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trishran
Skeptic Friend
USA
196 Posts |
 Posted - 07/05/2005 : 12:14:33
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Today's NY Times published an interesting report on bisexuality. It seems that there may not be true male bisexuals - those men who self report bi-sexuality have physical responses either to males alone [75%] or females [25%], whereas females who identify themselves as bi tend to have phsyical arousal to both men and women.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/05/health/05sex.html?th&emc=th
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trish |
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beskeptigal
SFN Die Hard
USA
3834 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2005 : 01:46:16 [Permalink]
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quote:
In the experiment, psychologists at Northwestern University and the Center for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto used advertisements in gay and alternative newspapers to recruit 101 young adult men. Thirty-three of the men identified themselves as bisexual, 30 as straight and 38 as homosexual.
Not a very big sample there. I wouldn't go to the bank just yet. Nor do I care either, (about the study, not the thread). What was the point of the study? |
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woolytoad
Skeptic Friend
313 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2005 : 01:59:08 [Permalink]
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| It's 'sexy' and thus they got funding to do it? |
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Cuneiformist
The Imperfectionist
USA
4955 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2005 : 03:35:39 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by beskeptigal
quote:
In the experiment, psychologists at Northwestern University and the Center for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto used advertisements in gay and alternative newspapers to recruit 101 young adult men. Thirty-three of the men identified themselves as bisexual, 30 as straight and 38 as homosexual.
Not a very big sample there. I wouldn't go to the bank just yet. Nor do I care either, (about the study, not the thread). What was the point of the study?
Right, Beskeptigal. The two main objections were the sample size and also the meausure-- basically, they had 70 guys watch some porn and measure how erect they got when the porn was all-female vs. all-male. The people proclaiming hetero were hard largely with the all-female, while the bi- and homo- were hard largely with the all-male. But is the hardness of one's penis the only way to measure this sort of thing? As one self-proclaimed bi- noted, while he enjoys both males and females, he much prefers females for relationships. So if he's less hard watching all-female porn, does that accurately measure everything?
As for reasons, I think that trying to get to the bottom of human sexuality is a big enough question to merit studying the nature of bi- versus hetero- and homosexuatlity, no? |
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Siberia
SFN Addict
Brazil
2322 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2005 : 06:08:24 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by beskeptigal
quote:
In the experiment, psychologists at Northwestern University and the Center for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto used advertisements in gay and alternative newspapers to recruit 101 young adult men. Thirty-three of the men identified themselves as bisexual, 30 as straight and 38 as homosexual.
Not a very big sample there. I wouldn't go to the bank just yet. Nor do I care either, (about the study, not the thread). What was the point of the study?
I think they do this sort of study because, if a natural source to sexuality is identified there will be no excuse to refuse homosexual people their rights. |
"Why are you afraid of something you're not even sure exists?"
- The Kovenant, Via Negativa
"People who don't like their beliefs being laughed at shouldn't have such funny beliefs."
-- unknown
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beskeptigal
SFN Die Hard
USA
3834 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2005 : 11:44:15 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Siberia
I think they do this sort of study because, if a natural source to sexuality is identified there will be no excuse to refuse homosexual people their rights.
If??? Or did you mean when? Somehow I doubt facts will change the minds of those idiot gay bashers any time soon. |
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Siberia
SFN Addict
Brazil
2322 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2005 : 15:21:38 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by beskeptigal
quote:
Originally posted by Siberia
I think they do this sort of study because, if a natural source to sexuality is identified there will be no excuse to refuse homosexual people their rights.
If??? Or did you mean when? Somehow I doubt facts will change the minds of those idiot gay bashers any time soon.
Well [cough] I was trying to be neutral and all, but yeah, when  Dunno, knowing for the sake of knowing. |
"Why are you afraid of something you're not even sure exists?"
- The Kovenant, Via Negativa
"People who don't like their beliefs being laughed at shouldn't have such funny beliefs."
-- unknown
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Tim
SFN Regular
USA
775 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2005 : 17:21:07 [Permalink]
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I can't access the NY Times from this computer, but I heard some bits and peices about this study from other sources. This thing seems to have holes big enough to drive a truck through. (I'll look into it more when I'm able.)
