What Is Sexual Orientation And How Does The Kinsey Scale Work?

Sexuality is one of the most important areas of human life. Sexual orientation is a term used to describe a person's emotional, romantic, and sexual attraction to a particular gender (men or women).

The content of the article

• 1 Why do some people become homosexual or bisexual?
• 2 How do people know their sexual orientation?
• 3 Is it possible to change sexual orientation?
• 4 Are there support groups for people with gay sexuality?
• 5 What is the Kinsey scale
• 6 How the Kinsey Scale appeared
• 7 What is it for?
• 8 Is there a "test" based on the Kinsey scale?

Sexual orientation generally falls into three categories:

• Heterosexuality, that is, sexual interest exclusively in persons of the opposite sex;
• Bisexuality or attraction to both sexes at once;
• Homosexuality is a persistent sexual attraction to persons of only the same sex.

Sexual orientation can include a person's feelings and identity, but not in any way in their appearance or behavior. People may be attracted to people of the same or opposite sex, but they may choose not to act on those feelings. For example, a bisexual person may well choose a monogamous (one partner) relationship with the same sex and, therefore, not feel attracted to the opposite sex.

Why do some people become homosexual or bisexual? I

Most modern scientists agree that sexual orientation (including homosexuality and bisexuality) is the result of a combination of environmental, emotional, hormonal and biological factors. In other words, there are several factors that contribute to a person's sexual orientation, and these factors can be different for different people.

However, homosexuality and bisexuality cannot arise as a result of upbringing, or the fact that a person once, by chance, had a sexual experience with someone of the same gender. Moreover, homosexuality or bisexuality cannot be considered a psychological illness.

How do people know their sexual orientation? 2

For many people, their sexual orientation becomes apparent as early as adolescence, and in many cases long before any sexual experience. For example, homosexuals are clearly aware that their sexual thoughts and actions are focused on people of the same gender. But in some cases, some people may just fantasize about having sex with members of the same gender, without being homosexual. And, as a rule, the matter does not go beyond these fantasies.

Can I change my sexual orientation? 3

Most experts agree that sexual orientation is still not a choice and therefore cannot be changed.

Homosexuals or bisexuals can hide their sexual orientation and live as heterosexuals to avoid prejudice. Another reason for their secrecy is to avoid their own moral dilemmas when their sexual orientation is incompatible with their personal beliefs.

Are there support groups for gay people? 4

Certainly. Today, there are a number of different support groups and organizations available to those struggling with sexual orientation. They help people strategize to combat prejudice associated with homosexuality and the destructive consequences of prejudice and stereotyping.

What is the Kinsey scale5

The Kinsey scale, also known as the heterosexual-homosexual rating scale, is one of the oldest and most widely used scales for describing the sexual orientation of homosexuals.

Although now this scale is outdated, several years ago it was one of the first models to determine that sexuality is not binary. And people can be described as heterosexual or homosexual.

According to the Kinsey scale, the assertion arose that most people cannot have only heterosexual or exclusively homosexual orientation - after all, as it turned out, sexual attraction may be somewhere in the middle of this spectrum.

How the Kinsey Scale 6 appeared

The Kinsey Scale was developed by Alfred Kinsey, Wardell Pomeroy and Clyde Martin. Her debut publication was in Kinsey's book Sexual Behavior in Men, which was published in 1948.

The research that was used to create this scale was based on candid interviews of several thousand people who openly shared their own sexual stories and motivations for behavior.

Alfred Kinsey

What is it for? 7

The main purpose of the Kinsey scale was to describe a person's sexual orientation. However, this method is currently considered obsolete, so it is hardly used outside of academia.

Is there a "test" based on the Kinsey scale? _171187

Not. The term "Kinsey scale test" is undoubtedly still in use, but according to the Alfred Kinsey Institute, there is no valid test based on this scale.

There are some tests in virtual space that are supposedly based on the Kinsey scale, but you should not rely entirely on their data. Their reliability is negligible and they are not approved by the Kinsey Institute.