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Sexual Orientation

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Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science

Synonyms

Orientation; Sexual preference

Definition

Sexual orientations are enduring patterns of sexual attraction.

Introduction

Sexual motivation is central to some of our strongest emotions and deepest commitments. Its influence is so pervasive that many of our actions would be incomprehensible without taking it into account. Although the complexity of human sexuality should not be underestimated, it can be reasonably hypothesized that one of the main reasons people are so motivated by sex is because they experience sexual activities as highly rewarding. From an evolutionary perspective, the motivating nature of sexual experience is best explained as an adaptation for ensuring successful reproduction.

Evolutionarily speaking, one would predict that most women would prefer to have sex with men, and most men would prefer to have sex with women. This is precisely what is observed: although a significant number of individuals also report bisexual and homosexual attractions and...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA

    Adam Safron

Authors
  1. Adam Safron
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Correspondence to Adam Safron .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, USA

    Todd K. Shackelford

  2. Rochester, Michigan, USA

    Viviana A. Weekes-Shackelford

Section Editor information

  1. Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA

    Tara DeLecce

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Safron, A. (2018). Sexual Orientation. In: Shackelford, T., Weekes-Shackelford, V. (eds) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_204-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_204-2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-16999-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-16999-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

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Chapter history

  1. Latest

    Sexual Orientation
    Published:
    17 August 2018

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_204-2

  2. Original

    Sexual Orientation
    Published:
    26 May 2018

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_204-1

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