Pt 3
Part Two
In the previous article, advantages to being homosexual was explored from a evolutionary or survival of the species point of view. As homosexuality appears to be an enduring characteristic of the human species, it must provide a biological advantage. The advantage may be that an individual without the desire to reproduce ensures the survival of his or her genetic characteristics by playing a role in the raising of their nieces and nephews. The advantage to homosexuality may be with the genes that not only control sexual orientation but also control other characteristics or traits conducive to survival.
What are the traits that seem to be associated with homosexuality? Studies of personality makeup of homosexual males have demonstrated clearly that there are no distinguishing characteristics. That is, contrary to the mistaken belief that homosexuals are 'neurotic' and unstable, in fact they are no different from heterosexual males in terms of emotional stability. Before discussing biologically controlled attributes that distinguish homosexuals, a brief discussion is necessary about some of the differences between heterosexual males and females.
The brain is a complicated organ of six billion neurons with many specialized areas of function. Generally speaking, the brain can be divided into right and left hemispheres each with unique functions, although there is a very extensive connecting system that allows the hemispheres to "talk to each other", integrating the activity of both. The left hemisphere or left brain is referred to as the dominant hemisphere, that is, it controls handiness as well as other very important functions such as language, speech, integrative thought and complex memory, that distinguishes humans from other mammals including primates. Because of a unique characteristic of the brain which involves crossover of major connections, the left brain being dominant in most individuals means the right hand, foot and eye, are also dominant or preferred in most activities. The right hemisphere or right brain controls visual and spatial functions such as the manipulation of tools, reading maps, orienteering and so on. Because of the cross-over phenomenon, the left hand, foot and eye are non-dominant. About 10-12% of the population are left handed meaning that the brain has been reorganised with reversed or mixed dominance (the right brain instead of left is more involved with language functions).
Extensive studies over the years in the area of neuropsychology have demonstrated that females as a group are very much "left brain" with strengths in the area of language functions. The average female brain seems overall to be less specialized so that some control of language function also rests in the right hemisphere and there is a greater number of connections between the right and left side, meaning
overall a much more efficient brain. (Sorry, guys!) The average male brain, although proportionately larger, is highly specialized with less interconnecting pathways, and the average male is very 'right brained' with strengths in the area of visual-spatial activity, but less efficient overall. It needs to be emphasized that this is a comment on the average male or female. There are, of course, many females who can outdo males on visual-spatial tasks and many males who excel more than females in language abilities.
Testosterone, the male hormone, plays an important role in brain development in the fetus. Specific genes called Testes Determining Factor allow the growth of male sex organs in a fetus which in turn produce testosterone. The presence of testosterone at critical periods allow the development in a male fetus of appropriate physical characteristics, gender (awareness of being male) and also may play a role in the development of sexual orientation. The presence of testosterone also 'masculinizes' the brain-controlling the development of right brain qualities as well as other typical male behaviours.
Neuropsychological studies assessing the biological aspects of brain function have shown that homosexual males have a shift in neuropsychological attributes that places them somewhere between heterosexual males and females. This has been confirmed by observational studies that show that homosexual males are less "rough and tough", tend to avoid contact sports (only 11% of homosexual males enjoy sports versus 70% of heterosexual males) and are more likely to engage in more typical female nurturing play as children. Differences between homosexual and heterosexual males is reinforced by neuroanatomical studies of the brain. For example, an area of the brain called the corpus callosum, the main connecting area between the two great hemispheres of the brain appears to be larger in homosexual males than heterosexual males. Other differences, in brain structure exist as well but are beyond the focus of this article.
Of interest, left-handedness is much more common in male homosexuals than in the general male population, suggesting that in some homosexuals at least, there is either mixed or shifted dominance. This means the left hemisphere is more involved with language functions, although the right hemisphere also plays a role, and overall this is more like the left brain organization seen in females.
This means that the average homosexual male probably has a more efficient brain in terms of hemispheric communication, and has either left and right brain strengths or attributes. The average male heterosexual has the more specialized attributes of a right brain, which is less efficient. The average female heterosexual has a more efficient brain that is less specialized with strong left brain attributes. Although there is less study in this area, the right and left brain advantage is probably also true for female homosexuals.
