The Concept Of Sexual Orientation - 1293 Words

Abstract The purpose of the study was to synthesize and critically evaluate the concept of sexual orientation, especially as it is studied and presented in large, population-based and school-based adolescent survey literature. Specifically, the study examined methodology and instrumentation used for the assessment and measurement of youth sexual orientation present in refereed literature. Of the forty-eight empirical studies, five included items that assessed all three dimensions of sexual orientation. The majority of studies used surveys that exclusively assessed sexual orientation identity (n = 30; 63%). The majority of those surveys provided between four and six identity response options with parenthetical descriptions, including the†¦show more content†¦(World Health Organization, 2006) Sexual orientation involves an individual’s sexual attraction, identity, arousals, fantasies, and behaviors towards persons of the same sex, other sex, or both sexes (Bell, Weinberg, Hammersmith, 1981; LeVay Valente, 2006; LeVay Baldwin, 2012), and is dynamic (not static) in nature (Klein, Sepekoff, Wolf, 1985; Berkey, Perelman-Hall, Kurdek, 1990). Health researchers have proposed that sexual orientation is a multi-dimensional aspect of a person’s identity that consists of at least three dimensions existing on a continuum (Sell, 1997): sexual orientation identity, sexual attraction, and sexual behavior (Sell Petrulio, 1996; Laumann et al., 1994; Hughes Eliason, 2002; Solarz, 1999; Savin-Williams, 2006). Sexual Orientation Identity. One of the earliest sexual orientation identity classification schemes proposed in the 1860s (Sell, 2007) consisted of three categories: Dionings (heterosexual), Urnings (homosexual), and Uranodionings (bisexual). Homosexual women (Urningins) and heterosexual women (Dioningins) maintained separate categories from men (Sell, 2007). Sexual orientation identity can be described as an individual’s conception of his or her own sexuality (Cass, 1984; Coker, Austin, Schuster, 2010). Heterosexual (straight), homosexual (gay and lesbian), andShow MoreRelatedOperational Definitions Of Construct Validity1011 Words   |  5 Pagesto the validity of the instrumentation used to capture the constructs/concepts a researcher is interested in measuring (Shadish, Cook, Campbell, 2002). In research, the concepts explored must be defined explicitly to communicate with others how the research was conducted. For this end, conceptual definitions are needed to explain t he meaning of a concept. However, operational definitions provide specificity on how the concept will be captured and measured. Operational definitions contribute to:Read MoreThe Issue Of Sexual Orientation1090 Words   |  5 Pagesregarding sexual orientation is vast, and a lot of different definitions of the concept have been introduced throughout time. Nevertheless, although homosexuality is fairly common in the United States, many people still misunderstand it. The different types of sexual orientations and their difference from other sexual-related terms, such as gender role and gender identity, are all confused by the general population. Sadly, even today, there are people that believe in a right or wrong sexual orientationRead MoreMen Who Have Sex With Men Essay1476 Words   |  6 Pages MSM Men Who Have Sex With Men A Critical Concept Essay Tara L. Gill CIIS Sexuality is historically rooted vacillating through out time, adjusting to the individuals personal experience and is influenced by cultural norms. In the United States, sexual behavior and attitudes are driven by variations in gender, social class, ethnicity, and religion. In fact, sexuality is fluid and is different for everyone. It is a unique, diverse, complicated, secretive, and puzzling experienceRead MoreErving Goffmans Work Stigma1441 Words   |  6 PagesSocial psychology and the concept of stigma were greatly influenced by Erving Goffman’s (1963) work Stigma. This pivotal project delineates the varying types of stigmatizing characteristics that arise in various social settings, and the sanctions those individuals receive as a result from deviating from what is considered â€Å"normal.† Through analyzation of the narratives and experiences of â€Å"blemished† individuals, Goffman builds theory on stigmatized identities. He also maps the construction of theRead MoreAfter Careful Examination Of Biblical Texts The Catholic1425 Words   |  6 Pagesindividuals with same sex attractions to seek opportunities to change their sexual orientation, in order to have a sexual orientation that better matches their religious identity and beliefs. The most popular way to alter sexual orientation is through conversion therapy, a complex process that helps willing homosexuals change their sexual orientation and to find a sense of peace. Some homosexuals seek help to change their sexual orientation through conversion therapy. Conversion therapy originated in theRead MoreThe Workplace Of The Lgbt Community1494 Words   |  6 Pagesdiscrimination in employment based on sexual orientation (Badgett, Lau, Sears, Ho, 2007). In 1994 the Don t ask, don t tell (DADT) was the official United States policy on service by gays, bisexuals, and lesbians in the military (Badgett, Lau, Sears, Ho, 2007). Eighteen states and the District of Columbia prohibit employers from discriminating based on sexual orientation and gender identity, with three additional states banning discrimination based on sexual orientation only (Badgett, Lau, SearsRead MoreUgandan Laws on Homosexuality744 Words   |  3 Pagesstrongly against homosexuality and 33% ignored the concept, thus, making the idea of rejecting the phenomenon more dominant than living with it and its a well-known fact that homosexuality faces the lowest acceptance rates in Asian and African countries and the highest in Australia, Europe and the Americas. In the philosophical social science, there have been two views of homosexuality. The first view of the essentialists stated that sexual orientation of a person is determined by natural genes andRead MoreSexual Identity And Adolescent Development Essay1464 Words   |  6 PagesAcquiring a sexual identity is very important and critical to the development of adolescents. While neither sexual or gender identity has anything to do with an individuals’ physical anatomy itself, both have separate, individual meanings. According to genderspectrum.org, gender identity is a reflection and realization of â€Å"one’s internal sense of self as male, female, both or neither†. On the other hand, in regards to sexual identity and adolescents, this involves figuring out whom they find themselvesRead MoreSexual Orientation Is A Choice1603 Words   |  7 PagesIn today’s society, there is an ongoing argument as to whether sexual orientation is a choice or if it is a preference that one is born with. Due to these conflicting perspectives, many philosophers have written books and conducted experiments in order to determine and justify which viewpoint is accurate. In Simone de Beauvoir’s book, The Second Sex, particularly the chapter entitled â€Å"The Lesbian†, she illustrated her assumption that homosexuality is a choice through the anal ysis of their benefitsRead MoreThe Biological Basis Toward Sexual Orientation1406 Words   |  6 Pagesstill numerous social problems that still exist in society today. Amongst those numerous social problems, sexual orientation and inequality stand out to me. Research from biology, psychology, and sociology is where our understanding of sexual orientation comes from. There are two hypothetical theories researchers have discovered examining the biological basis toward sexual orientation. One concept is the neurohormonal theory, biologist contend that homosexuality is caused by abnormal sex hormone levels