Some People Really Might Have 'Gaydar'

Some people actually may  have "gaydar," a widely used slang term for the ability to assess quickly  another person's sexual orientation, a new study suggests.

Researchers asked 129 college students to look at 96 photos of young  men and women and to identify them as either gay or straight. The  participants were 65 percent accurate in identifying gay and straight  women and 57 percent accurate in identifying gay and straight men.

Faces in photos were free of glasses or jewelry, as well as scars,  facial hair and non-earlobe piercings.

When the faces were viewed upside down, the participants' accuracy  slipped to 61 percent in identifying gay/straight women and 53 percent in  identifying gay/straight men.

Still, that accuracy rate is higher than would be expected by chance  alone, the researchers said. [continue]

Tags: LGBT, gaydar, gays, lesbians, study

Views: 65

Replies to This Discussion

I really prefer viewing people upside down even if I can't identify their sexuality.  It's much more interesting.

I have gaydar. I am never wrong.

I'm right more often than I trust myself to be. It takes a while to unlearn the "keep your head down" mentality.

I need to have Shannon with me when I'm out and about.  It's good to have someone whose gaydar is never wrong.

*

When I moved from the midwest to the pacific northwest, at first I thought almost all men here seemed gay.  Later, others who made the same move, said the same thing to me.  Not sure why.  then I moved to Chicago, and I thought the gay men who I met were really straight men who just fooled around with guys.  But they really were gay.  Then I moved back to the northwest, and now I just dont notice.

LOL SB, I should clarify- never wrong with WOMEN. No matter if they are butch or femme, there is a certain..I don't know what it is..bold, brazen ability to stare other queer girls down. And there is also the sense of sturdiness that has nothing to do with butch or femme. Lots of little non traditional things that make me hit it on the nose.

I'd say I am pretty on target with guys when I notice, but no guarantees there.

RSS

CONNECT WITH ATHEIST NEXUS

Latest Activity

John Hutcheson posted a blog post

Are the media too giddy over the Pope?

With all the media attention the on the Pope, important stories are being missed, human rights violations, Monsanto protection act, Russia march to blasphemy laws, and of the big story this week did Harry Potter vanquish dementors?See More
28 minutes ago
Ian Mason commented on Ruth Anthony-Gardner's group Hang With Friends
"The medical profession seems to have improved in some areas at least. Personally I think some of that is due to the higher level of education of society as a whole. We know too much to put up with bad treatment now. I saw a documentary last year…"
29 minutes ago
Ian Mason commented on Ruth Anthony-Gardner's group Hang With Friends
38 minutes ago
Nerdlass replied to Ruth Anthony-Gardner's discussion Cicadas taste like asparagus in the group THE KNIFE & FORK
"Thanks. Now I have "Glory of Love" stuck in my head. ^^; I'm not sure if I could get used to eating bugs. It's like... if they're mudbugs or sea-bugs, that's one thing, but it's hard to imagine them tasting good…"
38 minutes ago
Nerdlass commented on Debra Stevenson's blog post Some Wiccans and their seeking approval from Christians
"I converted to paganism (through wicca, but didn't stay there) from xianity. During that conversion period, I tried to reconcile the beliefs, which ultimately, I couldn't. There are some who find a way (probably used to cherry picking, so…"
48 minutes ago
Hiram replied to Hiram's discussion Epicureanism: a Secular Doctrine for Happiness
"There are currently two Gardens of Epicurus: one in Chicago and one in New Jersey.  Please visit if you're in the vecinity!"
1 hour ago
Hiram commented on Maruli Marulaki's group Epicurean Atheists
"There are currently two Gardens of Epicurus: one in Chicago and one in New Jersey.  Please visit if you're in the vecinity!"
1 hour ago
Hiram commented on Hiram's blog post That Old Time Secularism
"There are currently two Gardens of Epicurus: one in Chicago and one in New Jersey.  Please visit if you're in the vecinity!"
1 hour ago

© 2013   Atheist Nexus. All rights reserved. Admin: Richard Haynes.

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service