A cross-cultural investigation of a male-male competition hypothesis regarding the evolution of male homosexual behavior was conducted using the Human Relations Area Files Probability Sample. Nine predictions pertaining to the incidence of homosexual behavior within cultures and consequences of the male-male competition hypothesis were tested. In addition, statistical control procedures were incorporated so as to evaluate the predicted relationships while minimizing bias. Seven of the nine predicted relationships received at least tentative support from the analyses, with two relationships receiving unqualified support. Of particular importance was the strong, positive correlation between the level of male homosexual behavior within cultures and the degree of polygyny within those cultures. Two predictions based on other proposed models for the evolution of homosexual behavior (kin-selection and bonding) resulted in non-significant world-wide correlations. Thus, it is suggested that factors which universally contribute to variability in the intensity of male-male competition may produce differences in the likelihood of the expression of homosexual behavior, while the particular advantages which may accrue to the individuals involved in this behavior have yet to be identified empirically. These advantages may be specific to certain cultural and personal situations rather than being universal. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 44-11, Section: B, page: 3566. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1983.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_75231 |
| Contributors | DIZINNO, GERARD ANTHONY., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 180 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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