Terri Conley
Assistant Professor of Psychology and Women's Studies
Ph.D., Social Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles
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Contact Information:
1012 East Hall, 530 Church Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
734-615-3985
Email: conleyt@umich.edu
Scholarly Interests: Gender differences in sexuality, close relationships, LGBQ issues, sexual risk
Biography: My research lies at the intersection of sexuality, gender, and close relationships. The central goals of my research program involve understanding the reasons for gender differences in sexual behaviors and attitudes (e.g., casual sex, perception of sexual risk, sexual desire) and conditions under which those gender differences are eliminated or even reversed. I approach sexuality-related attitudes and behaviors as relational, instead of merely individual, processes.
Much of my research has investigated perceived risk for sexually transmitted infections (including risk perception among couples and symbolic meanings of condoms). Other projects have focused on LGBQ issues such as the development of sexual orientation, attitudes of LGBQ people toward heterosexuals, and relationship satisfaction among gay men and lesbians.
One current line of research compares monogamous and different types of non-monogamous individuals’ and couples’ relationship and sexual functioning. Another line addresses women’s sexual satisfaction across a variety of relationships, focusing on the sustenance or loss of desire over time. Other ongoing projects address gender differences in casual sex as well as aging and sexuality.
In addition to my main areas of research, I have interests in shared reality theory and the need for consensus in interpersonal relationships, ethnic minority groups’ perceptions of Whites, relationships between adult children and their parents, and parental gender preferences for adopted vs. biological children.
Publications:
Conley, T.D. & Rabinowitz, J.L. (2004). Scripts, close relationships and symbolic meanings of contraceptives. Personal Relationships, 11, 539-558.
Conley, T.D. & Collins, B.E. (2002). Gender, relationship status, and stereotyping about sexual risk. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 28, 1483-1494.
Conley, T.D., Calhoun, C., Evett. S.R. & Devine. P.G. (2001). Mistakes that heterosexual people make when trying to appear non-prejudiced: The view from gay people. Journal of Homosexuality, 42, 21-43.
Peplau, L.A., Spalding, L.R., Conley, T.D. & Veniegas, R. C. (1999). The development of sexual orientation in women. In R.C. Rosen (Ed.), Annual Review of Sex Research, Vol. 10 (pp. 70-99).
