More Convincing Data
The paper by Byne et al. (2001) has more convincing data on the relationship between the anatomy of the brain and an individual’s sexual orientation than that of LeVay (1991) due to several reasons. First, Byne’s study recruited a larger sample size than that of LeVay, meaning that the findings are more credible and representative of the population. Second, the paper by Byne et al. (2001) not only studied the volume of the various interstitial nuclei of the human anterior hypothalamus (INAH 1 to INAH 4), but also focused on investigating if the cell number in the various nuclei has an active role to play in influencing the sexual orientation in humans. Third, although the study by Byne et al. (2001) reinforced LeVay’s findings that INAH 3 is sexually dimorphic by virtue of having a large volume in heterosexual men than heterosexual women and homosexual men, their findings are more convincing due to the interest taken by the researchers to compare them against other research studies on the topic. Lastly, the paper by Byne et al. (2001) has more convincing data based on the extensive elucidation of how statistical analyses were conducted to reach the conclusions made.
Personal Perspective
Drawing from the articles by Byne et al. (2001) and LeVay (1991), it is justifiable to say that brain anatomy plays a significant role in influencing the sexual orientation of an individual. Although the two studies have several limitations that may influence the findings, it is clear that the volume of INAH 3 is large in straight men than it is in straight women and homosexual men. This nucleus is found in the hypothalamus, which produces many of the body’s vital hormones that are responsible for controlling diverse cells and organs. Owing to the fact that the hormones produced by the hypothalamus preside over a multiplicity of physiologic functions including sex drive, it is possible to use the noted volume/size differences in INAH 3 to explain variations in sexual orientation. The rationale for believing in this perspective is based on the fact that both studies found significant differences in the volume of INAH 3 among straight men and homosexual men, implying that the large volume of INAH 3 and its capacity to carry more neurons could be responsible for influencing sexual orientation in humans (Byne et al., 2001). However, more research studies need to be done to determine how this section of the brain behaves when a person is sexually aroused to determine if INAH 3 is responsible for sexual orientation.
Proposed Experiment
Since comprehensive brain scans are possible using contemporary technology, the experiment can be set around investigating how the INAH nuclei in the human hypothalamus react upon exposure to sexually implicit content. The experiment can recruit heterosexual men, heterosexual women and homosexual men, who are then divided into experimental and control groups. Brain scans are then conducted prior to the experiment, after which the different sets of the control group (homosexual men, heterosexual women and heterosexual men) are exposed to sexually implicit material such as adult movies (gay movies for homosexual men and heterosexual sex movies for straight men and women) in their normal environments to control for factors such as fear and anxiety. Routine scans of the brain are taken after each exposure for a period of six months. Participants in the control group are exposed to general movies and measures taken after each exposure. The brain scan measures are then analyzed and compared to note how the hypothalamus and the various nuclei behaved after each sexual exposure. Although such a study is unethical, its findings could be used to determine if brain anatomy is responsible for influencing an individual’s sexual orientation.
References
Byne, W., Tobet, S., Mattiace, L.A., Lasco, M.S., Kemether, E., Edgar, M.A.,…Jones, L.B. (2001). The interstitial nuclei of the human anterior hypothalamus: An investigation of variation with sex, sexual orientation, and HIV status. Hormones and Behavior, 40(2), 86-92.
LeVay, S. (1991). A difference in hypothalamic structure between heterosexual and homosexual men. Science, 253(5023), pp. 1034-1037.