Homosexuality Biological or Learned Behavior - 2484 Words

Homosexuality: Biological or Learned Behavior Axia College of University of Phoenix Homosexuality is at the front lines of the nature versus nurture debate. Many studies have been conducted, but a clear cause has yet to be found. Anti-homosexuals, consisting mainly of religious groups, believe that homosexuality is abnormal, unnatural, and can be changed. Because of their beliefs, homosexuality must be a learned behavior. Whether homosexuality is biological or learned behavior is still a mystery, but scientists are finding more evidence to suggest the former. Webster’s online dictionary defines abnormal as deviating from the normal or average. By that definition alone homosexuality is abnormal, but there are other things that are†¦show more content†¦3). Lastly, they criticize the fact LeVay could not guarantee the sexuality of his subjects (Dallas, para. 3). However, this discrepancy probably explains why 17 percent of the group contradicted the study (three heterosexual males had smaller INAH3 while three homosexual males had larger INAH3). In spite of these denigrations, it is clear that homosexuality possibly has a biologic substrate. Just as LeVay found evidence of variation between the heterosexual and homosexual brains so did Swedish scientists Ivanka Savic and Per Lindström. They have produced three incredibly interesting and compelling studies. In the first two studies they documented how males and females of both sexual orientations responded to human pheromones. The researchers had the test subjects smell fo ur ordinary aromas and male and female hormones while their brains were being scanned with positron emission tomography (PET). Fascinatingly, the normal scents activated the part of the brain which processes smells, but the hormones were processed by the hypothalamus in most. Heterosexual men’s hypothalamus processed the female hormones, but scent area processed the male hormones. The opposite was found for heterosexual females (Schmid, 2006). On the other hand, homosexual males’ hypothalamus responded to males hormones while the scent area processed the female hormones (USATODAY, 2005). However, the homosexual females processed both hormones in the scent area. Straight men and lesbiansShow MoreRelatedEssay about Causes of Homosexuality - Nature AND Nuture564 Words   |  3 Pagesmany arguments about homosexuality whether is by nature or nurture. Before we make judgments on homosexuality, we need to identify the causes of homosexuality. Homosexuality is caused by gen etic, biological and environmental factors. The first possible cause of homosexuality is genetic factors. Homosexuality is a trait from birth (Buchanan, 2000). Studies found that identical twins share many common traits. A study found that identical twins normally share homosexual behavior if one of them is homosexualRead MoreHomosexuality: A Natural or a Chosen Life923 Words   |  4 PagesHomosexuality, Natural or A Chosen Life? Today, America is still faced with segregation issues, only today it isn’t about the color of skin but about your sexual orientation. A private matter that is suppose to be between two individuals, whether they are heterosexually or homosexually married, has become an issue of society. When it comes to finding a job, getting married, and all the legal rights involved in a marriage, homosexual couples are criticized and in some states not allowed. If it isRead MoreHomosexuality : Nature And Nature871 Words   |  4 PagesHomosexuality: Nature or nurture By: Clifnie francois Advance Placement Psychology Mr. Cuetara June 4 2015 Abstract The nature and nature of homosexuality is heavily debated. 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Identity is defined as who someone is or the qualities, beliefs, etc., that make a particular person or group different from others. Behavior is defined as the manner of conducting oneself or the way a person or animal acts or behave.Read MoreEssay on The Ca use of Homosexual Behaviors1255 Words   |  6 PagesThe Cause of Homosexual Behaviors The cause of homosexual behaviors has long been a controversial topic debated by scientists, psychologists, and many others among the general population. The Newsweek article Born or Bred discusses many possible causes of homosexuality. According to the research done in 1991 by neuroscientist Simon LeVay, the area of the brain that controls sexual activity called the hypothalamus, was less than half the size in homosexual males compared to heterosexual malesRead MoreAmericans Acceptance of Homosexuality Essay873 Words   |  4 PagesIn today’s society the general public has slowly became more accepting of homosexuality over the passing years, however it still remains an extremely controversial subject for a large majority. Different people have formulated their own opinions on whether or not this particular lifestyle is right or wrong. Some of these opinions are backed by generations upon generations of traditional views and religious beliefs which can be particularly arduous to break away from. How strongly people feel aboutRead MoreGender, Gender And Mating ( Levay 2011 )1676 Words   |  7 Pages However dominant the heterosexual may be in various cultural ethos, historical cultural contexts enforce vary ing attitudes towards the spectrum of human sexuality, gender and mating (LeVay 2011: 19-24). Homosexuality exists in all cultures, setting it as a fundamental fact of human biological diversity that goes beyond social contexts. Evolutionary biopsychological accounts of sexuality provide the most plausible paradigms for understanding sexual orientation and gender diversity, for it is anRead MoreNature Vs. Nurture : A Debate Within Psychology1344 Words   |  6 Pagespsychology about whether certain aspects of behavior are genetic or learned characteristics. Certain physical characteristics are genetic, like color of eyes, hair type, and skin color. Other things like driving, talking, or tying your shoes are learned. People wonder if personality and mental abilities are genetic or learned. There are good arguments for both the nurture, and nature side of these three issues: intelligence, personality, and homosexuality. The process of genetically inheritance is