random pilot study, cross-sectional, purposive sampling design Data collection Instrument: IRB approved, informed by literature and theory, implied consent. Self administered surveys with one independent variable, three demographic variables, ten closed ended statements based on the Likert Scale, and three open- ended statements. Procedure: Administered surveys to male and female college students in general education courses. Explained implied consent and confidentiality. Data Analysis Plan: Cleaned and coded surveys, analyzed data using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), cross- tabulations, mean-comparisons, independent t-tests, and a reliability analysis: Cronbach’s Alpha. Theoretical Framework Purpose Literature Review Method Results Implications “[Television] shows with casual sex make it seem less special and more of an everyday thing, and I believe differently” (Participant #55). EXTA (I base my expectations of sexual experiences on what I hear and see in the media) EXTB (My expectations of a sexual relationship involve being in a committed relationship) EXPA (I mirror my ideal sexual experiences on the exposure I have had to media) EXPB (Media has negatively impacted my views on my sexual experiences) AGNA (I base my sexuality on traditional gender roles that I have observed in the media) AGNB (I believe the timeline of sexual experiences displayed in the media is the age appropriate sexual timeline for myself) IDNA (What media I have been exposed to has helped to shape my sexual identity) IDNB (I feel sexually empowered when I satisfy my partner based on what I believe partner satisfaction looks like according to media representations) VIRA (I base/based my ideal virginity loss on what I have seen in the media) VIRB (My virginity loss experience reflected what I have seen in the media) Dependent Variables 1.We found support for our hypothesis in that male college students’ expectations of a sexual relationship are less likely to involve being in a committed relationship (EXTB), more so than their female counterparts. Males also responded stronger that media has negatively impacted their views regarding sexual experiences (EXPB), compared to their female counterparts. Reliability Analysis Cronbach’s Alpha: 0.716 Negative media exposure has the potential to cause long-term and harmful effects on individuals, although there are some individuals who claim not to be impacted by negative media exposure, but still recognize its effects. We hope that media exposure becomes a more positive educational tool for young adults, rather than a source for stigmatization of sexual experiences. Our research can be utilized by counselors, therapists, and life skill educators to assist clients in dealing with negative media exposure, emphasizing the importance of healthy relationships, as well as teaching how to interpret what they see and hear in the media. Our research would improve by using larger and random samples in order to generalize findings. Also, gathering data regarding the source of media that males and females utilize and feel impacted by the most.