Season Two Resources

  • Definitions of Power

    • "The History of Sexuality" by Michel Foucault (1976)
      Foucault explores how power is pervasive and relational, influencing individuals in subtle, often invisible ways. He emphasizes that power is exercised rather than possessed and is embedded in all aspects of society, shaping our thoughts and actions.
      Link

    • "Power: A Radical View" by Steven Lukes (1974)
      Lukes defines power as "the capacity to secure compliance" and suggests it is most effective when it doesn't need to be exercised. He introduces three dimensions of power: decision-making power, non-decision-making power, and ideological power, highlighting how power can shape beliefs and perceptions without overt action.
      Link

    Psychological and Sociological Theories on Power Dynamics

    • "Leadership, Followership, and Evolution" by Mark Van Vugt, Robert Hogan, and Robert B. Kaiser (2008)
      This paper discusses the evolutionary basis of social hierarchies, suggesting that ancestral groups with clear leadership structures thrived due to enhanced coordination and survival. It explores how the human preference for hierarchical organization may be rooted in evolutionary advantages.

    • "Self-Determination Theory and the Facilitation of Intrinsic Motivation, Social Development, and Well-Being" by Richard M. Ryan and Edward L. Deci (2000)
      This foundational paper outlines Self-Determination Theory (SDT), identifying autonomy, competence, and relatedness as basic psychological needs. It discusses how the fulfillment of these needs influences motivation and behavior, providing insight into why individuals may seek certain power dynamics.

    Examples of Power Dynamics in Real Life

    • "When Could Women Open a Bank Account?" by Adam (2023)
      This article discusses the historical context of women's financial rights, highlighting the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974, which allowed women in the U.S. to open bank accounts and obtain credit without a male cosigner, marking a significant shift in financial power dynamics.

    • "Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men" by Caroline Criado Perez (2019)
      This book examines how data bias affects women, introducing concepts like "Yentl Syndrome," where women's medical conditions are misdiagnosed or poorly treated unless they conform to male patterns. It sheds light on the systemic power imbalances in data collection and application.

    • "Amazon Scraps Secret AI Recruiting Tool That Showed Bias Against Women" by Jeffrey Dastin (2018)
      This article reports on Amazon's development and subsequent abandonment of an AI recruiting tool that exhibited bias against women, illustrating how technological systems can perpetuate existing power imbalances when trained on biased data.

    • "Being In-Between; Exploring Former Cult Members' Experiences of an Acculturation Process Using the Cultural Formulation Interview" by Hadding et al. (2023)
      This study examines the experiences of former cult members, discussing concepts like "Abdication Syndrome," where individuals relinquish personal responsibility to a leader, reflecting extreme power dynamics similar to non-consensual dominance and submission.

    • "Why Some People Hand Their Lives Over to Cults" by Steve Taylor (2023)
      This article explores psychological reasons behind individuals' attraction to cults, discussing how the desire to escape authority can lead to submission within cult dynamics, and drawing parallels to power structures in other areas of life.

  • Origins and Terminology

    • "Justine" by Marquis de Sade (1791)This novel by Marquis de Sade explores themes of power and violence, contributing to the term "sadism."Link

    • "Venus in Furs" by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch (1870)Sacher-Masoch's novella depicts fantasies of submission to a dominant partner, leading to the term "masochism."Link

    • "Psychopathia Sexualis" by Richard von Krafft-Ebing (1890)This work by Krafft-Ebing introduced the terms "sadism" and "masochism" to describe specific sexual behaviors.Link

    Prevalence of BDSM

    • "Sexual Behavior in the Human Female" by Alfred Kinsey (1953)Kinsey's research documented that 22% of men and 12% of women responded erotically to sadomasochistic scenarios.Link

    • "A Systematic Scoping Review of the Prevalence, Etiological, Psychological, and Interpersonal Factors Associated with BDSM" by Mark J. Griffiths (2019)This review indicates that BDSM-related fantasies are common, with 40-70% of individuals reporting such fantasies, and about 20% engaging in BDSM activities.Link"The Prevalence of BDSM in Finland and the Association between BDSM Interest and Personality Traits" by Kenneth S. Sandnabba et al. (2021)A study exploring the prevalence of BDSM interest and practice in a Finnish sample, finding that 38% were interested in BDSM activities.Link

    De-Pathologization and Mental Health Perspectives

    • "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)" by American Psychiatric Association (2013)The DSM-5 revised its stance on paraphilias, distinguishing consensual BDSM as a valid expression of sexuality when it does not cause distress or harm.

    • "De-Pathologization of Consensual BDSM" by Susan Wright (2018)This article discusses the removal of consensual BDSM from the category of mental disorders in the DSM-5 and its implications.Link

    Consent and Safety in BDSM

    • "Safe Sane Consensual: The Making of a Shibboleth" by David Stein (1999)An exploration of the "Safe, Sane, Consensual" credo within the BDSM community, discussing its origins and implications.Link

    • "Sexuality Beyond Consent" by Avgi Saketopoulou (2023)Saketopoulou introduces the concept of "limit consent," discussing the transformative potential of pushing boundaries within consensual BDSM practices.Link

    Roles and Dynamics in BDSM

    • "The New Bottoming Book" by Dossie Easton and Janet W. Hardy (2001)A guide exploring the experiences and responsibilities of the submissive role in BDSM, emphasizing communication and consent.Link

    • "The Topping Book" by Dossie Easton and Janet W. Hardy (1994)This book offers insights into the dominant role in BDSM, focusing on ethical practices, communication, and the psychology of topping.Link

    Aftercare and Emotional Well-being

    • "The New Bottoming Book" by Dossie Easton and Janet W. Hardy (2001)In addition to discussing the submissive role, this book delves into the importance of aftercare, providing guidance on emotional and physical support post-scene.Link

    Additional Readings

    • "Ties That Bind: The SM/Leather/Fetish Erotic Style Issues, Commentaries and Advice" by Guy Baldwin (1993)Baldwin provides psychological insights into BDSM relationships, focusing on the emotional connections within power dynamics.Link

    • "Public Sex: The Culture of Radical Sex" by Pat Califia (1994)Califia offers a queer, feminist perspective on BDSM, discussing its role as an empowering and consensual choice.Link

    • "Sensuous Magic: A Guide to S/M for Adventurous Couples" by Pat Califia (1996)This guide provides practical advice for couples interested in exploring BDSM, emphasizing safety, consent, and mutual satisfaction.Link

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