Change sexual orientation (21)

Psycho Analytics

Freudian Psychoanalytic Theory+

Key Figure: Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)

Views on Homosexuality:

Freud viewed homosexuality as a form of perversion, indicating arrested development in individuals.
Contrary to popular belief, Freud did not consider homosexuality a mental illness. Instead, he attributed it to developmental factors.
According to Freud, everyone is inherently heterosexual, but certain events or factors hinder individuals from progressing towards heterosexuality.
He proposed that homosexuality stems from unresolved issues or traumas occurring after birth, which prevent individuals from transitioning to heterosexuality.
In Freudian terms, homosexuals are unable to move past a certain stage of psychosexual development due to a post natal traumatic event or psychological barrier.

Implications

Freud's perspective challenges traditional notions of homosexuality as a mental disorder.
suggests that homosexuality is a result of complex psychological processes rather than a pathological condition

American psychoanalysts

American psychoanalysts, influenced by Freudian ideas, played a significant role in shaping perceptions of homosexuality in the United States during the mid-20th century.

American Psychoanalytic Key Figures:

Irving Bieber:
Joseph Nicolosi: Advocacy for conversion therapy.
Charles Socarides: Advocated for psychoanalytic treatments to "cure" homosexuality.

Freudian Influence in the USA:

Freud's ideas on psychoanalysis, including views on sexuality, migrated to the USA.
However, the concept that homosexuality was benign and not a sickness, as suggested by Freud, wasn't widely accepted in the United States.

American Psychoanalytic Perspectives:

Neurosis and Redirected Libido:
- Neurosis = redirection of libido.
- Homosexuality interpreted as a form of neurosis stemming from unresolved conflicts.
- Believed that homosexual attractions could stem from repressed desires for women, with libido redirected towards men.
- Unresolved Trauma: fear of female genitals = castration anxiety in men.

Views on Homosexuality:

Homosexuality was commonly viewed as a mental illness by American psychoanalysts during this period.
Experimental therapies and talk therapies were advocated as means to "cure" homosexuality.
Both the broader society and many homosexuals themselves accepted the notion that homosexuality was a sickness that required treatment.

Psychoanalysis - Outcomes

Lack of Evidence for Efficacy:

There is no empirical evidence supporting the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic interventions in changing sexual orientation.
While sexual behavior and sexual orientation identity may change, there is typically no alteration in sexual feelings or orientation itself.

Measurement used and its downside

Success in such interventions is often based solely on self-report data, which is subjective and prone to bias.
Individuals may report success in therapy to avoid feeling like a failure or to continue therapy, regardless of actual outcomes.

Long-Term Follow-Up:

Long-term follow-up studies, although rare, suggest that individuals often revert back to homosexual behavior despite initial changes in behavior or identity.

Psychological Harm:

Many individuals report experiencing psychological harm as a result of undergoing psychoanalytic interventions. (can lead to suicide — example: Alan Turing)
Psychological distress, stress, fatigue, and feelings of anguish are commonly reported by those who have undergone such therapies.

Physical Harm:

Physical harm, including burns from shock therapy, has been documented in individuals subjected to aversive treatments. (shock therapy)
The physical and emotional trauma endured by individuals undergoing such therapies underscores the potential dangers associated with attempting to change sexual orientation.

Positive Outcomes for Psychoanalysis

Normalization and Empowerment:

Psychoanalysis can help normalize feelings of same-sex attraction, reducing feelings of isolation or abnormality. (best for people with religious beliefs — conversion therapy)
By reorienting individuals' perspectives to understand that experiencing same-sex attractions is acceptable but acting on them may not be, psychoanalysis can empower individuals to make choices aligned with their values.
These outcomes include feelings of peace, empowerment, and the ability to make informed choices about behavior.
Understanding these positive outcomes alongside the criticisms of psychoanalysis provides a more nuanced view of its potential effects on individuals' well-being.

