UNAIR NEWS – Deddy Corbuzier’s podcast a few weeks ago went viral as it featured a gay couple, Ragil and Fred. In the podcast, Ragil and Fred told Deddy how the two met and got married after discovering their true selves. The psychological factor is inseparable from the self-discovery process in every couple. Then, what causes someone becomes gay? Does the self-discovery process have anything to do with a person’s psychological factors?
Responding to the question, UNAIR psychology lecturer Atika Dian Ariana S Psi MSc shared her views on the causes of homosexuality. Speaking about LGBT, one thing to understand is the difference between sexual identity and sexual orientation. Sexual identity is a part of how one thinks of oneself in terms of sexual role (male or female).
Responding to the question, UNAIR psychology lecturer Atika Dian Ariana S Psi MSc shared her views on the causes of homosexuality. Speaking about LGBT, one thing to understand is the difference between sexual identity and sexual orientation. Sexual identity is a part of how one thinks of oneself in terms of sexual role (male or female).
“If we want to be slightly open, sexual orientation has many forms. Generally, the most popular happen to be the homosexual and heterosexual,” she said.
Homosexuality is not only driven by psychological factors
Homosexuality, according to the lecturer born in Tulungagung, may arise due to psychological factors. Comprehensively, however, there are other factors causing homosexuality. One of them is the biological factor during the phases of a child, adolescent, and adult development which tend to be attracted to the same sex.
It can also be psychological as a sexual orientation does not happen in an instant. When one individual has a normal development, it is usually started with the sexual function during the puberty phase.
“The problem is, during the adolescent phase, one is not immediately aware of his/her sexual identity and sexual orientation. Some people even need to encounter the sexual experience or sexual behavior before they realize that they are different from most people do,” she said.
Apart from that, the social factors may also play their part. Homosexuality is highly influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors.
Emerging sexual orientation
In the podcast, Ragil said that sexuality is dynamic. Ariana explained that instead of being dynamic, the person is finally aware of his/her sexual orientation and sexual identity.
“It means that sometimes a person is attracted to the same sex or opposite sex. In the adolescent phase, he/she starts to reflect on his/her perspective and roles. Then, the sexual orientation eventually emerges,” she said.
However, there is hesitation. This is where social and cultural factors play their roles. For instance, when someone happens to be in a community with similar sexual orientations, he/she will be encouraged. He/she will feel accepted and vice versa.
“If someone has atypical sexual orientation or is different from most of the people but he/she is in discouraging community or even refuse, it will create conflict,” she stated.
Author: Ananda Wildhan Wahyu Pratama
Editor: Feri Fenoria Rifai
