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Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · 2d

Thank you!!

Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · 2d

Nous recherchons des professionnels de la #SantéMentale pour participer à une étude sur les clients ayant un intérêt sexuel pour les animaux. Si vous êtes un professionnel de santé mentale/étudiant dans un programme clinique, veuillez participer ! pacificu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_... #psych

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Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · 2d

We are looking for #MentalHealth professionals to participate in a study looking at clients with a sexual interest in animals. If you are a mental health care professional or a student in a clinical program, please consider participating! pacificu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_... #Psych #SocialWork

Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management

The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

pacificu.co1.qualtrics.com

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Reposted by Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg

Canadian Psychological Association @canadianpsychology.bsky.social · 29d

There is very little evidence that criminal profiling works at all. However, television has made many of us far more confident in the process than is likely warranted. Listen to Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg on the newest episode of Mind Full wherever you get your podcasts.

buff.ly/113s3RH

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Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · 14d

This exploratory study provides initial insights into a previously unexamined aspect of sexual expression. Full article: doi.org/10.1080/1941...
#SexualityResearch #HarmReduction #AcademicResearch

Exploring motivations for using fantasy-themed and animal-shaped sex toys: a qualitative analysis of Reddit posts

This exploratory study investigated motivations for using fantasy, monster, and animal-shaped sex toys through qualitative analysis of public online forum discussions. Despite growing commercial av...

doi.org

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Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · 14d

These results have important implications for clinicians, policymakers, and professionals dealing with human sexuality topics, particularly regarding ethical approaches to paraphilic interests.

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Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · 14d

The harm reduction theme parallels recent findings on sex doll ownership that challenge assumptions about increased risk behaviors. This suggests these products may serve beneficial purposes beyond mere novelty.

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Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · 14d

The findings extend previous research beyond conventional "fun" and "novelty" factors to include aesthetic considerations and harm-reduction frameworks. Notably, preference for non-anatomical designs aligns with emerging evidence that realistic features don't predict sex toy popularity.

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Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · 14d

3. Finding Pleasure in the Taboo: arousal from transgressive elements

4. Paraphilic Harm Reduction: ethical outlets for certain attractions without causing harm

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Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · 14d

We identified four key motivational themes through thematic analysis:

1. Seeking Novelty: pursuit of diverse tactile sensations
2. Valuing Aesthetics Over Verisimilitude: preference for artistic design over anatomical realism

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Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · 14d

Working with TJ Runyon from University of West Alabama, we analyzed Reddit forum discussions to understand why people choose these products. Despite their commercial availability, research on non-human sex toys is notably absent from scholarly literature.

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Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · 14d

Our new study "Exploring motivations for using fantasy-themed and animal-shaped sex toys" is now published in Psychology & Sexuality. This is the first study of motivations behind non-traditional sex toy use. #PsychSciSky #SexToys #FantasyCreatures
50 free copies: www.tandfonline.com/eprint/XSRU3...

A screenshot of the study described in the thread

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Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · Sep 7

👥 CONFÉRENCE
📌 La Zoophilie : Recherches Actuelles et Orientations Futures - Par Alexandra Zidenberg
📅 Mercredi 24 septembre 2025, de 11h45 à 13h
👉 La présentation sera en français
🔗 Détails et inscription : www.cicc-iccc.org/fr/evenement...

A poster with the details of the conference (same as in post)

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Reposted by Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg

Canadian Psychological Association @canadianpsychology.bsky.social · Sep 4

Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg from Université de Montréal joins Mind Full to talk about criminal profiling. How much does binge-watching TV enhance our ability to profile a suspect? Do true-crime podcasts skew our beliefs about the effectiveness of law enforcement?

buff.ly/gYZyWpM

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Reposted by Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg

Meghan Ford @meghanford.bsky.social · Jul 24

📢 Psychologists, psychological associates, trainees, and allies: Big changes proposed by CPBAO could erode psychologist registration standards in Ontario. I’ve partnered with Dr. Jenn Bossio to launch a petition in opposition. Sign & share: chng.it/6hKSNnJnkv #onpsych #ProtectOurProfession

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Reposted by Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg

Dr Madeleine Pownall @maddipow.bsky.social · Jul 10

My comment about open research and qualitative methods is out! I argue that open research needs to take seriously the notion that "rigour" looks different for different methods and can learn from qualitative traditions. It feels very apt to be at #QMIP2025 for this publication day rdcu.be/evEpk

A screenshot of the paper, titled "Bridging qualitative methods and open research"

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Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · Jul 9

💭 Makes you wonder - what other "expertise" do we think we've gained from TV that doesn't actually translate to real skills?

Congrats to Vivian on excellent work! 👏

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Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · Jul 9

🎯 Key takeaway: If criminal profiling is to be considered reliable in investigations, it must withstand external influences from media-induced biases and perceptions.

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Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · Jul 9

⚖️ Even more surprising - military training in analysis and risk assessment didn't provide any advantage in profiling tasks. Human judgment remains vulnerable to biases regardless of training.

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Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · Jul 9

🤔 Plot twist: Media consumption had NO significant impact on profiling accuracy. So much for the "CSI Effect" making us all armchair detectives...

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Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · Jul 9

📊 The study compared civilians vs military members (who receive decision-making training) on criminal profiling accuracy. Both groups averaged only 43.5% accuracy - basically a coin flip.

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Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · Jul 9

🎓 My student Vivian L. Mullins and I just published fascinating research in Crime Scene magazine examining whether binge-watching Criminal Minds actually makes you better at criminal profiling (spoiler: it doesn't)

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Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · Jul 9

🧵 THREAD: New research in Crime Scene from the Criminal Justice section of @canadianpsychology.bsky.social challenges what we think we know about crime TV and real-world #profiling skills
cpa.ca/docs/File/Se...
#Research #CriminalJustice #ForensicPsychology #MediaLiteracy #MilitaryPsychology

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Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · Jul 4

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📢 Thrilled to share that our paper "Understanding the Psychological Profile of Children and Youth Engaging in Sexual Contact with Non-Human Animals: A Scoping Review" has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Child Sexual Abuse 🧠📄 #ChildProtection #Research #Psychology #OpenScience

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Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · Jun 19

Presenting some pretty cool cat research at #ISAZ2025 😸

Dr. Zidenberg stands in front of a scientific poster

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