Lisa M. Diamond

Last updated
Lisa M. Diamond
NationalityAmerican
Alma mater
Occupation University professor
Employer University of Utah
Known for Sexual fluidity

Lisa M. Diamond is an American psychologist and feminist. She is a professor of developmental psychology, health psychology and gender studies at the University of Utah. [1] Her research focuses on sexual orientation development, sexual identity, and bonding. [2]

Contents

She is best known for her 2008 book, Sexual Fluidity: Understanding Women's Love and Desire. [3] In this book, she discusses the fluidity of female sexuality, based on her study of 100 non-heterosexual women over a period of 10 years. [4]

Early life

Diamond became interested in feminism after Betty Friedan gave a talk at her high school. [3] She studied feminist theory at the University of Chicago and joined the board of the Chicago National Organization for Women. [3] [5] [6] During this time, she came out as a lesbian and decided to pursue research into same-sex sexuality instead of activism. [3]

In 1993, she received her B.A. in psychology from the University of Chicago. [3] She then started graduate work with Ritch Savin-Williams at Cornell University, [7] where she earned her M.A. in 1996, and her Ph.D. in 1999, both in Human Development. [3]

Work

At the University of Utah, Diamond was an assistant professor from 1999 to 2005, and an associate professor from 2005 to 2012. She became a professor of psychology and gender studies in 2012. [2] She serves on the editorial boards of Developmental Psychology , Archives of Sexual Behavior , and various other journals. [2] Her research focuses on same-sex sexuality, adolescent females, and human bonding. [2] [3]

In her studies of sexual fluidity, she has found that some women report variability in their sexual orientation identity. Diamond is clear that sexual orientation is not chosen, but that identity can shift non-voluntarily for some women. [3] [8] The sexually fluid women she studied did not "experience those changes as willful", and some even resist them. [8] Diamond says that conversion therapy cannot remove same-sex attraction. [8]

Describing herself as a feminist scientist, Diamond says "there are a lot of scientists who just cling to the scientific method and believe they are totally objective and I think they are full of bunk. But, I have met a lot of feminists who say there is not a way to collect data without being oppressive, that data has no meaning, the world is socially constructed and I think that is bunk too." [3] Diamond has also researched attachment theory as the basis for love and sexual orientation, and the association between relationships and psychobiological health. [3]

Diamond was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award by the APA Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns in 2011; the Distinguished Book Award by the International Association of Relationship Research (IARR) in 2010; and the Distinguished Book Award for her book Sexual Fluidity by the American Psychological Association, Division 44 in 2009. [2] [9] [ better source needed ]Sexual Fluidity was also a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award for Bisexual Literature. [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Romantic orientation</span> Classification of a persons romantic attraction towards others

A person's romantic orientation, also called affectional orientation, is the classification of the sex or gender with which a person experiences romantic attraction towards or is likely to have a romantic relationship with. The term is used alongside the term "sexual orientation", as well as being used alternatively to it, based upon the perspective that sexual attraction is only a single component of a larger concept.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heterosexuality</span> Attraction between people of the opposite sex or gender

Heterosexuality is romantic attraction, sexual attraction or sexual behavior between people of the opposite sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, heterosexuality is "an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions" to people of the opposite sex; it "also refers to a person's sense of identity based on those attractions, related behaviors, and membership in a community of others who share those attractions." Someone who is heterosexual is commonly referred to as straight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sexual orientation</span> Pattern of romantic or sexual attraction

Sexual orientation is an enduring pattern of romantic or sexual attraction to persons of the opposite sex or gender, the same sex or gender, or to both sexes or more than one gender. These attractions are generally subsumed under heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality, while asexuality is sometimes identified as the fourth category.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pansexuality</span> Sexual or romantic attraction to people regardless of sex or gender identity

Pansexuality is sexual, romantic, or emotional attraction towards people of all genders, or regardless of their sex or gender identity. Pansexual people might refer to themselves as gender-blind, asserting that gender and sex are not determining factors in their romantic or sexual attraction to others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Biphobia</span> Aversion to bisexual people

