HOW DOES LABELLING FACE IMAGES INFLUENCE SEXUAL ATTRACTION?

The present study consists of two separate experimental studies focusing on how labelling face images influence sexual attraction. In Study 1, 30 gender-neutral face photographs were shown to the participants. A total of 407 participants, 278 (%68) women and 129 (%32) men, participated in the first study. In Study 2, 75% feminine face photos were shown to male participants and 75% masculine face photos were shown to female participants. The number of photos shown to each participant was 30. A total of 282 participants, 151(%54) women and 131 men (%46) participated in the second study. In both studies, some of the participants were told that the photographs belonged to men, while others were told that they belonged to women and questions about photographs in the first study were repeated. Kruskal-Wallis H test conducted to investigate whether the responses changed according to the gender tag of the photos. The results show that the perception of attraction does not only change according to physical features, but also according to the gender label of the body to which physical features belong. The findings are discussed by referring to evolutionary, social constructionist approaches and the concept of sexual fluidity. Keywords: Sexuality, Facial Attractiveness, Sexual Attractiveness, Sexual Fluidity

Human female sexual behaviour across sexual orientations : evolution, personality, and fluidity

Women's sexual behavour across sexual orientations was evaluated in this thesis. Evolutionary theory has shown that women and men pursue different reproductive strategies and predicts that strategic interference results when women and men are trying to acquire mates. This study compared women who varied in sexual orientation to assess differences between lesbian, bisexual and heterosexual female scores in sociosexuality. Masculine and feminine personality traits were additionally assessed by the Bem Sex Role Inventory. Sexual fluidity was assessed via interviews. Results indicated that lesbians and heterosexual women had similar scores in sociosexuality, suggesting little effect of strategic interference on lesbian sociosexuality. Extreme Kinsey scale scores were compared (i.e. completely heterosexual and completely lesbian), lesbians reported being more restricted in sociosexuality than heterosexual women. Bisexual women were statistically significantly more unrestricted compared to lesbian and heterosexual women. Lesbians had the highest self ratings of femininity when compared to heterosexual and bisexual women.

Human female sexual behaviour across sexual orientations : evolution, personality, and fluidity

Women's sexual behavour across sexual orientations was evaluated in this thesis. Evolutionary theory has shown that women and men pursue different reproductive strategies and predicts that strategic interference results when women and men are trying to acquire mates. This study compared women who varied in sexual orientation to assess differences between lesbian, bisexual and heterosexual female scores in sociosexuality. Masculine and feminine personality traits were additionally assessed by the Bem Sex Role Inventory. Sexual fluidity was assessed via interviews. Results indicated that lesbians and heterosexual women had similar scores in sociosexuality, suggesting little effect of strategic interference on lesbian sociosexuality. Extreme Kinsey scale scores were compared (i.e. completely heterosexual and completely lesbian), lesbians reported being more restricted in sociosexuality than heterosexual women. Bisexual women were statistically significantly more unrestricted compared to lesbian and heterosexual women. Lesbians had the highest self ratings of femininity when compared to heterosexual and bisexual women.

The Allomothering Hypothesis: an Examination of the Adaptiveness of Female Sexual Fluidity in Self Identified Heterosexual and Mostly Straight Women

