Embedded Files
The Kinsey Scale
The Kinsey Scale
Dr. Alfred Kinsey was one of the first sex experts to argue that sexual orientation existed on a fluid spectrum, rather than as a heterosexual-homosexual binary. He introduced the Kinsey Scale in 1948, after interviewing thousands of people about their sexualities. The scale uses a numeric system to track different degrees of sexual attraction.
0 | Exclusively heterosexual
1 | Predominantly heterosexual, only incidentally homosexual
2 | Predominantly heterosexual, but more than incidentally homosexual
3 | Equally heterosexual and homosexual [what we'd now call bisexual or pansexual]
4 | Predominantly homosexual, but more than incidentally heterosexual
5 | Predominantly homosexual, only incidentally heterosexual
6 | Exclusively homosexual
X | No socio-sexual contacts or reactions [what we'd now call asexual]
The Kinsey Scale is an imperfect model in the modern day. Many bi and pan people dislike the perception that they are "in-between" gay and straight, while people of all sexualities can find the use of a numeric scale to be overly restrictive. The Scale also lacks representation for the spectrum of asexuality, as well as the difference between sexual and romantic attraction. With that in mind, it was still a revolutionary proposition for its time period and a significant step towards furthering our understanding of sexuality as a spectrum.
The Split-Attraction Model
The Split-Attraction Model
The Split-Attraction Model (or SAM) demonstrates the difference between sexual and romantic orientation. It is most commonly used by the asexual and aromantic community but can be used by everybody to define their identities.
Some Examples of Split-Attraction Identities:
Some Examples of Split-Attraction Identities:
asexual homoromantic
bisexual heteroromantic
homosexual biromantic
heterosexual aromantic
demisexual panromantic
Further Reading: What Is the Split Attraction model?
Page updated
Report abuse