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Lesbian erotic role identification: behavioral, morphological, and hormonal correlates
D Singh1, M Vidaurri, R J Zambarano
1Department of Psychology, University of Texas, Austin 78712, USA. singh@psy.utexas.edu
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|July 14, 1999
Summary
Butch and femme lesbians were compared on various measures. Butch lesbians showed more male-typical traits, suggesting biological influences on lesbian identity categories.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sexuality Studies
- Endocrinology
Background:
- The validity of "butch" and "femme" roles in lesbian sexuality is debated.
- Some view these roles as social constructs, while others see them as natural expressions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the biological and behavioral differences between butch and femme lesbians.
- To assess if these identities correlate with more typical male or female characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Compared self-identified butch and femme lesbians on behavioral, morphological, and hormonal measures.
- Assessed personality traits, psychological symptoms, and recalled childhood gender-nonconformity.
Main Results:
- Butch lesbians reported more childhood gender-atypical behavior.
- Butch lesbians exhibited higher waist-to-hip ratios and testosterone levels.
- No significant differences were found in personality traits or psychological symptoms compared to heterosexual women.
Conclusions:
- Findings support the validity of butch-femme classifications.
- Butch lesbians appear more male-typical than femme lesbians.
- Differential prenatal androgen exposure may influence butch-femme identity.