Exclusive same-sex sexual behaviour is problematic from the viewpoint of evolutionary theory because one of evolutionary psychology’s fundamental tenets is that species need to survive and reproduce. I contend that female sexual fluidity is an evolved predisposition in heterosexual women and the behaviour evolved as a result of the need for allomothering— helping each other’s offspring survive—and also providing assistance with survival of the females themselves. The Allomothering hypothesis asserts that same-sex sexual behaviour can be adaptive in condition-dependent circumstances because it promotes pair bonds that ultimately contribute to the survival of offspring. A revised definition of sexual fluidity, one that is different from the traditional definition, was devised. In this dissertation the revised definition states “sexual fluidity occurs when self-identified heterosexual (straight) or predominantly heterosexual females experience short-term fleeting physical (sexual) attraction to and/or a deep emotional connection (like romantic love) with other females in a condition-dependent circumstance.” Four studies were conducted to find evidence in support of the allomothering hypothesis. The first study compared self-identified heterosexual (mostly straight) women and men in terms of same-sex sexual experience. Overall, women more than men have engaged in various dimensions of same-sex sexual behaviour. The second study compared pornography geared toward heterosexual women and pornography geared toward heterosexual men. Female same-sex sexual behaviour occurred in almost all the top selling movies for both heterosexual women and men. The third study tested the allomothering hypothesis by having self-identified heterosexual (mostly straight) women who have engaged in same-sex sexual behaviour rate the person they had the experience with on “good mothering traits.” The more the women enjoyed same-sex sexual behaviour, the higher they rated the person they had the sexual experience with. Various aspects of same-sex sexual behaviour among heterosexual (mostly straight) women and allomothering were explored. The final study was an assessment of captive Bonobos (Pan paniscus) at the Milwaukee Zoo. Bonobos are humans’ closest genetic relative along with Chimpanzees (Pan troglodtyes). The study examined the connection between female same-sex sexual activity among bonobos in relation to pair bonding, grooming, play, and allomothering.

The Allomothering Hypothesis: an Examination of the Adaptiveness of Female Sexual Fluidity in Self Identified Heterosexual and Mostly Straight Women

Exclusive same-sex sexual behaviour is problematic from the viewpoint of evolutionary theory because one of evolutionary psychology’s fundamental tenets is that species need to survive and reproduce. I contend that female sexual fluidity is an evolved predisposition in heterosexual women and the behaviour evolved as a result of the need for allomothering— helping each other’s offspring survive—and also providing assistance with survival of the females themselves. The Allomothering hypothesis asserts that same-sex sexual behaviour can be adaptive in condition-dependent circumstances because it promotes pair bonds that ultimately contribute to the survival of offspring. A revised definition of sexual fluidity, one that is different from the traditional definition, was devised. In this dissertation the revised definition states “sexual fluidity occurs when self-identified heterosexual (straight) or predominantly heterosexual females experience short-term fleeting physical (sexual) attraction to and/or a deep emotional connection (like romantic love) with other females in a condition-dependent circumstance.” Four studies were conducted to find evidence in support of the allomothering hypothesis. The first study compared self-identified heterosexual (mostly straight) women and men in terms of same-sex sexual experience. Overall, women more than men have engaged in various dimensions of same-sex sexual behaviour. The second study compared pornography geared toward heterosexual women and pornography geared toward heterosexual men. Female same-sex sexual behaviour occurred in almost all the top selling movies for both heterosexual women and men. The third study tested the allomothering hypothesis by having self-identified heterosexual (mostly straight) women who have engaged in same-sex sexual behaviour rate the person they had the experience with on “good mothering traits.” The more the women enjoyed same-sex sexual behaviour, the higher they rated the person they had the sexual experience with. Various aspects of same-sex sexual behaviour among heterosexual (mostly straight) women and allomothering were explored. The final study was an assessment of captive Bonobos (Pan paniscus) at the Milwaukee Zoo. Bonobos are humans’ closest genetic relative along with Chimpanzees (Pan troglodtyes). The study examined the connection between female same-sex sexual activity among bonobos in relation to pair bonding, grooming, play, and allomothering.

Bisexuality: Narrating Sexual Fluidity

This chapter attends to bisexuality in places where it is not specifically named, such as in narratives of sexual fluidity over the lifespan. Building on a history of bisexual research addressing sexual desires, practices, and identities alongside biphobia, the chapter proposes a life narrative framework for the sociolinguistic examination of bisexuality that approaches sexual desires as both signs and effects. An analysis of a personal biography describing the process of lesbian self-realization at the end of state socialism in Hungary highlights the impact of compulsory heterosexuality on women’s lives, exposing the effects of gender hierarchy and its associated economics on the interpretation and realization of same-sex desire. However, the analysis also reveals continuities between the previous socialist culture of silence regarding homosexuality and the current capitalist culture of sexual objectification, which upholds heterosexuality by encouraging “performative bisexuality.” The chapter stresses the importance of attending to situated hierarchies of class, gender, and sexuality in the sociolinguistic study of bisexuality.