A short review of biological research on the development of sexual orientation
Anthony F. Bogaert, Malvina N. Skorska
Abstract
We review research supporting biological mechanisms in the development of sexual orientation. This research includes studies on neural correlates, prenatal hormones and related physical/behavioral correlates, genetics, and the fraternal birth order effect (FBOE). These studies, taken together, have provided substantial support for biological influences underlying the development of sexual orientation, but questions remain unanswered, including how biological mechanisms may differ in contributing to men's and women's sexual orientation development.
Topics & Concepts
Sexual orientationPsychologyOrientation (vector space)Biological sexDevelopmental psychologySexual behaviorSocial psychologyGeometryMathematicsSexual Differentiation and DisordersGenetic and Clinical Aspects of Sex Determination and Chromosomal AbnormalitiesLGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy