Detection of sexual orientation by heterosexuals and homosexuals

The purpose of this study was to determine if sexual orientation can be correctly identified under controlled conditions. A series of 24 brief videotaped interviews with homosexual and heterosexual men and women were presented to a sample of 143 subject raters divided into four sexual preference and gender groups. None of the groups were able to exceed levels of correct detection. Approximately 20% of the total subject pool did exceed chance levels. There were significantly more women than men in this sub-sample and homosexual women were represented disproportionately. Although there were some differences in the types of behavioral cues used by the different sexual preference groups to make their judgments, with the possible exception of homosexual women, these cues were unrelated to accurate identification of sexual orientation. The relatively better performance of female raters is discussed in terms of differences in the socialization process of men and women.     

Internationale Politik,vol. 60, nr. 1. Frankfurter Societäts-Druckerei,Frankfurt am Main, 2005.

Review of Journals and Books

Internationale Politik, vol. 60, nr. 1. Frankfurter Societäts-Druckerei, Frankfurt am Main, 2005.     

Mental Retardation as a Western Sociological Construct: A Cross-cultural Analysis

The purpose of this paper is to examine the sociological processes evidenced by Western and non-Western cultures in defining and labeling persons as mentally retarded. Societal perceptions of individuals with mental impairments have meaning only within a specific cultural milieu. Regardless of any existence in an absolute sense, 'mental retardation' is also a sociological construct. Cross-cultural, sociological studies may yield alternative strategies for assessing mental retardation in 'advanced' industrialised societies, making treatment of individuals labeled retarded more effective and more humane. The knowledge gained from such studies will provide insights into the relationship which exists between the perceptions and definitions of mental retardation and the various levels of sociocultural and socioeconomic integration evidenced by humankind.     

Literatur / Books

Buchbesprechungen / Book reviews

Literatur / Books     

The Precautionary Principle in Context: U.S. and E.U. Scientists' Prescriptions for Policy in the Face of Uncertainty*

Objective. Our objective is to explain how scientists interpret less‐than‐certain scientific findings to inform policymakers' choices on controversial science policy issues. We focus on two particularly difficult policy cases concerning global climate change and low‐dose radiation protection. Methods. Our method is to analyze data from a unique multination survey of scientists to analyze the ways their views about what is scientifically correct are translated into judgments about appropriate policy. The surveys asked scientists, randomly drawn from U.S. and E.U. subscribers to the journal Science, to indicate the “most likely” relationships between greenhouse gas emissions and average global temperatures and between radiation dose and incidence of cancer in humans. Follow‐up questions asked for their judgments about appropriate policy targets for reductions in greenhouse gas emission and safety standards for radiation exposure. The data permit analysis of the relationships between scientific certainty and policy judgments in these two cases. Results. Our results shed light on when and how scientists reach precautionary policy conclusions, demonstrating that scientists' application of precaution is dependent on context. In the case of radiation protection, greater certainty is associated with less precaution. But with respect climate change, we found the opposite relationship. Conclusions. We conclude with a discussion of the implications for the role of scientists, and scientific advice, in the policy process.