M.A., Ph.D., University of Michigan
B.S., M.S., Michigan State University

Eileen Zurbriggen studies social psychological processes related to the intersection or fusion of power and sexuality. Her research focuses both on behaviors in which power and sex are linked (such as rape and sexual abuse), as well as on psychological linkages between power and sex. Operating from a theoretical framework that stresses the constructed nature of most sexual thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, Zurbriggen analyzes the processes whereby dominance and submission become eroticized, as well as the societal and interpersonal consequences of that particular construction of sexuality. Her findings to date suggest that close psychological links between power and sex are problematic (at least for some people, under some conditions), because they are associated with the perpetration of sexually aggressive acts.

Recent projects include: a 2-year longitudinal study of college students' attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors related to power and sexuality, as well as messages they receive from parents, peers, and the media; studies on self-objectification, agency, and relationship satisfaction; and an APA task force report on the sexualization of girls.

Zurbriggen's methodological interests include the development of implicit techniques to measure psychological processes and constructs, and in statistical and computational models of social psychological processes such as sexual decision making.

Connections between power and sex; sexual aggression and abuse, sexual decision-making, sexuality and media, the sexualization of girls; motivation, especially power and affiliation-intimacy motives; authoritarianism.

Morgan, E. M., & Zurbriggen, E. L. (in press). Wanting sex and wanting to wait: Young adults' accounts of sexual messages from first significant dating partners. To appear in the November 2007 issue of Feminism and Psychology.

Yost, M. R., & Zurbriggen, E. L. (2006). Gender differences in the enactment of sociosexuality: An examination of implicit social motives, sexual fantasies, coercive sexual attitudes and aggressive sexual behavior. Journal of Sex Research, 43, 163-173.

Zurbriggen, E. L., & Morgan, E. M. (2006). Who wants to marry a millionaire? Reality dating television programs, attitudes toward sex, and sexual behaviors. Sex Roles, 54, 1-17.

Zurbriggen, E. L. (2005). Lies in a time of threat: Betrayal blindness and the 2004 U. S. presidential election. Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy, 5, 189-196.

Zurbriggen, E. L., & Yost, M. R. (2004). Power, desire, and pleasure in sexual fantasies. Journal of Sex Research, 41, 288-300.

Zurbriggen, E. L. (2000). Social motives and cognitive power/sex associations: Predictors of aggressive sexual behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 78, 559-581.