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
Learning or Biology? | |
The Hormonal Control of Sexual Behavior | |
Biological Determinism of Sexual Orientation in Animals | |
Gender Differences in Humans | |
Organizing Effects | |
Activating Effects | |
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action adrenal adult adulthood androgens animals aromatase aspects associated Bakker Balthazart biological birth bisexual boys castrated cells changes Chapter characteristics chromosome circulating testosterone clinical cloacal exstrophy cognitive concentrations correlation defeminization determined Dörner effects embryonic hormonal endocrine estradiol estrogen exposed factors Figure function gender identity genes genetic genital structures genital tubercle girls gonadal heterosexual Hines homosexual orientation homosexuality hypothalamus identified INAH increase individuals induced influence interpretation lesions LeVay levels male and female male homosexuality male rats male sexual mammals masculinization maternal mechanisms medial preoptic area Müllerian ducts neurons normal observed oSDN partner preference penis physical postnatal prenatal preoptic area produced protein puberty receptors reproductive researchers response result role Roselli sex differences sex steroids sexual activity sexual attraction sexual behavior sexual differentiation sexual identity sexual orientation sexually dimorphic nucleus social societies specific studies subjects Swaab testes testosterone treatment twins Wolffian ducts women X chromosome