Episode 330: The Science of Kink

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Sep 24, 2024

Mark McCormack, a Professor of Sociology at Aston University with a rich background in gender and sexuality research, joins to delve into the complexities of kink. They explore what it means to have a kink orientation and discuss the five components that define it. McCormack emphasizes the importance of viewing kink along a continuum rather than in a binary way. The conversation also touches on societal stigma, the significance of self-exploration through kink quizzes, and the normalization of sexual fantasies, highlighting the shared nature of diverse interests.

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INSIGHT

Kink Orientation Complexity

Kink involves multiple dimensions: fantasy, practice, and identity, varying across individuals.
A kink orientation reflects this complexity, capturing diverse experiences beyond single aspects.

INSIGHT

Kink Orientation vs Sexual Orientation

Kink orientation isn't exactly a sexual orientation but shares similarities for some individuals.
Diverse perspectives on kink reflect broad human sexual diversity and context-dependent framing.

INSIGHT

Broadening Kink Research Scope

Existing kink research often focuses on those with a kink social identity, missing casual practitioners.
The new Kink Orientation Scale captures a broader spectrum of kink engagement, including those outside traditional subcultures.

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What does it really mean to be “kinky?” It can be difficult to say because kink is a subjective term that means different things to different people. Kink can also be a fantasy, a practice, or even an identity. It’s time for a new way of thinking about kink that can capture all of this complexity. In today’s show, we’re going to explore the brand new Kink Orientation Scale, a scientific quiz designed to measure how kinky a given person is in a comprehensive way.

My guest is Mark McCormack, a Professor of Sociology at Aston University. His research examines how social trends related to gender and sexuality map onto everyday experiences of individuals. To date, he has published more than 80 scientific works.

Some of the specific topics we discuss in this episode include:

What does it mean to have a “kink orientation?”
Is kink itself a sexual orientation?
What are the five different components that make up a kink orientation?
Why is it important to think about kink as running along a continuum instead of being a binary thing (i.e., kinky vs. vanilla)?

You can click here to take the Kink Orientation Quiz for yourself.

Got a sex question? Send me a podcast voicemail to have it answered on a future episode at speakpipe.com/sexandpsychology.

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The Kinsey Institute at Indiana University has been a trusted source for scientific knowledge and research on critical issues in sexuality, gender, and reproduction for over 75 years. Learn about more research and upcoming events at kinseyinstitute.org or look for them on social media @kinseyinstitute.

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