Ch. 13: Sexual Orientation

Question 1

homophobia

Answer 1

a strong, irrational fear of homosexuals (negative attitudes & reactions to homosexuals)- misuse of the word “phobia”

Question 2

what is a better psychological term than homophobia?

Answer 2

anti-gay prejudice

Question 3

% of hate crimes towards LGBs

Answer 3

14% of LGBs have been assaulted with a weapon because of sexual orientation

Question 4

Heteronormativity

Answer 4

the belief that heterosexuality is the norm

Question 5

how do kids end up in gay families?

Answer 5

• adoption
• assisted fertilization
• re-marriage (other relationships)

Question 6

what does the data show about kids growing up in gay families?

Answer 6

shows no differences in difficulties w/ peers, adjustment, etc. btwn hetero & homo households

Question 7

how does gay activism show up?

Answer 7

• began w/ stonewall protests, 1969
• national lgbtq taskforce
• lambda legal

Question 8

what percentage of men & women engaged in sex to orgasm at least 1 time with someone of their own sex

Answer 8

37% men

13% women

Question 9

typology of sexuality

Answer 9

sexuality is seen as a binary of hetero vs. homo

Question 10

kinsey’s continuum

Answer 10

0 6
0- exclusively hetero
1-5- spectrum of diff degrees of experience with each sexuality
6- exclusively homo

Question 11

3 components of sexual orientation

Answer 11

1) behavior
2) attraction
3) identity

they can be inconsistent with each other

ex: someone who has experienced attraction to members of their own gender but has not acted on it

Question 12

what % of men & women are exclusively hetero?

Answer 12

90%

Question 13

sexual fluidity

Answer 13

changes that occur over time in an individual’s sexual attractions, identity, or behavior

Question 14

diamond’s study

Answer 14

• young women (non-hetero) followed longitudinally
• over 8 years, individuals changes in all directions
• consistent with queer theory that sexual orientation is fluid

Question 15

sex orientation & mental health

Answer 15

population studies showed that LGBs have a higher rate of depression & suicide attempts (9.4% LGB vs 2% straight) b/c of more exposure to prejudice & violence, lack of support from family & friends, & minority stress model

Question 16

what is the bottom line about conversion therapy?

Answer 16

it dosen’t work & it’s harmful

Question 17

what are the biological theories for LGBs?

Answer 17

genetic factors, prenatal factors, brain factors & hormones lead to LGB

Question 18

Pillard & Beiley LGB genetic twin study findings

Answer 18

genetics play a role in LGBs, but there are other components that also play a role (no genetic pre-determination)

Question 19

Human Genome Project Findings for LGBs

Answer 19

the complexity of genetic influences signify that there won’t be one “gene for homosexuality”, although there are 3 genes that have been linked to homosexuality so far

Question 20

Prenatal theory for LGBs

Answer 20

theory that there’s a critical period in prenatal development, months 2-5 where extreme stress to the mother can result in homosexuality (seen in sheep & birds)– may show role of experience in developing the brain

Question 21

fraternal birth order effect

Answer 21

more older brothers stimulates mother’s body to produce antibodies against an antigen produced by the Y chromosome (H-Y antigen) which affects the brain development of male children causing an estimated 15-30% gay men (effect not found in lesbians)

Question 22

LeVay study

Answer 22

cells in the hypothalamus of gay men are more like the cells of heterosexual women than heterosexual men (this study is not reliable or valid, but it is famous)

Question 23

Hormone imbalance hypothesis for LGBs

Answer 23

theory that gay men are low on testosterone and lesbians are low on estrogen but studies show that there are no hormonal differences between straight and gay men (same for women)

Question 24

Innate bisexuality

Answer 24

babies are born with the ability to be attracted to whomever and sexual orientation is channeled by reinforcements & punishments (data don’t support this theory)