Innate or Learned?

[Fox]

This thread is engaging the question of environment v. heredity, a subject that has occupied deep thinkers in sociology, social psychology and behavioural psychology for the past century. The question applies not just to sexual behaviour, but to all aspects of human behaviour; the answers tend to be skewed according to the leanings of the researcher.

Those much more learned than me can debate this issue endlessly; my not-so-informed-but-based-on-a-little-knowledge opinions are

1. I disagree with Tourguide saying "there is nothing in our brains ...etc." Human sexuality, intelligence, etc. are highly fluid in nature, else we would be in a constant state of aggression or arousal, etc. There are far too many variables involved within the body that affect behaviour - all behaviour - to make such a generalization.

From what I have seen, people appear to be born with certain personality traits ... some children are quiet, others boisterous, some talk earlier than others, some like to draw while others like to play sports. Observation of pack animals and human groups will also demonstrate that there are "alpha" males, alpha females, and "natural" leaders. This is well documented. Perhaps dominance and submissiveness are expressions of these inborn personality traits; the interest in bondage being a learned expression of an innate characteristic.

2. Sorry Tourguide, but in my (limited) experience, a practicing psychologist, psychotherapist or psychiatrist (they are different) is highly unlikely to say “if you asked a psychologist, he would probably tell you that this sort of thing would be a telltale sign of a addled or deranged brain. ” That is unprofessional at best and ill informed (aka ignorant) at worst.

He/she is more likely to abstain from an opinion on the issue, and to ask why you want to know, and do you think it is abnormal? If he/she is speaking publicly, the attitude expressed will most likely be couched in terms of his/her theoretical bent.

But if YOUR therapist says otherwise, who am I to question? heh heh ...

There is copious research on the topic available at the local public library … start with Krafft-Ebbing, work your way through Kinsey, Masters & Johnson, Nancy Friday, Dr. Ruth, Dr. Gloria Brame and numerous research papers. Skip the internet, too much fluff and not enough facts. Or you could ask a sex researcher such as Sue Johannsen of the Sunday Night Sex Show on cable tv here in Canada.

There is extensive information out there about behaviour modification, chemo-modification, etc. etc. Changing individual sexual orientation has been clinically attempted, utilizing a variety of techniques including EST (eletroshock therapy), chemicals, surgical castration, and others, all with very poor results. Check with someone in the local penal system about how many pedophiles have been successfully reformed.

For pure enjoyment, try Anthony Burgess’ book “A Clockwork Orange”, and be sure to rent Kubrick’s masterful (pun intended) film starring Malcom McDowell.

3. If you REALLY want to find out, follow the example of the 'founder' of behaviour modification B F Skinner. Start with an infant, preferably your own, and shape his/her rearing process to meet certain criteria say, to become a detective who plays the violin. Maintain these standards throughout his/her lifetime, with continuous monitoring of the results. Chances are pretty good, the adult may become a violin playing detective, but he/she will also have some very skewed thought processes. Nature vs. nurture.

There is a recent case of a man was raised as a girl – not a transsexual or transvestite, for two decades or so he thought he was a normal girl – but who discovered in early adulthood that he was in fact, male. Very interesting case.

4. Who cares … so long as it is safe, sane and consensual!


So, let me ask this:

How many psychiatrists does it take to change a lightbulb?