The Kinsey Institute - Staff - Rupp [About the Institute]

Heather Rupp

Assistant Scientist

The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction

Morrison Hall 313
Indiana University
Bloomington, IN 47405
Phone: (812) 855-7686
E-mail: hrupp@indiana.edu
Download CV (PDF)

Education

Ph.D., Emory University, 2006
M.A., Emory University, 2003

Research Statement

Dr. Rupp's research interests include the cognitive processing of sexual stimuli and the hormonal modulation of sexual behavior. At the Kinsey Institute, she would like to further investigate the hypotheses that hormones act centrally in the brain to alter the processing and perception of sexual stimuli, including potential sexual partners.

Research Interests

Cognitive processing of sexual stimuli
Sex differences in functional neuroanatomy
Sex differences in behavioral neuroendocrinological factors influencing sexual arousal
Hormonal modulation of sexual behavior
Cross-species analogies in sexual behavior and underlying neuroendocrinology

More About Dr. Rupp's Research

When the 'Baby Blues' Linger - Investigating Postpartum Depression (Kinsey Today newsletter article, Spring 2009)

Hormones and brain activity: Kinsey Institute study sheds light on facial preferences (IU Press Release, November 2008)

Men and Women Look At Sexual Photographs Differently (Kinsey Today newsletter article, Spring 2007)

Selected Publications

Rupp, H.A., & Wallen, K. (In press). Partner Status Influences Women’s Interest in the Opposite-Sex. Human Nature, DOI: 10.1007/s12110-009-9056-6. pdf

Rupp, H.A., James, T.W., Ketterson, E.D., Sengelaub, D.R., Janssen, E. & Heiman, J.R. (2009.) Women's neural activation in response to masculinized versus feminized male faces: mediation by hormones and psychosexual factors Evolution and Human Behavior. 30 (1):1-10. pdf

Rupp, H.A., James, T.W., Ketterson, E.D., Sengelaub, D.R., Janssen, E. & Heiman, J.R. (2009.) The Role of the Anterior Cingulate Cortex in Women’s Sexual Decision Making. Neuroscience Letters. 449:42-47. pdf

Rupp, H.A., & Wallen, K. (2008). Sex differences in response to visual sexual stimuli: A review. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 37 (2):206-218.

Rupp, H.A., & Wallen, K. (2007). Relationship between testosterone and interest in sexual stimuli: The effect of experience. Hormones and Behavior, 52 (5):581-589.

Rupp, H.A., & Wallen, K. (2007). Sex differences in viewing sexual stimuli: An eye tracking study in men and women. Hormones and Behavior, 51 (5):524-533.