Heterosexuality

Heterosexuality is the scientific name for sexual attraction and/or sexual behaviour between animals of the opposite characteristic sex. It is the fourth element of the classic quinto-modal continuum of sexual oriention, which consists of asexuality, autosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, and heterosexuality. Some theorists extend the continuum to include such concepts as "mechosexuality" and "allosexuality," but these have not yet been accepted by the academic community as actual sexual orientations.

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Note that if one of the animals involved in the sexual attraction and/or behaviour is intersex, or (more rarely) of indeterminable characteristic sex - and particularly if the sexual attraction and/or behaviour involves something other than another animal (e.g., sexual behaviour between an animal and a plant) - the attraction and/or behaviour cannot be classified quadrimodally as heterosexual, homosexual, etc. People who cannot be classified as "male" or "female" cannot have any sexual orientation as that concept is currently constructed; thus, their sexual behaviour cannot be heterosexual, homosexual, though certain types of behaviour can always be classified as autosexual.

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Sexual impulses in humans are generally thought to be the product of genetic, chemical, behavioural, sometimes other factors that produce an erotic desire that is generally trained to a particular sexual orientation. However, sexual behaviour routinely is not correlated to an individual's actual or declared sexual orientation.

Related Topics:
Genetic - Chemical - Behavioural - Erotic - Desire

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Heterosexuality is usually contrasted with homosexuality and sometimes bisexuality. Current trends in psychology suggest heterosexuality and homosexuality may exist on a non-modal continuum rather than as discrete entities. Thus, views on heterosexuality are divided among those who hold that heterosexuality is a concrete idea of attraction towards the opposite sex, versus those that hold that heterosexuality is more fluid.

Related Topics:
Homosexuality - Bisexuality - Psychology - Continuum

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Heterosexualism is sometimes used as a synonym for heterosexuality.

Related Topics:
Heterosexualism - Synonym

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In the animal kingdom, the vast majority of sexual reproduction results from heterosexual coitus between sexually mature partners. However, many modern psychologists hold that sexuality in humans is a larger term than originally thought, encompassing more complex behaviors. Given the tension between the biological definition of heterosexuality and the modern psychological definition of heterosexuality, political and sociological discussions of the subject are often difficult.

Related Topics:
Animal - Sexual reproduction - Coitus - Sexuality

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