Homosexuality as a Discrete Class.
Previous research on the latent structure of sexual orientation has returned conflicting results, with some studies finding a dimensional structure (i.e., ranging quantitatively along a spectrum) and others a taxonic structure (i.e., categories of individuals with distinct orientations). The current study used a sample (N = 33,525) from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). A series of taxometric analyses were conducted using three indicators of sexual orientation: identity, behavior, and attraction. These analyses, performed separately for women and men, revealed low-base-rate same-sex-oriented taxa for men (base rate = 3.0%) and women (base rate = 2.7%). Generally, taxon membership conferred an increased risk for psychiatric and substance-use disorders. Although taxa were present for men and women, women demonstrated greater sexual fluidity, such that any level of same-sex sexuality conferred taxon membership for men but not for women.
Department of Psychology, Washington State University alyssa.norris@wsu.edu.
Alyssa L
AL
Norris
Department of Psychology, Washington State University.
David K
DK
Marcus
Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi.
Bradley A
BA
Green
D005260:Female; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000145:classification* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012933:Social Identification; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
NESARC; latent structure; sexual orientation; taxometric analyses