Summarize the research on why some people are heterosexual and some are homosexual. Your essay should include possible brain differences, prenatal factors, and genetic factors

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answer: A good answer will include the following key points.
? An area of the hypothalamus may be smaller in gay men compared to heterosexual men. Similarly, the anterior commissure may be larger in homosexual men.
? Brain imaging studies also show differences in activities for homosexual males in several situations.
? Males exposed to low prenatal testosterone levels are more likely to identify with feminine pursuits and show homosexual preferences. In contrast, high testosterone exposure for females is associated with an increased chance of showing male typical behavior, and sometimes homosexual orientation.
? Mothers may develop an immune response to male specific proteins from previous male pregnancies. This immune response may affect development, which would explain why male children are more likely to be homosexual if they have older biological brothers.
? Twin studies tend to show consistently higher genetic correlations for sexual orientation between male identical twins compared to fraternal twins. This finding indicates that male homosexuality has a genetic basis. Results of studies comparing female identical and fraternal twins are not as consistent.