Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg
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alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social
Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg
@alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social
1K followers 790 following 110 posts
She/Her/Elle | Assistant Professor at the University of Montreal | Forensic Psychology | @uSask, @OTfpsych and @LaurentianU alum | #FirstGen | Views are my own 🏳️‍🌈
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alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social
Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · 23d
Thank you!!
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alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social
Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · 24d
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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pacificu.co1.qualtrics.com
alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social
Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · 24d
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
canadianpsychology.bsky.social
Canadian Psychological Association @canadianpsychology.bsky.social · Sep 11
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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alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social
Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · Sep 26
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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alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social
Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · Sep 26
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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alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social
Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · Sep 26
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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alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social
Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · Sep 26
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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alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social
Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · Sep 26
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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alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social
Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · Sep 26
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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alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social
Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · Sep 26
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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alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social
Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · Sep 26
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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alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social
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
canadianpsychology.bsky.social
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
meghanford.bsky.social
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
maddipow.bsky.social
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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alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social
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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alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social
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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alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social
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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alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social
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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alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social
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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alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social
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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alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social
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
A screenshot of the article
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alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social
Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg @alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social · Jul 4
:

📢 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
A screenshot of an email displayed on a mobile phone. A warning banner in French from the Université de Montréal states: *"AVIS: Ce courriel provient de l'extérieur de l’Université de Montréal. Veuillez ne pas cliquer sur les liens ni ouvrir les fichiers joints si vous n’êtes pas certain(e) de la légitimité du courriel."* Below the banner is a message from Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business, congratulating Alexandra M Zidenberg on the acceptance of her article titled *"Understanding the Psychological Profile of Children and Youth Engaging in Sexual Contact with Non-Human Animals: A Scoping Review"* for publication in the *Journal of Child Sexual Abuse*.
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alexandrazidenberg.bsky.social
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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