Biphobia is aversion toward bisexuality or people who are identified or perceived as being bisexual. Similarly to homophobia, it refers to hatred and prejudice specifically against those identified or perceived as being in the bisexual community. It can take the form of denial that bisexuality is a genuine sexual orientation, or of negative stereotypes about people who are bisexual. Other forms of biphobia include bisexual erasure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Homosexuality and psychology</span> Homosexuality as viewed by the field of psychology

The field of psychology has extensively studied homosexuality as a human sexual orientation. The American Psychiatric Association listed homosexuality in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in 1952, but that classification came under scrutiny in research funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. That research and subsequent studies consistently failed to produce any empirical or scientific basis for regarding homosexuality as anything other than a natural and normal sexual orientation that is a healthy and positive expression of human sexuality. As a result of this scientific research, the American Psychiatric Association declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder in 1973. Upon a thorough review of the scientific data, the American Psychological Association followed in 1975 and also called on all mental health professionals to take the lead in "removing the stigma of mental illness that has long been associated" with homosexuality. In 1993, the National Association of Social Workers adopted the same position as the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association, in recognition of scientific evidence. The World Health Organization, which listed homosexuality in the ICD-9 in 1977, removed homosexuality from the ICD-10 which was endorsed by the 43rd World Health Assembly on 17 May 1990.

Sexual identity is how one thinks of oneself in terms of to whom one is romantically and/or sexually attracted. Sexual identity may also refer to sexual orientation identity, which is when people identify or dis-identify with a sexual orientation or choose not to identify with a sexual orientation. Sexual identity and sexual behavior are closely related to sexual orientation, but they are distinguished, with identity referring to an individual's conception of themselves, behavior referring to actual sexual acts performed by the individual, and sexual orientation referring to romantic or sexual attractions toward persons of the opposite sex or gender, the same sex or gender, to both sexes or more than one gender, or to no one.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J. Michael Bailey</span> American psychologist (born 1957)

John Michael Bailey is an American psychologist, behavioural geneticist, and professor at Northwestern University best known for his work on the etiology of sexual orientation. He maintains that sexual orientation is heavily influenced by biology and male homosexuality is most likely inborn. Bailey wrote The Man Who Would Be Queen, a book intended to explain the biology of male sexual orientation and gender to a general audience, focusing on gender nonconforming boys, gay men and transgender women. The book elicited reactions ranging from strong criticism for its coverage of transsexuals, to a nomination for an award, later retracted, from the Lambda Literary Foundation, an organization that promotes gay literature.

Sexual orientation discrimination is discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or sexual behaviour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Situational sexual behavior</span> Sexual behavior that differs from that which the person normally exhibits

Situational sexual behavior differs from that which the person normally exhibits, due to a social environment that in some way permits, encourages, or compels the behavior in question. This can include situations where a person's preferred sexual behavior may not be possible, so rather than refraining from sexual activity completely, they may engage in substitute sexual behaviors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Questioning (sexuality and gender)</span> Process of self-exploration

The questioning of one's sexual orientation, sexual identity, gender, or all three is a process of exploration by people who may be unsure, still exploring, or concerned about applying a social label to themselves for various reasons. The letter "Q" is sometimes added to the end of the acronym LGBT ; the "Q" can refer to either queer or questioning.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bisexuality</span> Sexual attraction to people of either sex

Bisexuality is a romantic or sexual attraction or behavior toward both males and females, or to more than one gender. It may also be defined to include romantic or sexual attraction to people regardless of their sex or gender identity, which is also known as pansexuality.

