Homosexuality Among Oxford Undergraduates

Abstract

In Oxford, all psychiatric cases among undergraduates are referred by their general practitioners and therefore tend to be selected by them. There is no group they are more ready to pass on to the psychiatrist than the student complaining, in whatever guise, of homosexuality. It is not therefore surprising that homosexuals form a high proportion of the 100 Oxford students referred on psychiatric grounds and studied in the research underlying this paper (the mode of selection is described in Davidson et al., 1955 and Spencer, 1957, p. 93). Opportunity was afforded also for the examination of 100 freshman controls from three Oxford Colleges (for mode of selection, see loc. cit.). These students agreed to answer questions about their sexual development, including possible homosexual practices or interests.

Physical and biochemical characteristics of homosexual men.

“…These findings regarding childhood feelings and activities are consistent with what might be expected on the basis of body build, but of course do not establish any direct causal relationship. Spencer (1959) reported that among 200 college students, 86 with homosexual problems tended toward ectomorphic builds. The relationship was not statistically significant (possibly because almost half had "outgrown" their problem and therefore probably were not truly homosexual in the first place).…”

“…Shields (1968) postulated "some specific vulnerability, genetic or constitutional," which predisposes the individual toward homosexuality. Such a factor is unlikely to be as specific as a gene, and may be as general as a restricted range of physical characteristics or behavioral qualities which influence the personality (Kinsey, Pomeroy, & Martin, 1948), Spencer (1959) acknowledged a bias against a constitutional basis, but nevertheless concluded that a "weak physique" appeared to be an important determinant of homosexual behavior. The poor muscle development itself, however, may be a function of feminine interests and limited physical activity.…”

Suicide and sexual orientation

“…Spencer (1959) followed 100 Oxford undergraduates referred by their general practitioners. Relative to 35% of controls ( n =100), a significantly greater proportion of patients (51%) had homosexual behaviour, fantasies or desires.…”