She received her Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles. Her overarching research interests lie in stigma and sexuality. Dr. Conley examines reactions to and experiences of sexually stigmatized people, the effects of stigmatization on sexual experiences for women, and potential advantages of culturally stigmatized relationships. One current line of research compares monogamous and negotiated non-monogamous individuals' and couples' relationship satisfaction, sexual functioning and sexual health practices. Another addresses gender differences in preference for casual sex, focusing on the ways that anticipated pleasure in the encounter and perceived stigma associated with casual sex can explain these differences.