The Different Treatments Used to “cure” Homosexuality

1) Lobotomies & Brain Lesions

Purpose and Procedure: Ice Pick Method

Lobotomy was a surgical procedure conducted in the mid-20th century
belief that it could modify behavior and emotions.
targeted the prefrontal cortex of the brain, aiming to sever connections to modify mental functions
The transorbital lobotomy, also known as the "ice pick" method, involved inserting a sharp instrument through the eye sockets into the brain and then "wiggling" it around to cause damage to the prefrontal lobes.

Effects:

Lobotomies often resulted in significant behavioural changes, including apathy (lack of interest), passivity (un reactive) and a decrease in emotional responsiveness.
In extreme cases, lobotomies could lead to death due to surgical complications or extensive damage to vital brain structures.

Destruction of Brain Lesions and its effect:

Destruction of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus can result in a decrease in libido or sex drive.
- important to note that while libido (sex drive) diminishes, there is no change in sexual orientation. (still will be homosexual)
- attraction will still be to same sex after procedure

2) Castration & Transplantation Hormonal Treatments

Removal of Testosterone: Castration

2 Types

Orchiectomies = surgical removal of the testicles
Chemical = use of drugs to suppress testosterone production

Castration results in a significant decrease in testosterone levels, which can lead to alterations in libido and sexual function.
may reduce libido, does not change direction of sexual orientation.

Removal of Testosterone: Transplantation Hormonal Treatments

Transplantation of Testicles: Some historical cases involved the transplantation of testicles from animals (such as apes and monkeys) into humans as a hormonal treatment.

Addition of Testosterone: Testosterone Injections

Modern treatments may involve the addition of testosterone through injections or other means to supplement hormonal levels.
can alter the strength of libido, increasing or decreasing sexual desire
does not change the underlying sexual orientation of individuals.

Historical Context: Legal and Ethical Implications

Legal: In some cases, individuals were subjected to castration or hormonal treatments as an alternative to imprisonment for charges related to homosexuality.
Ethical: These treatments were intended to suppress libido but often led to significant psychological distress and adverse effects.

Case Example of Alan Turing

Alan Turing, was subjected to hormonal treatments after being charged with homosexuality in the mid-20th century.
Despite the treatments, Turing experienced a decrease in libido but did not undergo a change in sexual orientation.
The psychological distress caused by the treatments ultimately led to Turing's tragic death by suicide.

Conclusion:

While these treatments may affect libido, they typically do not change the underlying sexual orientation of individuals.
The brain cant be rewired to another attraction, you just can change the libido level of a person

3) Aversion Therapies

Pairing with Aversive Stimuli:

In aversion therapy for homosexuality, individuals are exposed to fantasies or images of the same sex.
aimed at reducing unwanted behaviors by pairing them with aversive stimuli.
creates a negative association with homosexual thoughts or behaviours.

Commonly used aversive stimuli in these therapies:

Electric shocks
apomorphine (a drug inducing nausea)
carbon dioxide inhalation

Reorientation through Punishment is an example of what?

aversive stimuli serve as punishment for homosexual desires or behaviors, aiming to reorient individuals towards heterosexual interests.
The theory behind this approach is rooted in operant conditioning principles, where behaviors are modified through the consequences they receive.

Selective Punishment:

Aversion therapies typically do not administer punishment when individuals display interest in the opposite sex.
This selective reinforcement strengthens heterosexual inclinations while weakening homosexual tendencies.

4) Orgasmic reconditioning therapy

Definition

Orgasmic reconditioning therapy (ORC) is a psychological treatment approach aimed at modifying sexual arousal patterns by pairing rewarding stimuli with desired sexual fantasies or images. (opposite of aversion therapy)

Pairing with Rewarding Stimuli:

ORC involves pairing fantasies or images of the opposite sex with rewarding stimuli, typically at the point of orgasm.
Individuals initially engage in masturbation to fantasies/images of the same sex, then switch to fantasies/images of the opposite sex before orgasm (reward).

