Comparison Essay

A pattern emerges where the scholarly literature exploring this topic is largely focused on males. Reason being is that it appears that males are the sex who are predominantly homosexual in their orientation (LeVay & Baldwin, 2012). However, the sensitivity within the discourse of sexual orientation arises when it is debated upon whether one 's sexual preference is innate at birth, hence a force of nature or biology, or if it is a result of culture, nurture or environmental factors (Emmanuele et al., 2010). Furthermore, an experimental design will be proposed to further examine this topic. Comparing the three chosen studies, it is evident that a biological and endocrinological perspective does account for sexual orientation (Kraemer et al., 2006; Manning et al., 2007; Miller et al., 2008). Of the studies that currently exist on this topic, data shows that prenatal testosterone levels are indicative of sexual orientation (Kraemer et al., 2006; Manning et al., 2007; Miller et al., 2008). This paper addresses a topic that is relevant in today 's society; a topic that has, for the most part, been written off as having any scientific roots (Emmanuele et al., 2010). This paper counters that belief and in reading this essay, it will be evident that biology and endocrinology have a much stronger influence on sexual orientation than previously thought.

Homosexuality is defined or characterized as attraction towards the same gender either male or female. It came from the Greek language, where “homo” means the same or similar, hence referring to the attraction between two beings of the same sex. Homosexuality is also referred as a clinical term. Most male homosexuals generally prefer to be called "gay men" and most homosexual women generally prefer to be called "lesbians." Homosexuality is one of the three main categories of sexual orientation, alongside bisexual and heterosexual. The longstanding consensus of the behavioral and social sciences and the health and mental health professions is that homosexuality is an example of normal and positive variation in human sexual

Sexual orientation refers to the emotional, sexual, and romantic attraction to men, women, or both genders. It also refers to a person’s sense of identity based on those attractions. In the early years, to be labeled as a gay, lesbian, or bisexual was known to be a mental illness. In recent years, it has been determined that it is a normal aspect of sexuality. Determining how one has this specific trait is up in the air. With homosexuality growing, sexual orientation has been a major discussion in the world throughout the last decade. Some have argued that it has to do with genetics, and some say that it has to do with the environment. This is known as the long-term controversy of nature versus nurture. The controversy discusses which side of the argument affects our behavior, intelligence, development, and personality. Scientists have been investigating and experimenting to find the answer to this debate. There has not been evidence that says one side is 100% the answer.

“Our sexual identity, that label we embrace to let others know whether we prefer people of the same gender, of different genders, or both (e.g., gay, lesbian, heterosexual, bisexual, queer), does not always necessarily reflect who we are attracted to, who we fantasize about, and who we have sex with.” (Vrangalova &

In the article “What is Sexual Orientation and Do Women Have One” by author M. Bailey elaborates upon many different efforts to identify and answer this question. However, after reading the article it seems to still be a question that cannot be solidified with just one simple answer. Bailey points out that scientists and psychologists have tested batches of men and women with the orientations of heterosexual, homosexual and bisexual to assess their sexual arousal to specific and random stimuli. In the male trials, it was found that most men are driven by physical stimulation to the genitals and their sexual orientation is derived from a strong sexual arousal or attraction. When tested, homosexual men tended to prefer men to obtain their sexual arousal and heterosexual men gravitate to women, accompanied with physical results such as penile erections.

“Sexual Orientation The preferred term used when referring to an individuals’ physical and/or emotional attraction to the same and/or opposite gender. Sexual orientation describes how people locate themselves on the spectrum of attraction. Someone who feels a significant attraction to both sexes is said to

It is important to understand and reference correctly the different terms that people use to identify their orientation. The chapter provided excellent clarity for the terminology used to classify sexual orientation, a person’s emotional and sexual attractions, relationships, self-identity, and behavior (346). Here are a few of the terms used, heterosexuality (attraction to those of the opposite sex); bisexuality

While the expressions "sexual orientation" and "sex" are frequently utilized conversely, the two words have altogether distinctive definitions. One could contend that sex alludes to organic essentialism and the thought that we are who we are a result of our hereditary material. Then again, sex is connected with the social constructionist hypothesis, which contends that the way we are is reliant on our race, class, and sexuality. Since every individual is distinctive in their race, class, and sexuality, their sex turns out to be socially built. To contend that sex is not socially built would be to say that all individuals, for instance, that are naturally female have the same objectives.

