Table 1.3

Sex - Basic Aspects of Human Sexuality

Matters of Degree: Table 1.3

Sexual Orientation

  • Sexual orientation is defined as a person's heterosexuality or homosexuality. It is determined on the basis of preference for sexual partners.

  • People are heterosexual or homosexual to the degree in which they are erotically attracted to partners of the other or same sex.
    Most individuals develop a clear erotic preference for partners of the other sex (heterosexuality).

  • However, a minority are erotically attracted to both women and men (bisexuality), and an even smaller minority are attracted mainly to partners of their own sex (homosexuality).