Anyway, the media's knack for reporting on and pandering to sexual curiousity appears to be endless. I would think most people would get the message, or at least admit to it. These stories are popular because they're titillating. This stuff sells copy and air time.
I don't believe there's an agenda for most folks. I just think they like it. It arouses something in them that they don't experience very often--Or often enough. |
"We got an issue in America. Too many good docs are gettin' out of business. Too many OB/GYNs aren't able to practice their -- their love with women all across this country." Dubya in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, 9/6/2004
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marfknox
SFN Die Hard
USA
3739 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2005 : 23:24:22 [Permalink]
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I was pretty offended by that story, especially the title "Straight, Gay or Lying", which is a common slanderous joke that gays tell about bisexuals. Several bisexual friends of mine have complained that it is nearly impossible to get respect from the gay community while being openly bi. Just look at how Lesbian media responded to the movie "Chasing Amy". That wonderful film about a strong bisexual woman was slandered as "a straight man's fantasy".
I agree with all the above criticism of the actual science of the study. Indeed, the sample was limited and the measure for sexual orientation was extremely narrow.
But worse than anything, because the paper wanted to publish a "sexy" story, now gays and straights alike have more ammo with which to harass bisexuals. The author of the story showed incredible ignorance in response to criticism about the title of the article. He said, "But gays use that joke all the time."
Because, you know, gays and bisexuals are the same thing, right?
Fucking wanker. |
"Too much certainty and clarity could lead to cruel intolerance" -Karen Armstrong
Check out my art store: http://www.marfknox.etsy.com
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| Edited by - marfknox on 07/09/2005 23:26:19 |
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marfknox
SFN Die Hard
USA
3739 Posts |
Posted - 07/25/2005 : 15:14:52 [Permalink]
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I wrote a letter complaining about the science of the study and the title being crass and inappropriate. Below is the response I got. (And for the record - in my letter of complaint I didn't even mention Dr. Bailey. But they sent me a form response, so it sounds like I did.)
Dear Reader:
Thank you for your note regarding "Straight, Gay or Lying? Bisexuality Revisited" (Science Times, July 5, 2005).
A number of readers and advocacy groups have expressed concerns about the article. We have re-read the article and find it a balanced discussion of a new study on bisexuality. The article noted that the study was small and that more research was needed before scientists could draw clear conclusions. But the study was also accepted by one of the most stringently peer-reviewed journals and was intriguing enough in its implications be newsworthy.
We have also re-examined the background of the senior author of the bisexuality paper, J. Michael Bailey. While Dr. Bailey has a record of controversial writings, his scientific research is considered sound by other scientists in the field, and we have found no evidence of any ethical
violations.
Specifically, some critics allege that Dr. Bailey was forced to step down as chairman of the psychology department of Northwestern University in 2004 for violating research ethics. According to Alan Cubbage, a spokesman for Northwestern, Dr. Bailey's resignation was not related to any inquiry into ethical violations or research misconduct.
Some reports also say that Dr. Bailey belongs to a "eugenics think tank," the Human Biodiversity Institute. In fact the institute is a private e-mail group that includes scientists and public intellectuals who discuss a wide range of issues, according to people who are familiar with the group. Dr. Bailey is a member. Dr. Bailey published a book about gender and biology in 2003, "The Man Who Would Be Queen," which angered some in the transgender community and prompted complaints about Dr. Bailey's research methods. However, the book itself is not a research study but a book primarily about others' research.
As part of the reporting for the article on bisexuality, our reporter talked to a wide range of scientists in sex research and asked about Dr.Bailey's standing as a researcher. Although not all agreed with his style, they said Dr. Bailey was a sound researcher.
Bisexuality is obviously a complex issue and an evolving area of research. The July 5 article was not our only examination of this subject and is unlikely to be our last.
Sincerely,
Allan M. Siegal
Assistant Managing Editor
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"Too much certainty and clarity could lead to cruel intolerance" -Karen Armstrong
Check out my art store: http://www.marfknox.etsy.com
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