Research Findings:

Studies assessing the effectiveness of ORC have yielded mixed results, with some indicating limited success and others showing little to no change in arousal patterns.
Objective measures of physiological or behavioral arousal often did not correlate with subjective reports of treatment success. (will say it worked, but arousal will still only be for same sex)

Key Studies using this Method and problems with participants, specifically 2,3 and 1,4

Only participants 2 and 3 showed promise for the study due to their very low arousal to heterosexual stimuli and clear homosexual orientation.
Despite undergoing ORC with nude images of both sexes, their attraction to heterosexuality remained low, while arousal to homosexuality remained high.
There was a lack of concordance between objective (physiological) and subjective (self-reported) data, suggesting potential bias or deception in subjective reports.
The study included only four participants, which limits its generalizability and statistical power. (need larger sample sizes)
Participant 1 was bisexual, making them unsuitable for a study focused on homosexuality.
Participant 4 had hebephilic preferences, indicating a preference for pubescent individuals, 11-14, which does not align with the study's focus on adult participants (all should be teliophilic = attracted to adults)

5) Psychoanalysis

Exposing Neurosis Causes:

seeks to uncover the underlying causes of neurosis, often rooted in unresolved conflicts and unconscious anxieties.
Redirected libido, where unconscious desires are redirected from their natural aims, is the central focus.

Protracted Psychotherapy (Talk Therapy):

Treatment involves protracted psychotherapy sessions where patients engage in "talk therapy" to explore their thoughts, feelings, and past experiences.
Through the therapeutic relationship, unconscious conflicts are brought to light and resolved over time.

Gender-Typical Activities:

Patients may be encouraged to engage in gender-typical activities to explore traditional gender roles and expectations.
would teach that "no one is gay until they act gay"

Non-Sexual Relationships:

Forming a close, non-sexual relationship with a therapist of the same sex can facilitate trust and exploration of intimate feelings and experiences, that is usually missing within these families

Neurosis and Family Dynamics:

Inappropriate relationships with parents, such as excessive closeness with the mother and hostility from the father, can contribute to psychological distress. (hence why Psychologist has to act as the right role model, the dad isnt)
results in child being overtly feminine (child would take mom as role model instead of dad)

6) Reparative/conversion therapy

Sexual Reorientation Therapy:

Involves various techniques, often with explicit religious teachings, to attempt to change an individual's sexual orientation.
The therapy is based on the belief that same-sex attractions can be present without an individual being considered homosexual
- "no one is gay until they act gay"

Behavior vs. Identity:

Individuals are considered homosexual only if they engage in homosexual behavior, according to this therapy.
Individuals can experience same-sex attractions, without being homosexual
Thus, individuals may identify as heterosexual even if they experience same-sex attractions, as long as they refrain from acting on those attractions.

Heavy Religious Element:

Reparative therapy often incorporates religious teachings and beliefs, framing homosexuality as incompatible with religious or moral values.

Limited Impact on Feelings:

While reparative therapy may lead to changes in behavior and identity, it often does not alter individuals' underlying feelings or attractions.
Individuals may continue to experience same-sex attractions despite identifying as heterosexual and refraining from homosexual behavior.
leads to changes in behaviour (abstinence) and identity (identify more as heterosexual) but feelings dont change

Parenting

Does Disorder parenting styles cause homosexuality?

Studies have failed to find any relationship between parental styles and the development of homosexuality

Is it true that Distant fathers cause homosexuality in their sons?

There has been a historical belief that distant or emotionally absent fathers may cause homosexuality in their sons.
Recent studies instead suggest a different direction of causality.
- Instead of distant fathers causing homosexuality in their sons, emotionally distant relationships between fathers and their homosexual sons is due to the sons' sex-atypical behavior
It is the son's sex-atypical behavior may influence the father's emotional distance.
- perception of sons' femininity by fathers contribute to their emotional distance.