1. Solving the Bi-Equation : Differences in Sexual Behavior and Connectedness Between Heterosexual, Bisexuals,
and Homosexuals
Timothy W. McAlister
Anthony L. Burrow, PhD.
Loyola University Chicago
Introduction Results Results Conclusion/Discussion
Purpose of Study/Prior Research One-way ANONVA analysis revealed that: Answers to extended response question indicted that:
 Although Kinsey (1948) proposed that there was a  Mostly heterosexuals has a significantly greater desire to  Participants across all sexual orientations felt that  Mostly heterosexuals and mostly homosexuals differ
continuum of sexuality, most research only asked have a romantic relationship with a member of the same religion did not have an effect on their perception of from bisexual because the two groups only consider
participants to identify as heterosexual, bisexual, or sex than completely heterosexuals (F=.484, p<.05), but no their sexual orientation or others’ sexual orientation. romantic and sexual relationships with both
homosexual. significant difference in the desire to be with someone of  Bisexual participants indicted that when they sexes, while bisexuals will actually act on their
Current research, since 2000, has shown that there is the opposite sex. disclosed their sexual orientation to others that it was romantic and sexual desire with both sexes.
reason to believe that there are greater within sexual  Mostly homosexuals had significantly more romantic often met with negative responses. Participants stated  It could be possible that mostly heterosexuals and
orientation differences and greater variance of how feelings for members of the opposite sex that completely that most people felt that they were confused about mostly homosexuals are the transient sexual
individuals identify with their sexuality: homosexuals. (F=.760, p<.05) their sexual orientation or simply homosexual and in orientations, and bisexuality is a concrete and
 Bisexuals across gender identify as transient bisexuals  Mostly heterosexuals had no significant difference with hiding. These responses made participants hesitate to preeminent sexual orientation.
and permanent bisexuals. Bisexuals that are transient completely heterosexuals in engaging in a romantic  Mostly heterosexual and most homosexual might be
come out on anymore individuals.
relationship or anal/vaginal sex with a member of the what is commonly thought of as “bi-curious.”
have greater feelings that sexuality is fluid. (Brewster  Completely homosexual participants indicted that
opposite sex, but they had significantly more oral sex with
and Moradi, 2010; Tabatabi, 2010). homosexual that projected typically gender traits  Disclosure for completely homosexuals has increased
members of the same sex. (F=-.325, p<.05)
 Bisexuals have lower levels of connectedness to family often faced less discrimination and prejudice. and is not significant different from completely
 No sexual differences were found between mostly
and religion than completely heterosexual and mostly Homosexuals that did not conform to stereotypical heterosexuals. This shows that social stigma around
homosexual and completely homosexuals, but mostly
heterosexuals. (Saweyc et al, 2009). homosexuals indicted that in the future that they would gender roles and traits experience ridicule and homophobia might be significantly less that when
 Within homosexual women, differences in gender like to have romantic and sexual relationships with both prejudice. sexuality when studied a decade ago.
identity created differences in connectedness and sexes.  Completely homosexual participants indicted that  Bisexuals and completely homosexuals have
disclosure. (Rosario et al, 2006).  Bisexuals scored high in consideration and actual when they displayed typical gender role behavior significantly different trends in sexual
manifestations of romantic and sexual relationships with they were often perceived as completely behavior, romantic relationships, disclosure, and
Hypothesis both sexes. heterosexual. connectedness to others. This would imply that
When given the option to identify as a sexual orientation  No significant differences in disclosure to a female parent  Completely homosexual, completely research were bisexual and homosexual data is
outside of the three most prominent sexual orientations, a across sexual orientations. heterosexual, and bisexual participants feel that combined could be skewed and inconsistent.
significant number of participants will choose mostly  Mostly homosexuals disclosed their sexual orientation to a sexual orientation is fixed. Mostly homosexual and  By not presenting sexuality along a
heterosexual or mostly homosexual. male parent significantly less than all other sexual mostly heterosexual participants feel that sexual continuum, significant within group differences are
Most heterosexual and mostly homosexuals will show orientations. orientation is fluid. not being presented in empirical research.
differences in connectedness to others and in sexual  Completely heterosexual and completely homosexuals  Participants across all sexual orientations feel that a  Bisexuals, mostly homosexuals, and mostly
behavior, thus making them as separate sexual orientation. had no significant differences on feelings on overall well- woman’s sexuality is naturally fluid. heterosexuals could have lower levels of self-esteem
All sexual orientations will show significant within group being and self-esteem. Bisexual, mostly heterosexual, and  Completely heterosexual and completely homosexual and feelings of well-being because of bi-phobia.
variance with respect to gender identity, disclosure rates, mostly homosexual participants had significant lower participants define their sexual orientation by their
and sexual behavior. rating of overall well-being and self-esteem than partner’s sex, while mostly homosexual, mostly
completely heterosexuals and completely homosexuals. heterosexual, and bisexual define their sexual
orientation by their partner’s gender identity.
Methods 120
References
Participants  Brewster, M & Moradi, B. (2010). Preceived
 209 emerging adults (Heterosexual=118, Mostly Experiences of Anti-Bisexual Prejudice: Instrument
100 Development and Evaluation. Journal of Counseling
Heterosexual=22, Bisexual=18, Mostly
Homosexual=12, and Completely Homosexual=39. Psychology, 57, 451-68.
80  Rosario, M et al. (2009). Are the Butch/Feminine
Column1
Procedure Differences in Sexual Identity Development? Archives
Women
Participants were asked to complete a baseline 60 of Sexual Behavior, 38, 34-49.
Men
questionnaire via the internet on:  Saweyc, E et al. (209). Protective Factors in the Lives
 Sexual Behavior- 40 of Bisexual Adolescent in North America. American
Participants were asked to answer questions about Journal of Public Health, 991, 110-117.
preferences for sexual partners, sexual debut age, current 20  Tabatabi, A. (2010). Protecting the Lesbian border:
sexual habits, and future sexual plans. The tension between individual and communal
 Connectedness in Personal Relationships- 0 authenticity. Sexualities, 13, 563-81.
Participants were asked a series of questions about Competely Heterosexual Mostly Heterosexual Bisexual Mostly Homosexual Competely Homosexal
individuals that they did or did not disclose their sexual
identity to and how connected they felt to those
individuals.
Five participants from each sexual orientation category Bisexual Less
were randomly selected to participate in a follow up
extended response/qualitative survey. Participant would Phobia Disclosure
answer questions that related to questions that were asked Acknowledgements
in the baseline survey and questions that asked about  I would first and foremost like to thank all of the
fluidity of sexuality and within group and between group participants that completed the study. The study
perceptions of sexual orientations. required participants to disclose some sensitive
information, and I would like to thank those who
were willing to share to help with the advancement
Lower Feelings of this study.
of Acceptance Less  I would also like to thank Dr. Anthony L. Burrow. I
have truly enjoyed working with my faculty mentor
and Well-Being Connectedness for the past three years. He is a brilliant professor
and a great man.