Module 3.3c - Development: Sexual Orientation

Sexual Orientation

The direction of our sexual and emotional attractions, as reflected in our behavior and social affiliation

Heterosexual Orientation

Male-female

Same-sex Orientation

Own sex

Bisexual Orientation

Males and females

Asexual Orientation

None at all

Conversion Therapy

Programs supporting to change people's gender identity or sexual orientation

Erotic Plasticity

The degree to which the sex drive is shaped by social, cultural, and situational factors

- More prevalent in women

Hypothalamus

Contains a cell cluster that plays an important part in a brain pathway engaged in sexual behavior

LeVay Structure Discovery

The discovery which found a larger cell cluster was found in straight men than in straight women or gay men

- Brain anatomy influences sexual orientation

Epigenetic Marks

The chemical compounds that attach to DNA and regulate gene expression

- Helps us distinguish gay and straight twins

- Links b/t sexual orientation and 2 genes on chromosomes 13 and 14

Kin Selection

A natural selection process that occurs when organisms benefit another organism at the cost of itself

Fertile Females Theory

Gay men have more gay relatives on their mother's side than father's side

Older Brother/Fraternal Birth Order Effect

Homosexual men tend to have a greater number of older brothers than heterosexual men