Historically, it was believed that socialization and familial experiences largely determined sexual orientation. However, research has shown that the family backgrounds and experiences of straight individuals and LGBTQ individuals are very similar, challenging this belief.

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A person's sexual orientation refers to their emotional, romantic, and/or erotic attraction toward other people, or the lack thereof. Sexual orientations often exist on a spectrum, and individuals may identify with various terms such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, or heterosexual, though some may find no specific term perfectly describes their feelings.

Sexual Orientation

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Intersectionality refers to how multiple systems of oppression experienced at the same time create a different experience of oppression than if experienced individually. These systems include sexism and racism, and this intersectionality can be observed in the Hyper-sexuality of Africans:

- African women have been portrayed as highly sexual and lusty
- African men have been portrayed as savage sexual predators
- African sexualities have been used to justify racism
- Since African women were portrayed as over-sexualized they were raped by slave owners; African men could be lynched because they were seen as dangerous predators

Intersectional Sexualities-TW

Social and cultural institutions exert social control over sexuality, this can be seen in many contexts:

- Women become sexually mature during puberty (which typically occurs from 12-16 years of age) but tend wait until 23 years old (on average) to have children
- Abstinence-only sex education is received at most schools
- Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a medical disorder but was initially understood as a social problem

The Social Control of Sexuality

Contains models pertaining to how people develop their sexual identities.

Models of Sexual Orientation/Identity Development

- sexual behavior
- sexual desires
- sexual identity

3 Dimensions of Sexual Orientation

Aromanticism describes a romantic orientation where an individual does not experience romantic attraction. This is distinct from asexuality, which is characterized by a lack of sexual attraction.

Aromanticism

Attraction can be categorized into different types, primarily romantic and sexual. Sexual attraction involves erotic interest, and its absence is termed asexuality. In contrast, romantic attraction involves emotional connection, and its absence is termed aromanticism. An individual's romantic and sexual orientations are not necessarily the same.

Comparison of Romantic and Sexual Attraction

Sexual orientations are not always fixed categories but often exist on a spectrum. This means that an individual's feelings of attraction may not fit neatly into a single defined term, reflecting the fluidity and diversity of human sexuality.

Sexual Orientation as a Spectrum

Sexual orientation is understood to be shaped by a combination of factors. While environmental influences like family background and socialization were once thought to be primary determinants, research has consistently refuted this idea. In contrast, a significant body of evidence points to an underlying biological component, supported by findings in genetics, brain structure, and basic physiology. This suggests that sexual orientation is, to a large extent, an innate trait with which individuals are born.

Biological and Environmental Influences on Sexual Orientation

A central finding in sexuality research is that sexual orientation is not a choice but a relatively stable personal characteristic that cannot be fundamentally changed. The scientific consensus is that attempts to alter sexual orientation, such as conversion therapy, are not only ineffective but also potentially harmful to individuals. This consensus refutes claims that sexual orientation can be changed through external interventions.

Sexual Orientation as an Unchangeable Trait

Sexual orientation and gender identity are frequently confused, but they represent different facets of a person's identity. Gender identity is one's internal sense of their own gender, whereas sexual orientation is a separate, though related, concept concerning one's attractions to others. Recognizing them as two distinct concepts is crucial to avoid common misconceptions.

Distinction Between Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Homophobia is an umbrella term for prejudice and discrimination directed at individuals based on their sexual orientation. It commonly targets non-heterosexual people, including those who are bisexual, lesbian, and gay. In the United States, homophobia is a widespread and often tolerated form of prejudice.

Homophobia

An individual identifies as a woman, is emotionally and romantically attracted to men, but does not experience sexual attraction to people of any gender. Which of the following statements best analyzes this individual's identity based on the provided information?

Some terms used to describe sexual orientations do not reference gender in their definitions. This reflects the idea that an individual's feelings of attraction can be understood and categorized without relying on gender as a defining factor.

Gender-Independent Descriptions of Sexual Orientations

Issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity are deeply influenced by sociocultural factors, meaning that the ways in which sexual orientation and gender are defined vary significantly from one culture to the next. For example, while the United States is historically a heteronormative society that views heterosexuality as the norm, other societies have different attitudes towards LGBTQ people. In some cultures, such as in parts of New Guinea, periods of exclusively same-sex sexual behavior are socially prescribed as a normal and necessary part of development and maturation for young boys to become men.

Sociocultural Influences on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Developed by Alfred Kinsey, the Kinsey scale is a continuum still widely utilized today to classify a person's sexual orientation based on their emotional, romantic, and erotic attractions.

Kinsey Scale

Sexual orientation encompasses a variety of identities based on the gender or sex a person is attracted to. Heterosexual (straight) individuals are attracted to people of a different gender or sex. Lesbian and gay individuals are attracted to people of the same gender or sex. Bisexual individuals experience attraction to their own gender as well as another gender. Pansexual individuals experience attraction regardless of sex, gender identity, or gender expression. Asexual individuals experience little or no sexual attraction.

Examples of Sexual Orientations

Research indicates that sexual orientation has a strong underlying biological component. This is supported by findings of gene-level contributions, which account for at least half of the variability in sexual orientation, as well as observed differences in brain structure, brain function, and basic body structure among individuals of different sexual orientations.

Biological Basis of Sexual Orientation

Socialization vs. Sexual Orientation

Studies have demonstrated that gene-level contributions are a significant factor in determining human sexual orientation. Research estimates that genes account for at least half of the variability observed in human sexual orientation.

Genetic Variability in Sexual Orientation

Scientific research has observed differences in brain structure and function, as well as basic body structure and function, among individuals with different sexual orientations. These findings provide additional support for a biological mechanism underlying sexual orientation.

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