Gay, Straight, and the Reason Why: The Science of Sexual Orientation (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780190297374)

What causes a child to grow up gay or straight? Neuroscientist Simon LeVay summarizes a wealth of scientific evidence that points to one inescapable conclusion: Sexual orientation results primarily from an interaction between genes, sex hormones, and the cells of the developing body and brain. LeVay takes the reader on a whirlwind tour of laboratories that specialize in genetics, endocrinology, neuroscience, cognitive psychology, evolutionary psychology, and family demographics. He describes, for instance, how researchers have manipulated the sex hormone levels of animals during development, causing them to mate preferentially with animals of their own gender. In this second edition, LeVay adds a chapter on bisexuality, reviews some uncommon forms of sexuality, and considers whether there could be a biological basis for subtypes of gay people such as "butch" and "femme" lesbians.

Author: Simon LeVay
ISBN-10: 0190297379
ISBN-13: 9780190297374
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Language: English
Published: 09/01/2016
Pages: 264
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.70lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.10w x 0.60d