• Media type: E-Article
  • Title: Sexual Orientation: Categories or Continuum? Commentary on Bailey et al. (2016)
  • Contributor: Savin-Williams, Ritch C.
  • imprint: SAGE Publications, 2016
  • Published in: Psychological Science in the Public Interest
  • Language: English
  • DOI: 10.1177/1529100616637618
  • ISSN: 1529-1006; 1539-6053
  • Keywords: General Psychology
  • Origination:
  • Footnote:
  • Description: <jats:p> Bailey et al. (2016) have provided an excellent, state-of-the-art overview that is a major contribution to our understanding of sexual orientation. However, whereas Bailey and his coauthors have examined the physiological, behavioral, and self-report data of sexual orientation and see categories, I see a sexual and romantic continuum. After noting several objections concerning the limitations of the review and methodological shortcomings characteristic of sexual-orientation research in general, I present evidence from research investigating in-between sexualities to support an alternative, continuum-based perspective regarding the nature of sexual orientation for both women and men. A continuum conceptualization has potential implications for investigating the prevalence of nonheterosexuals, sexual-orientation differences in gender nonconformity, causes of sexual orientation, and political issues. </jats:p>
  • Access State: Open Access