SEXUAL PREFERENCE AND ALTRUISM

Several hypotheses have been offered to explain homosexuality. This st udy tests the prediction of the sociobiological model that male homose xuals should be more altruistic than heterosexuals. Subjects were dich otomized into homosexual (N = 76) and heterosexual (N = 51) groups on the basis of self-reported sexual feelings and behaviors. Both groups provided demographic information and completed Hogan's Empathy Scale. As predicted, the homosexuals were found to score significantly higher on the empathy assessment. Given the strong association between empat hy and altruism, the sociobiological model was supported.