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STATEMENT OF PURPOSE Female breasts seem to remain a preoccupation with Americans. From breast enhancement to breast-feeding advocacy, much focus has been placed on the dual-natured sexuality and functionality of female breasts (Reichert, 2002). But is breast perception arranged as a dichotomy, in which the breast can only be viewed as sexual or functional? Mainstream American culture seems opposed to the notion that sexuality and functionality can be separate constructs, such that individuals can simultaneously consider their breasts as both sexual and functional. Such opposition can be seen in cultural trends, such as increased breast augmentation and lower breast feeding rates (Giles, 2005). The current research introduces a questionnaire to explore sexual and functional breast perception in relation to public and private body consciousness, self-reliance, sex role, body health, body image and sexuality. It is expected that individuals who are "schematic" in breast perception, meaning they perceive their breasts as sexual or functional but not both, will hold higher public body consciousness, lower self-reliance, more feminine sex role, lower body image and higher sexuality compared with those who are able to perceive breasts as both sexual and functional. STATEMENT OF RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Participants will be undergraduate females at Missouri Western, ages 18 or over. Individuals will receive a series of questionnaires in one of their classes. Informed consent will be required that describes the nature of the research. Individuals will not place their names on the questionnaires at any time. They will be informed that they do not have to answer any questions that they do not wish to answer and may review the questionnaires before agreeing to participate. Those completing the surveys may be awarded extra credit, but those wishing to not complete the surveys will receive an alternative project for extra credit. Students will be permitted to complete the questionnaires at home and return them in a subsequent class period. After returning the questionnaire packet with informed consent, participants will receive a written explanation of the research. The informed consent letter, questionnaires and explanation fo the research are included. ANTICIPATED RISKS AND BENEFITS Minimal risk is anticipated. Because the questions are sensitive, some participants may be embarrassed. In order to address this possiblity, participants are not required to answer any questions that they do not wish to answer. The questionnaires are anonymous. The nature of the research is explained in the Informed Consent and students can consider completing an alternative assignment if they feel they may be embarrassed. No other effects are anticipated. SUBJECT SELECTION The resarch is expected to be piloted with 40 participants. In fall semester, the research is expected to involve approximately 150 college-age female participants, 18+ years of age. CONFIDENTIALITY Confidentiality will be maintained by survey anonymity. All data will be kept in a locked office and only reviewed by the research and her student investigator. At no time will identifying information be placed on the students' questionnaire packet. PRIMARY SUPPORTING DOCUMENT Click for Word Document Extension Request on 04-26-2009 I would like to collect additional data using the same questionnaires. Extension Request on 04-27-2009 I would like to collect data for another semester Amendment on 10-28-2011 I would like to collect more data this semester. I have modified the Breast Perception survey to contain more items, have updated the Appearance Questionnaire, and have added more items onto the biographical questionnaire. Extension Request on 10-31-2011 I would like to collect more data this semester. I have expanded the BPS survey. Extension Request on 10-31-2011 Further data collection Amendment on 10-04-2012 Additional surveys were added including body anxiety and objectification. Questions were also added to the Breast perception survey. Extension Request on 10-04-2012 I will collect data until the end of Fall 2012 semester.