Kelly Cue Davis, Ph.D.

The overarching focus of my research concerns the influence of alcohol intoxication and other alcohol-related factors on negative sexual outcomes, including HIV and other STI-related sexual risk behavior, sexual aggression, sexual victimization, and sexual dysfunction. I am particularly interested in the mediating cognitive, emotional, and psychophysiological factors that underlie the relationships between alcohol and sexual behavior. My research experiments typically involve the use of alcohol administration protocols, in conjunction with laboratory analogues, to compare the sexual decision-making processes of sober and intoxicated participants. Much of my work also emphasizes the importance of gender roles and norms in alcohol-involved sexual behavior.

My interest in psychology began during my undergraduate career at Trinity University. While there I worked with Dr. Mary Dozier investigating the role of adult attachment in therapeutic relationships with seriously mentally ill clients. I then began my graduate career at the University of Washington under the mentorship of Dr. William George, studying the influence of alcohol on sexual perceptions and sexual assault risk appraisals. This work culminated in my dissertation entitled Women’s Perceptions of and Responses to Sexual Aggression: The Alcohol Myopia and Anxiolysis-Disinhibition Theories. After completing my clinical internship at the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, I worked as a statistical analyst for Colorado State University. Currently, I am supported by a Supplement to Promote Re-entry into Biomedical and Behavioral Research Careers through the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Representative articles:

Davis, K.C., Norris, J., George, W.H., Martell, J., & Heiman, J.R. (in press). Men’s likelihood of sexual aggression: The influence of alcohol, sexual arousal, and violent pornography. Aggressive Behavior.

Davis, K.C., Norris, J., George, W.H., Martell, J., & Heiman, J.R. (in press). Rape myth congruent beliefs in women resulting from exposure to violent pornography: Effects of alcohol and sexual arousal. Journal of Interpersonal Violence.

Davis, K.C., George, W.H., & Norris, J. (2004). Women’s responses to unwanted sexual advances: The role of alcohol and inhibition conflict. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 28, 333-343. (pdf.)

Norris, J., Davis, K.C., George, W.H., Martell, J., & Heiman, J.R. (2004). Victim’s response and alcohol-related factors as determinants of women’s responses to violent pornography. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 28, 59-69. (pdf.)