Are certain aspects of personality such as sexual preference inherited? If so, how can they be changed?
Behavioral geneticists have found that many aspects of personality do indeed have powerful genetic components. However, don t make the mistake of assuming genetic INFLUENCE means that a certain trait is entirely genetically determined. It s clear that sexual orientation has a strong genetic component, but like other personality traits this is only a PREDISPOSITION. Environmental influences still play a significant role in how (and if) this predisposition is ultimately expressed. Having said that, most psychologists believe that sexual orientation is not a conscious decision, and thus see no reason to change it. In fact, the American Psychiatric Association s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th ed. (DSM IV), the universally recognized reference for classifying psychological disorders, does not list homosexuality as a disorder (and hasn t for nearly two decades). Though some anecdotal evidence exists which suggests sexual orientation can be changed, scientific research indicates other
