Christopher Siters

PSYCH 100 section 610

WEB
Dr Dawood
916564997
Prosociality and a Sociosexual Hypothesis for the Evolution of Same-Sex Attraction in Humans

Same-sex sexual attraction has been observed in a surprising number of species around

the world, though the exact mechanisms and reasoning behind this trait are far from being

understood. For a time, same-sex sexual attraction and same-sex sexual relationships were a

more or less “normal”, socially acceptable behavior. Looking back to the ancient Greeks and

Romans, homosexual activities were culturally beneficial but as the rise of Christianity

continued, these practices became taboo. Now that the negative repercussions of homosexual

activities are much milder than previously, there has been an uptick in the norm of same-sex

sexual attraction. With that being said, the debate about the origins and purpose of this trait are

still not understood, but steps are being made to at least refute prior, usually bigoted, theories to

make room new research.

This article is largely proposing that same-sex sexual attraction evolved as a means of

prosociality in peer groups. The logic behind this hypothesis is that having both hetero- and

homosexual relationships is a key way to developing a cohesive sense of belonging and

cooperation. Studies have sought to find a genetic factor to explain this and believe there is

evidence of a genetic basis for same-sex sexual attraction and the heritability of this trait. The

prevalence of same-sex sexual attraction in various species, geographical areas, etc., provides

support to the fact that this trait is not simply a random reoccurring mutation. This would have to

be a stable polymorphism present in the human genome for the phenomenon to continue despite

the fact that same-sex sexual attractions do not provide biological longevity via procreation but

do provide some positive outcome psychosocially that has an indirect effect on biology. Since
Prosociality and a Sociosexual Hypothesis for the Evolution of Same-Sex Attraction in Humans

same-sex sexual attraction does not directly result in viable reproduction, this means that the

individuals who do engage in heterosexual reproduction would still pass on this genetic

polymorphism for homosexual tendencies. The continuation of same-sex sexual attraction

appears to be an expansion of the social functions of sexual interactions. Some explanations are

that same-sex sexual behavior has been linked to issues such as reinforcement of social

dominance structure, appeasement and pacification, and stress-reduction.

It is theorized that same-sex sexual attraction is just one in a suite of traits that have

evolved as a result of prosociality. Other traits in this suite include, but are not limited to:

reduced aggression and aggression reactivity, extended cognitive developmental periods,

juvenilization of facial features, and cooperative play behavior and communication-capacity.

These traits are beneficial in the ability to socially bond and reduce intragroup conflict, as well as

benefitting alliance formation and maintenance.

A prior hypothesis suggested that same-sex sexual attraction was a maladaptation and

resulted due to endocrine issues. However, testing has not shown any link between same-sex

behaviors and hormonal imbalances. This is not entirely incorrect in the sense that the human

neurochemical profile is unique among primates, with elevated levels of dopamine, serotonin,

and neuropeptide Y signaling; evolutionary changes in serotonin, oxytocin, and androgen

systems that regulate threat and aggressive behavior are possibly linked to so-called “self-

domestication” (recent human evolution arising from natural selection in prosocial behavior).
Prosociality and a Sociosexual Hypothesis for the Evolution of Same-Sex Attraction in Humans

I found this article very interesting from an evolutionary psychological perspective. The

article did a good job at presenting other hypotheses and explaining why these models are

insufficient in some aspect or just plainly unverifiable based on current research, such as the

hormonal imbalance; something like that may have been innovative when it was first proposed,

however medical testing can measure hormone levels and I have not seen any research that has

linked certain hormone levels to same-sex behavior. I think that the prosociality approach seems

like a very logical explanation. Again, since same-sex sexual attraction and behavior have no

direct biological advantage in the sense of reproduction and continuation of the species, however

it does seem to provide a direct psychosocial advantage by creating and reinforcing social group

bonding. This is supported by the fact that females seem to prefer males who do engage in same-

sex sexual behavior because of the lessened intensity and investment of males in sociosexual

control of females. All of this is also supported by Kinsey’s research into the human sexuality

spectrum and the fact that absolutely hetero- or absolutely homo- individuals are rare, and that

most people seem to express same-sex sexual attraction to some varying degree.
 References

Barron AB and Hare B (2020) Prosociality and a Sociosexual Hypothesis for the Evolution of

Same-Sex Attraction in Humans. Front. Psychol. 10:2955.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02955