Lecture Notes

Sexual orientation is an area of human sexuality that has been clouded by misunderstanding, myth, and confusion. To help explain the complex nature of sexual orientation, psychologists and researchers in sexuality have developed various models. There are three models of sexual orientation: the dichotomous-psychoanalytic model, the unidimensional-bipolar model by Kinsey, and the two-dimensional-orthogonal (ORR-tha-ge-nul) model by Storms. The dichotomous-psychoanalytic model is dichotomized into heterosexual and homosexual, with some time considering a third category of bisexuality. Bisexuals were considered to be homosexuals trying to be heterosexuals. Next is the unidimensional-bipolar model by Kinsey. Kinsey believed that sexual orientation is a continuum from exclusively heterosexual to exclusively homosexual. A person's sexual behavior could change across their lifetime. He was criticized for the implication that the more heterosexual a person is the less homosexual he or she must be. This view used bipolar ratings of heterosexuality and homosexuality and sexual behaviors, sexual fantasies, a person one loves, and feelings about which sex is more attractive were used as independent indicators for assessment. The last model is the two-dimensional-orthogonal model. This emphasizes homoeroticism and heteroeroticism as independent continua. Bisexuality is defined as high on both homoeroticism and heteroeroticism dimensions. Heterosexuals are high on heteroeroticism and low on homoeroticism dimensions. Homosexuals are high on homoeroticism and low on heteroeroticism dimensions. Asexuals are low on both homoeroticism and heteroeroticism dimensions. Image from McGraw Hill Image Library