Heterosexuality/homosexuality: dichotomy or continuum.
A recent reanalysis of Kinsey's data rejected his conclusion that heterosexuality and homosexuality were a continuum. A number of studies have been published over the past decade reporting that 5% or less of adolescents were aware of homosexual feelings, a finding also inconsistent with Kinsey's data. These studies have rejected prenatal hormones and rearing by homosexual parents as influencing sexual orientation. If Kinsey's data are correct and 40% or more of adolescents are aware of homosexual feeling the findings of these studies are invalid. Two replications of an initial study with representative samples of medical students found over 40% of both males and females currently aware of some homosexual feelings, consistent with Kinsey's conclusion. The ratio of reported homosexual to heterosexual feelings correlated with opposite sex-linked behaviors in the male, supporting the validity of the subjects' reports. If subjects representative of other subgroups of the population are investigated with this easily implemented method and report similar data, this theoretically and sociologically significant divergence of belief concerning the incidence of the heterosexual/homosexual balance would be resolved.
McConaghy
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Behavior Therapy Unit, Prince of Wales Hospital, New South Wales, Australia.
D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal; D005201:Fantasy; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007062:Identification, Psychological; D008297:Male; D012107:Research Design; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology