Fluctuating asymmetry and sexual orientation in men and women.
The present study measured handedness and bodily fluctuating asymmetry (FA), two markers of developmental instability, in 89 heterosexual and 78 gay men and women. Asymmetry in ear breadth, ear length, ankle breadth, second digit length, fourth digit length, and two composite indices were calculated for each participant and a modified Edinburgh Inventory was used to assess handedness. Results showed that, for men, there was a significant positive correlation between three measures of FA and sexual orientation scores (SOS). As ear breadth FA and two composite FA scores increased so did SOS on a modified Kinsey scale (where 0 indicated exclusive heterosexuality and 6 indicated exclusive homosexuality). No significant relationships were found between SOS and FA for women. Similarly, sexual orientation was not related to handedness for either sex. The theoretical implications of the present results are discussed.
Miller
Stacie S
SS
Department of Psychology, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000, USA. smiller9@binghamton.edu
Hoffmann
Heather L
HL
Mustanski
Brian S
BS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006306:Health Surveys; D018452:Homosexuality, Female; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D014481:United States