Part Two
In the previous article, advantages to being homosexual was explored from a evolutionary or survival of the species point of view. As homosexuality appears to be an enduring characteristic of the human species, it must provide a biological advantage. The advantage may be that an individual without the desire to reproduce ensures the survival of his or her genetic characteristics by playing a role in the raising of their nieces and nephews. The advantage to homosexuality may be with the genes that not only control sexual orientation but also control other characteristics or traits conducive to survival.
What are the traits that seem to be associated with homosexuality? Studies of personality makeup of homosexual males have demonstrated clearly that there are no distinguishing characteristics. That is, contrary to the mistaken belief that homosexuals are 'neurotic' and unstable, in fact they are no different from heterosexual males in terms of emotional stability. Before discussing biologically controlled attributes that distinguish homosexuals, a brief discussion is necessary about some of the differences between heterosexual males and females.
The brain is a complicated organ of six billion neurons with many specialized areas of function. Generally speaking, the brain can be divided into right and left hemispheres each with unique functions, although there is a very extensive connecting system that allows the hemispheres to "talk to each other", integrating the activity of both. The left hemisphere or left brain is referred to as the dominant hemisphere, that is, it controls handiness as well as other very important functions such as language, speech, integrative thought and complex memory, that distinguishes humans from other mammals including primates. Because of a unique characteristic of the brain which involves crossover of major connections, the left brain being dominant in most individuals means the right hand, foot and eye, are also dominant or preferred in most activities. The right hemisphere or right brain controls visual and spatial functions such as the manipulation of tools, reading maps, orienteering and so on. Because of the cross-over phenomenon, the left hand, foot and eye are non-dominant. About 10-12% of the population are left handed meaning that the brain has been reorganised with reversed or mixed dominance (the right brain instead of left is more involved with language functions).
Extensive studies over the years in the area of neuropsychology have demonstrated that females as a group are very much "left brain" with strengths in the area of language functions. The average female brain seems overall to be less specialized so that some control of language function also rests in the right hemisphere and there is a greater number of connections between the right and left side, meaning
overall a much more efficient brain. (Sorry, guys!) The average male brain, although proportionately larger, is highly specialized with less interconnecting pathways, and the average male is very 'right brained' with strengths in the area of visual-spatial activity, but less efficient overall. It needs to be emphasized that this is a comment on the average male or female. There are, of course, many females who can outdo males on visual-spatial tasks and many males who excel more than females in language abilities.
Testosterone, the male hormone, plays an important role in brain development in the fetus. Specific genes called Testes Determining Factor allow the growth of male sex organs in a fetus which in turn produce testosterone. The presence of testosterone at critical periods allow the development in a male fetus of appropriate physical characteristics, gender (awareness of being male) and also may play a role in the development of sexual orientation. The presence of testosterone also 'masculinizes' the brain-controlling the development of right brain qualities as well as other typical male behaviours.
Neuropsychological studies assessing the biological aspects of brain function have shown that homosexual males have a shift in neuropsychological attributes that places them somewhere between heterosexual males and females. This has been confirmed by observational studies that show that homosexual males are less "rough and tough", tend to avoid contact sports (only 11% of homosexual males enjoy sports versus 70% of heterosexual males) and are more likely to engage in more typical female nurturing play as children. Differences between homosexual and heterosexual males is reinforced by neuroanatomical studies of the brain. For example, an area of the brain called the corpus callosum, the main connecting area between the two great hemispheres of the brain appears to be larger in homosexual males than heterosexual males. Other differences, in brain structure exist as well but are beyond the focus of this article.
Of interest, left-handedness is much more common in male homosexuals than in the general male population, suggesting that in some homosexuals at least, there is either mixed or shifted dominance. This means the left hemisphere is more involved with language functions, although the right hemisphere also plays a role, and overall this is more like the left brain organization seen in females.
This means that the average homosexual male probably has a more efficient brain in terms of hemispheric communication, and has either left and right brain strengths or attributes. The average male heterosexual has the more specialized attributes of a right brain, which is less efficient. The average female heterosexual has a more efficient brain that is less specialized with strong left brain attributes. Although there is less study in this area, the right and left brain advantage is probably also true for female homosexuals.
