The futile search for ‘physiological evidence’ of male bisexuality: a response to Jabbour et al. (2020)

Engelberg, J., Lawton, S. and Shaw, J. (2021) The futile search for ‘physiological evidence’ of male bisexuality: a response to Jabbour et al. (2020). Psychology of Sexualities Review, 12(2),

Abstract

“Robust evidence for bisexual orientation among men” (Jabbour et al., 2020) collates data from eight studies measuring the genital responses of bisexual-identified cisgender men to erotic stimuli. The goal of the article is to provide “empirical verification [of male bisexuality through] physiological processes rather than self-report.” (Jabbour et al., 2020, p. 1). Two questions emerge from this publication. First, is such research necessary? Second, can one physiologically ‘prove’ a sexuality’s existence using the penile plethysmograph (phallometry)? This paper will first discuss some of the scientific inaccuracies and methodological flaws with Jabbour et al. (2020), followed by a critical reflection on the social import of these studies in relation to the medicalisation of sexuality.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Bisexuality, sexology.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Lawton, Mr Samuel
• Authors: Engelberg, J., Lawton, S., and Shaw, J.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences
• Research Group: Bisexual Research Group
• Journal Name: Psychology of Sexualities Review
• Publisher: British Psychological Society
• ISSN: 2047-1467
• ISSN (Online): 2047-1475
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The British Psychological Society
• First Published: First published in Psychology of Sexualities Review 12(2)
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy