The Biology of HomosexualityOxford University Press, 2. dets 2011 - 208 pages In this fascinating book, Jacques Balthazart presents a simple description of the biological mechanisms that are involved in the determination of sexual orientation in animals and also presumably in humans. Using scientific studies published over the last few decades, he argues that sexual orientation, both homosexual and heterosexual, is under the control of embryonic endocrine and genetic phenomena in which there is little room for individual choice. The author begins with animal studies of the hormonal and neural mechanisms that control the so-called instinctive behaviors and analyzes how this animal work may potentially apply to humans. The book does not focus exclusively on homosexuality, however. Instead, the book acts as a broader guide to the biological basis of sexual orientation, and also discusses important gender differences that may influence sexual orientation. While firmly grounded in the scientific literature, this text is developed for a broader audience and will be of interest to psychologists, researchers, students, and anyone interested in the biological factors that determine our sexuality. |
Contents
The Basics | 3 |
Learning or Biology? | 12 |
3 The Hormonal Control of Sexual Behavior | 27 |
4 Biological Determinism of Sexual Orientation in Animals | 47 |
5 Gender Differences in Humans | 61 |
Organizing Effects | 69 |
Activating Effects | 91 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
action adrenal adult adulthood androgens animals anti-Müllerian hormone aromatase aspects associated Bakker biological birth bisexual boys brain cells Chapter characteristics chromosome clinical cognitive concentrations correlations defeminized determined Dörner early effects embryonic hormonal endocrine estradiol estrogen exposed factors female embryos Figure functional gender identity genes genetic genital folds genital structures genital tubercle gonads heterosexual Hines homo homosexual orientation homosexuality humans hypothalamus identified identity and sexual INAH increase individuals induced influence injection lesions LeVay levels male homosexuality male rats male sexual males and females mammals masculinization maternal mechanisms mother Müllerian ducts neurons normal observed oSDN penis physical postnatal prenatal preoptic area produced protein puberty receptors reproductive response result role sex differences sex steroids sexual activity sexual attraction sexual behavior sexual differentiation sexual identity sexual orientation sexually dimorphic nucleus social societies specific stria terminalis studies subjects Swaab testosterone tion treatment twins Wolffian ducts X chromosome