Impact of a human sexuality program on sex related knowledge, attitudes, behavior and guilt of college undergraduates.

It was found that demographically those seeking admission to the course did not differ from the student body as a whole and those who completed the course gained significantly more in knowledge than either group of controls.

Abstract

The effect of a human sexuality course which combined lectures with small group discussions on sex-related knowledge behavior and 3 measurements of guilt was examined. 144 male and 131 females enrolled in the 1-semester course were given a series of tests before and after the course; 2 sets of controls were 96 students who had tried to enroll in the course but were not admitted because of lack of room and 50 students drawn from the undergraduate population at large. It was found that demographically those seeking admission to the course did not differ from the student body as a whole. Those who completed the course gained significantly more in knowledge than either group of controls. Data concerning sexual attitudes is contradictory indicating the complex nature of attitude analysis. What change was measured was moderate and more the result of increased knowledge. The only significant difference the course made was in making persons more accepting of homosexuality and masturbation. This belies the fears of those who feel such courses will increase promiscuity. Course participants did not change their sexual behavior significantly. In the areas of hostile guilt and morality-conscience-guilt the course had no impact whatsoever. In the area of sex-guilt both the course participants and those who sought admission but were denied showed decrease over the semester. Such courses can increase knowledge and lead to lessened guilt in areas surrounded by myth such as masturbation or homosexuality but do not change a basic sexual attitude.