Chapter Review

Key Terms

sexual orientation, p. 157

romantic attraction, p. 157

sexual arousal, p. 157

sexual attraction, p. 157

sexual behavior, p. 158

sexual identity, p. 158

sexual fluidity, p. 163

asexuality, p. 165

sexual minorities, p. 165

gender nonconformity, p. 173

heteronormativity, p. 177

internalized homonegativity, p. 180

Think About It

1. Sexual desire is one of the defining features of an intimate relationship, but people with no sexual desire also form intimate relationships. How would you explain, or reconcile, these two competing assertions?
2. Two factors determine the composition of nearly all couples: whether or not the partners are of the same sex or different sexes, and whether or not the partners are male or female. How does each factor contribute when it comes to daily life in relationships?
3. If same-sex attraction was proven to be biological in nature, beyond any doubt, would this eliminate stigma and heteronormativity? Why or why not?
4. How do you understand people who say they are “mostly heterosexual”? What experiences and ideas are people considering when they use this description?
5. If you were in a same-sex relationship, and your partner seemed to be especially inclined toward internalized homonegativity, how would you respond?

Suggested Resources

Chang, J., & Dazols, L. 2015. This Is What LGBT Life Is Like Around the World. TEDx Talk. [Video]

Diamond, L.M. 2008. Sexual fluidity: Understanding women’s love and desire. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. [Book]

Mosbergen, D. 2017. Asexuality: The “X” in a Sexual World. Huffington Post.com. [Online article]

Rostosky, S. S., & Riggle, E. D. 2015. Happy together: Thriving as a same-sex couple in your family, workplace, and community. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. [Book]

Savin-Williams, R. 2016. Becoming who I am: Young men on being gay. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. [Book]

Glossary

• sexual orientation
  The way in which people pursue love, attachment, and meaningful social connections with people of the same sex, a different sex, or either sex.
• sexual fluidity
  The idea that sexual attractions can change, and that people have the capacity to grow more attracted or less attracted to men or to women, regardless of their general sexual orientation.
• asexuality
  A sexual orientation in which people lack sexual desire and sexual attraction, thereby reducing interest in sexual interaction.
• sexual minorities
  Individuals who do not identify themselves as primarily and exclusively straight in their sexual orientation.
• heteronormativity
  The mistaken idea that heterosexuality, because it is common, typical, and “the norm,” is also necessarily ideal, optimal, or desirable.
• internalized homonegativity
  An involuntary tendency for gay and lesbian people to accept and even endorse harsh stereotypes about sexual minorities.
• romantic attraction
  Feelings of infatuation, love, and emotional desire for another person.
• sexual arousal
  A physiological response to same-sex and different-sex people.
• sexual attraction
  Fantasies, feelings of lust, and erotic desire for another person.
• sexual behavior
  The overt sexual interactions a person engages in with another person.
• sexual identity
  The way a person understands and labels his or her attraction to, and sexual interactions with, other people.
• gender nonconformity
  The extent to which an individual’s appearance, behavior, and interests differ from what is considered typical or normal for his or her gender.