One sociology teacher is trying to figure out how penis size affects several other aspects of a man’s life.
Alicia Walker is an assistant professor at Missouri State University, and she’s asking men to send her their dick pics. But don’t be alarmed, this is a professional request and for the sake of science.
"These are not sexy pictures," she said to the Springfield News-Leader. "These are clinical pictures."
Walker is conducting study on how penis size, and a man’s perception of his penis size, can affect other parts of his life like his physical health, mental health, sexual activity, condom usage, self-image, social interaction, and more.
"So far I'm hearing a lot of anxiety and a lot of low self-esteem related to size," she said before later adding, “It's serious. Some of them actually attempted suicide."
In order to keep track of her data, Walker is asking men if they will send her, and her student assistant, pictures of their penises. She wants the photos to make sure the men are correctly measuring themselves.
Walker hopes that at least 3,600 men (aged 22 or older) will fill out her online survey and upload the pictures. But, she also wants to make sure that the men feel comfortable doing so. That’s why she’s reaching out to men through hospitals, nightclubs, and an online portal.
"We are not recruiting locally. I don't want there to be anything dicey," she said, adding that she didn't want colleagues, friends and neighbors to feel pressure to participate. "You don't want there to be anything awkward."
As for Missouri State, they confirmed that they are aware of Walker’s research study, but firmly expressed that they are not funding it.
Missouri State also released the following statement:
"Academic freedom is a core component of a liberal arts university. As such, faculty members have broad discretion in their research choices. When students, staff and/or faculty conduct research at Missouri State University that involves human participants, they are required to submit an application to the Institutional Review Board."
Update 6/29/2018
Alicia Walker has announced the end of her study. More information can be read in this follow-up article here.