Are Bisexual Women More Like Men? New study suggests surprising similarities
Thursday, July 18, 2024.
As a science-based couples therapist, I find it fascinating to explore how different personality traits and behaviors manifest across various sexual orientations.
A recent study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior has revealed that bisexual women exhibit personality traits and sexual behaviors more similar to heterosexual men than to heterosexual women. Let's explore this intriguing research.
The Dark Triad and Sexual Behavior
The study focused on the "Dark Triad" personality traits—narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism—which are typically higher in males. These traits are linked to a greater openness to casual sex.
On the flip side, females generally exhibit higher sexual inhibition and lower levels of sexual excitation, making them more cautious about casual sex.
Key Findings: Bisexual Women and the Dark Triad
Bisexual Women and Dark Traits: The research found that bisexual women, as well as mostly heterosexual women, scored higher in traits like psychopathy and showed greater openness to casual sex, similar to heterosexual men.
This pattern was not observed in exclusively homosexual women, indicating distinct differences within the spectrum of sexual orientations.
How The Study Was Conducted
Participants: 2,047 undergraduate students from two Canadian universities participated in the study. The sample included 1,474 females and 573 males, with an average age of around 21 years.
Method: Participants completed questionnaires assessing their personality traits, sexual behaviors, and sexual orientation. The researchers used the Kinsey scale to classify participants' sexual orientations from exclusive heterosexuality to exclusive homosexuality.
Results: The findings confirmed that males generally scored higher in all three Dark Triad traits and showed greater sociosexuality (interest in casual sex) and sexual excitation. Females reported higher sexual inhibition, fearing negative consequences such as being judged or contracting sexually transmitted infections.
Interesting Gender Differences:
Females: Mostly heterosexual and bisexual females showed elevated levels of sociosexuality and sexual excitation compared to exclusively heterosexual females. They also scored higher in psychopathy.
Males: Mostly heterosexual males showed higher levels of sexual excitation than exclusively heterosexual males. Homosexual males exhibited higher sexual inhibition, aligning more closely with female-typical patterns.
Evolutionary Psychology Insights
The study's findings align with the earlier "sex-shift" hypothesis by (Rahman, et al. 2020), suggesting that non-heterosexual humans might exhibit traits and behaviors more typical of the opposite sex. This research highlights the complexity and diversity within sexual orientation groups, challenging the idea of a simple continuum.
Questions to Ponder
Why do bisexual women exhibit more male-like traits?
Could it be that these traits help them navigate a society that often pressures folks to conform to heterosexual norms?
How do personality traits influence sexual behavior?
Traits like psychopathy might make folks less concerned about social judgments, leading to a greater openness to casual sex, and potentially more conflicts as a result.
What does this mean for understanding sexual orientation?
The findings suggest that mostly heterosexual and bisexual humans form distinct groups with unique traits, necessitating tailored theories to understand them better. If this study has legs, this might be a back-to-the drawing-board moment for neuroscience.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the links between sexual orientation, personality traits, and sexual behaviors can help us develop more accurate theories and provide better support for folks across the sexual orientation spectrum. Previous research has discussed cultural bias against bisexual women. Perhaps this research is a step forward in informing that bias.
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
RESEARCH:
Rahman, Q., Marchewka, A., Wypych, M., Droździel, D., Sokołowski, A., & Dragan, W. Ł. (2020). Male sexual orientation, gender nonconformity, and neural activity during mental rotations: An fMRI study. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-74886-
Semenyna, S. W., Vasey, P. L., & Honey, P. L. (2024). Sex and Sexual Orientation Differences in Dark Triad Traits, Sexual Excitation/Inhibition, and Sociosexuality. Archives of Sexual Behavior.
