THE EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO DIFFERENT SOURCES OF SEXUAL INFORMATION ONSEXUAL-BEHAVIOR - COMPARING A SEX-EXPERT SYSTEM TO OTHER EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL

Sexpert, an expert computer program designed to counsel couples on the ir sexual relationships, was evaluated. Eighty-one heterosexual couple s were assigned to one of three experimental manipulations (Sexpert, v ideo, and self-help book) or a control condition. Daily sexual behavio r monitoring forms and structured retrospective reports served as meas ures of baseline and postmanipulation behavior. Daily monitoring of se xual behavior failed to show significant changes occurring after the m anipulations. However, retrospective data concerning the postmanipulat ion period show that compared with the control, the Sexpert, video, an d book manipulations had a significant positive impact on couples' sex ual behavior, communication, and learning about sexuality. Sexpert, vi deo, and book were similarly evaluated, except that Sexpert was evalua ted as more engaging. In addition, subjects retrospectively reported p ositive changes in communication, relationship satisfaction, and sexua l behavior during the baseline period. This suggests that daily behavi oral monitoring is intrusive and may confound the variables measured b y it.