Sexual fluidity is one or more changes in sexuality or sexual identity. Sexual orientation is stable and unchanging for the vast majority of people, but some research indicates that some people may experience change in their sexual orientation, and this is slightly more likely for women than for men. There is no scientific evidence that sexual orientation can be changed through psychotherapy. Sexual identity can change throughout an individual's life, and may or may not align with biological sex, sexual behavior or actual sexual orientation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Compulsory heterosexuality</span> Social vision of heterosexuality as the natural inclination or obligation

Compulsory heterosexuality, often shortened to comphet, is the theory that heterosexuality is assumed and enforced upon people by a patriarchal and heteronormative society. The term was popularized by Adrienne Rich in her 1980 essay titled "Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence". According to Rich, social science and literature perpetuate the societal belief that women in every culture are believed to have an innate preference for romantic and sexual relationships with men. She argues that women's sexuality towards men is not always natural but is societally ingrained and scripted into women. Comphet creates the belief that society is overwhelmingly heterosexual and delegitimizes queer identities. As a result, it perpetuates homophobia and legal inequity for the LGBTQ+ community.

Erotic plasticity is the degree to which one's sex drive can be changed by cultural or social factors. Someone has "high erotic plasticity" when their sex drives can be affected by situational, social and cultural influences, whereas someone with "low erotic plasticity" has a sex drive that is relatively rigid and unsusceptible to change. Since social psychologist Roy Baumeister coined the term in 2000, only two studies directly assessing erotic plasticity have been completed as of 2010.

Feminist views on sexuality widely vary. Many feminists, particularly radical feminists, are highly critical of what they see as sexual objectification and sexual exploitation in the media and society. Radical feminists are often opposed to the sex industry, including opposition to prostitution and pornography. Other feminists define themselves as sex-positive feminists and believe that a wide variety of expressions of female sexuality can be empowering to women when they are freely chosen. Some feminists support efforts to reform the sex industry to become less sexist, such as the feminist pornography movement.

Arlene Istar Lev is a North American clinical social worker, family therapist, and educator. She is an independent scholar, who has lectured internationally on topics related to sexual orientation and gender identity, sexuality, and LGBTQ families.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meredith Chivers</span> Canadian sexologist

Meredith L. Chivers is a Canadian sexologist and clinical psychologist noted for her research on female sexuality, sexual orientation, paraphilias, sex differences, gender identity, and the physiology of sexual arousal. She is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

Margaret Rosario is a clinical psychologist who studies the development of sexual identity and health disparities associated with sexual orientation. Rosario was President of the American Psychological Association (APA) Division 44, the Society for Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, from 2017-2018. Rosario received the APA Award for Distinguished Contributions to Ethnic Minority Issues in 2008. and the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Split attraction model</span> Discordance between sexual and romantic attraction

The Split Attraction Model (SAM) is a model in psychology that distinguishes between a person's romantic and sexual attraction allowing that the two can be different from each other.

References

  1. "Lisa Diamond, Ph.D." The University of Utah.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Diamond, L. M. "Curriculum Vita" (PDF). Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Radtke, Sarah (2012). "Profile: Lisa Diamond". Psychology's Feminist Voices. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  4. "Sexual Fluidity — Lisa M. Diamond". www.hup.harvard.edu. Retrieved 2022-11-07.
  5. Diamond, Lisa M.; Granek, Leeat (6 August 2011). "Interview with Lisa M. Diamond" (PDF). Psychology's Feminist Voices Oral History Project. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  6. Barringer, Felicity (1992-01-12). "NOW Reasserts Its Role as Outsider". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2022-11-07.
  7. Vaughn-Blount, Kelli (2008). "Champions of Psychology: Lisa Diamond". Observer. 21 (2).
  8. 1 2 3 "Dr. Lisa Diamond". LGBT Science. Truth Wins Out. 29 October 2013. Archived from the original on 23 June 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  9. "#PrideMonth: 8 LGBTQIA Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) Making Big International Impact". SaigonBiz - Forum of Saigon businessman (in Vietnamese). 2022-06-29. Retrieved 2022-11-07.
  10. Staff (2009-05-08). "Utahns Nominated for Queer Book Award". QSaltLake Magazine. Retrieved 2022-11-07.