Graduate Program

Clinical Psychology

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Semester of Degree Completion

2004

Thesis Director

Steven J. Scher

Abstract

An evolutionary theory known as balanced polymorphism (Hutchinson, 1959), which accounts for the prevalence of the deadly hereditary disease called sickle cell anemia, may prove to be a possible solution to the evolutionary paradox of homosexuality. The evolutionary advantage supported by the theory may account for the current and future prevalence of homosexuality. The theory works on the basis of a heterozygotic advantage, which is simply the advantage gained by a combination of two extreme genotypes. In this case, the heterozygotic advantage is the personality of a homosexual and the sexual orientation of a heterosexual. To test this theory, forty-eight female subjects were presented with different types of male personalities that varied in masculinity and femininity, but that were all described as heterosexual (+M/-F, +M/+F, -M/-F, and-M/+F). The hypothesis was that heterosexual males presented with a personality resembling a homosexual male (+M/+F), recently labeled by the media as "metrosexual," would be rated as more attractive than males with a typical heterosexual (+M/-F) or homosexual (-M/+F) personality. Analysis of the data, using pre-planned contrasts, strongly supported the hypothesis. Although the results were favorable in helping re-establish a dismissed theory, it does not completely account for the solution to the paradox. Further investigation needs to be done in order to establish a genetic predisposition for sexual orientation as well as its effects on personality.

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