
Determinism of Homosexuality / Shahram Kiani
The concept of sexual orientation can be considered as a scientific concept rather than a historical one, created by modern discourse. The discussion of homosexuality, considering its cultural, psychological, social, and biological implications, is still a topic of discussion in the field of psychology, sociology, and essentially cognitive sciences.
Apart from the discussion of the rights of sexual minorities and the various postmodern perspectives on this phenomenon, the issue of it being considered a crime and disorder in the public sphere in the first world (developed countries) and its transfer to the private sphere of individuals and the acceptance and validation of the narratives of these minorities in this discourse, but from a scientific perspective (positivism), the discussion of this phenomenon still seems possible.
In this article, the attempt is to preserve the general and classic pattern of studying psychological phenomena, and the discussion is in a multi-factor model consisting of genetic (biological), psychological, and environmental factors. Although in this discussion, from the perspective of each of these factors, there are thousands of hypotheses and research that can be examined, but what we are seeking to explain is the relationship between these three factors in order to obtain a specific behavioral output, known as unconscious inhibition in same-sex individuals against their opposite sex, after the relatively high establishment of the individual’s sexual orientation. In fact, our discussion is about how the conditions are created and provided that lead to the final acquisition of this behavior by the same-sex individual in relation to the environment, genetics, and the individual’s own self.
In the discussion of psychological and social phenomena in the history of psychology, we see their examination in various schools with the underlying assumptions of that school and under the influence of their theories, and in relation to other schools of psychology. Typically, the discussion of homosexuality and its explanation within the frameworks of behaviorism, psychoanalysis, cognitive psychology, and other schools of psychological discourse can be examined, but this is a classic discussion and experts can formulate this phenomenon and analyze and explain it according to the research methods used in each school, along with the concepts and types of interpretation of psychological phenomena used in that school. Although the absence of such research is very noticeable.
Of course, considering the dominant mental approach of the writer and its proximity (phenomenological) to the subject of discussion, the attempt is made for the personal experiences of the writer, as well as their mental reflections, acquisitions, possessions, and scientific knowledge, to all contribute to the explanation of this discussion. Since in the discussion of phenomenology and epistemology, we believe in understanding the phenomenon directly, mentally, it seems to me that the perception of the discussed phenomenon is more reasonable.
Basically, because a human being steps into the realm of existence with a closed and limited circle of potential biological possessions, but the environment under the general title and its subsets of geographical, historical (historicity), society, virtual society, world of information and social networks, and the level of individual exchange with these items and phenomena, and the level of perception and lack of perception of their stimuli, resistance or facilitation against them, and considering the discussion of mind and psyche and formed mental perceptions and our mental precedence (if we believe in their existence) and the individual approach and application of rational and emotional items, and the level of action in individual behaviors, and other factors that make up the discussion of behavior, and our previous mental perceptions as individuals, including neurosociological discussions, neuropsychological discussions, and even discussions of sociology, ecology, and cultural anthropology, and biological and physiological perspectives in physiological psychology, all contribute to the formation of a participatory behavior, each of which and their relationships
The discussion of homosexuality in the sequence of individual growth and the presentation of the psychology of the growth of homosexual individuals is debatable. Although in postmodern discourse, it is not possible to limit oneself to grand narratives and, essentially, according to phenomenological theories, the personal narratives and experiences of individuals are considered as books in themselves, in addition to the commonalities that can be inferred. However, by examining the common experiences of homosexuals, a series of sequential stages of growth can be identified for sexual minorities. In this regard, considering the discussions mentioned above, it can be explained how most homosexual individuals understand that despite their physical ability, they will not be able to establish a same-sex relationship.
At first, it is necessary to provide a basic definition, but relatively clear, of homosexuality: Homosexuality is a physical, emotional, and sensual inclination with a high frequency, intensity, and repetition towards a person of the same sex. Although in many cases, there is an emphasis on the emotional and physical aspects of homosexuality and bisexuality in these individuals; to the extent that the emotional aspect of homosexuality is considered more intense and the physical aspect of bisexuality is emphasized more.
Since the process of self-awareness regarding one’s sexual orientation is shaped by social, informational, social stimuli, and perceptions of potential feedback, as well as societal norms and regulations, it seems that a specific age cannot be determined for understanding and accepting homosexuality by an individual. However, the important point is that despite gaining knowledge about homosexuality and comparing it with their own behavior, individuals may face challenges. On one hand, the pleasure derived from this relationship and the psychological and sexual satisfaction from these relationships, and on the other hand, the psychological and mental conflicts arising from it, and the mismatch of the individual’s mental perceptions with the expected social role as a member of society, are all factors that can lead to a state of instability and a paradoxical psychological-social state. Sometimes, individuals seek to establish relationships with the opposite sex, engage in therapeutic discussions, and escape from this situation (in individuals with less knowledge), and try to resolve the above-mentioned conflicts by analyzing behaviors and emphasizing homosexuality (in
Outside of the topics discussed, what is most relevant to the subject of this article is that a homosexual individual ultimately receives an emotional feeling despite efforts made to accept this phenomenon, which shocks them and causes them to become indifferent towards their heterosexual partners, despite their physical ability to have a relationship with them. This emotional divorce from the world of heterosexuals is repeatedly tested by the individual and ultimately they realize that they will not be able to have a relationship with the opposite sex, even if they are able and willing. In fact, this is the crucial point when the individual accepts themselves as a homosexual. Analyzing past events in the individual’s life and connecting these events in a sequence and reconciling contradictions and shaping their sexual orientation in the course of life is the starting point of a homosexual life. A life that is more emotionally charged and the individual’s life story takes the form of sex-love-commitment. And the important point taken from this article is based on the principle that homosexuals have come to the
The overall topic discussed in this article is about the idea that although the factors mentioned in it are involved in a person’s homosexuality, if the individual acts according to their nature and with consideration for their intense homosexual feelings, even if they are very stubborn in the face of social norms, they will go through the process of acceptance and understand the feeling of being forced and the concept of determinism in homosexuality well. Because if they try to suppress this, they will most likely face numerous psychological, social, and biological problems in their future life.
It seems that the exchange of information and sexual awareness among individuals in Western societies and the presence of the information age (the age of communication) has greatly contributed to a better understanding of one’s true sexual orientation, even in underdeveloped and developing countries. Ultimately, it is worth mentioning that this phenomenon shows that homosexuality reveals itself slowly and gradually, and with a gentle rhythm, but with great pressure, it turns the individual with initial potential for homosexuality into a stable and satisfied homosexual. Of course, it should be noted that this process only occurs in individuals who have an inherent and basic potential for homosexuality biologically, and it does not apply to non-homosexual individuals; because the natural aspect of this issue and its biological nature dominates and controls other aspects, to the extent that there is no escape from it.
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Monthly Magazine Number 42
