'Penis size' research project by MSU professor seeks 3,600+ explicit photos

Alicia Walker is used to the snickers, the juvenile puns and raunchy jokes. But she is not fooling around with her latest research project.

In mid-June, the assistant professor of sociology at Missouri State University launched a study that explores how the size of a man's penis affects the rest of his life. And she's documenting the work with pictures.

"The kind of work I do is not for everybody," she said.

Walker said the project looks at how penis size — and, as importantly, a man's perception of his penis size — affects overall health, sexual activity, condom usage, self image, social interaction and mental health.

"So far I'm hearing a lot of anxiety and a lot of low self-esteem related to size," she said.

As part of the study, Walker hopes at least 3,600 men — from outside the Ozarks — will fill out an online survey and upload photos of their genitalia. The participants must be age 22 or older.

"These are not sexy pictures," she said. "These are clinical pictures."

She said photos are necessary to ensure men carefully follow the instructions when measuring their flaccid and erect penis.

More: Burrell expands mental health services by acquiring Springfield psychology firm

They are required to use the "bone press" method, used by doctors and researchers. It measures from the pubic bone to the tip of the penis.

Walker, with the help of a student who plans to enter the medical field, is soliciting men through an online portal, at hospitals and nightclubs.

"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."

One of the questions on the survey asks men if they feel their size is below average, average or above.

Walker said many of the initial participants have been under-selling their equipment.

"It's shocking," she said. "I can't tell you how many people submit measurements and believe they are average but they are above average."

So, what is average? Walker said the range varies but most studies agree that average length is 5 inches to 5.6 inches.

She said men who believe they have a small penis, even if it is not small, may feel less confident about pursuing relationships, engaging in a healthy sex life, using condoms, or going to the doctor.

Walker, hired by Missouri State in 2016, said a man's size can change his self-image and trigger depression and Body Dysmorphic Disorder. "It's serious. Some of them actually attempted suicide."

"A lot of men carry secret anxiety because of their penis size," she said.

Feelings of inadequacy are not helped by the prevalence of jokes regarding penis size.

"Penis size, in general, is the source of a lot of curiosity in American culture," she said.

Walker said body image issues can have serious consequences and believes that is worth studying.

"A lot of people are making fun of this," she said. "They think it's funny."

Separate from the surveys and penis photos, which will provide data for the research, Walker also plans to conduct as many interviews with men as possible. But, she does not have a specific number in mind.

"For interviews, I'm going to keep going until I hit saturation and start hearing the same things," she said.

Missouri State confirmed Walker was conducting the study, which is expected to wrap up this summer, and issued a 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."

The university stated Walker met the board's threshold for a research project. "It is a legitimate area of research and she is conforming to all of the guidelines of participant security."

Missouri State added the study is not funded by the university or any governmental institute.

More: Q&A with Clif Smart: Becoming president overnight and the thing he shouldn't have tweeted

Asked the estimated cost, Walker said the study has not yet cost any money. Walker said she hopes the study will generate articles for academic journals.

At Missouri State, Walker teaches Intro to Society, Sociology of Sexuality, Sociology of Gender, and Sociology of Courtship, Romance and Love.

Her past research has included marriage, intimate sexual relationships, social inequalities in education, and gender and sexuality.

She recently completed interviews for a study that evaluates individuals' perceptions and experiences with "Great sex."

"'Great sex' is a term we throw around but do we really know what it means?'" she said.