Human psychosexual development is the complex learning in today’s society. What is the meaning of sexual orientation? Obviously, it has to be related to sex. It is a way for people to choose their partners to have sex with. Most of people would say it means either interested in men or are interested in women. This is called sexual orientation. In the book Gay Straight, and the reason why written by Simon LeVay, the first chapter of talker about what sexual orientation is, “We usually judge sexual orientation based on a person sexual attraction to men and to women- that is , on her or his feelings –as expressed in answers to direct questions such as “ Are you sexually attracted to men, to women, or to both men and women?” (Page 2) The question doesn’t refer to the interviewees’ feelings of sexual attraction at the very instant of being asked, of course but to their tendency or predisposition to experience such feelings over some extended period of time, perhaps over their entire adult life. In this paragraph, Simone has described how sexual orientation formations create in a sexual orientation. Sexuality refers to a person based on sexual partner sex appeal on the basis of gender and sex want to, Heterosexual sexual orientation to the opposite sex, Gay to same-sex sexual orientation, Bisexual sexual orientation partner selection and can be either gay can also be members of

Normal and abnormal sexuality can be viewed as the same simply due its involvement with a person’s biology. Both terms take a close look at the biological factors that contribute to a person’s cognitive and physiological process. For instance, a person with a sexual orientation identity can potentially involve the challenging process of a person coming out. Research supports that many times in the coming out process is explicitly linked to the person’s biological inheritance/preference. The coming out process is when a person embraces and recognizes a non-heterosexual identity. For others, the coming out process involves a person revealing their non-heterosexual identity. On the other hand, female sexual arousal disorder focuses on a person’s

Sexual orientation is something that people hear about daily in the news, media, and daily lives of others, especially when it comes to the field of psychology and the nature versus nurture debate. For being as commonly debated and discussed as it is, there are many questions that come along with it: what is sexual orientation, how do people know their sexual orientation, what causes homosexuality, is it normal, is it possible to change, and can wanting LGBT, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, youth to change lead to suicide?

Where does sexual orientation come from? Sexual orientation is about who you are attracted to and want to have an intimate relationship with. This involves automatic physiological and emotional responses, and is not the result of conscious choices. Sexual orientation appears to be determined early in life, perhaps from birth. Each of us are born with a biological predisposition to orient in a certain way, heterosexual, bisexual or homosexual. Within time this sexual ordination is influenced by social and cultural forces. Being straight, gay, or bisexual is not something that a person can’t choose or that can’t be changed.

The world has come very far with all the dramatic changes we have faced over the years. Wouldn’t you agree? As much change as the world has been through there are still numerous social problems that still exist in society today. Amongst those numerous social problems, sexual orientation and inequality stand out to me. Research from biology, psychology, and sociology is where our understanding of sexual orientation comes from. There are two hypothetical theories researchers have discovered examining the biological basis toward sexual orientation. One concept is the neurohormonal theory, biologist contend that homosexuality is caused by abnormal sex hormone levels in utero. The alternative theory is based on behavioral genetics, determining the source and magnitude of genetic impact on sexual orientation. This theory suggested the concept that gay men were genetically female. Later this theory was proven to be false. Homosexuality was considered as a pathology or mental illness. Not every psychologists agreed with that perspective. A researcher by the name of Havelock Ellis stated that homosexuality was congenital and for that reason it could not be considered as a disease. Sigmund Freud another theorist had the concept that everyone is born bisexual and that either homosexuality or heterosexuality is developed through social and personal experience. Ellis and Freud both concurred that homosexuality was not a mental illness. Despite these researchers’ opinions in 1973,

When it comes to people’s preferences there are distinct differences in the variety of orientations people can have. Not only are there different types of orientation but also people can have different combinations of orientations. The human psyche is not always black and white, gay and straight; there are shades of grey of what people prefer both sexually and romantically. It is important to realize that. Think of it more as a 3-D cube with parts of some orientations overlapping and blending. Individuals who experience sexual attraction, most of the time their sexual orientation and romantic orientation are often in alignment. Romantic orientation being a person’s romantic and emotional attraction based on gender and sexual orientation being the sexual attraction of a person based on gender.

Throughout history there has been speculation about what influences sexuality in men and woman. Is sexual orientation biological or cultural in nature? There is a common misconception that sexual identity operate in parallel with gender roles( Sell, 2005 as cited in Wilkinson & Roys, 2005, p.65). Scholars have not came to an agreement regarding what actually comprise a person’s sexual orientation, however a sexual orientation has been deemed a cumulative experience and interaction of emotional and sexual feelings towards one or both genders (Wilkinson & Roys, 2005, p.65). The paper provides provides some clues as to what factors influence sexual orientation in men and woman.