Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: LILLIAN NATHALIE OLIVEIRA DA SILVA

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : LILLIAN NATHALIE OLIVEIRA DA SILVA
DATE: 27/07/2021
TIME: 09:00
LOCAL: https://meet.google.com/drt-aqsi-gaj
TITLE:

INFLUENCE OF HLA ON SEXUAL ATTRACTION OF HOMOSEXUAL MEN

KEY WORDS:

Evolutionary Psychology, Homosexuality, Major Histocompatibility Complex, Partner Choice, Sexual Orientation

PAGES: 104
BIG AREA: Ciências Humanas
AREA: Psicologia
SUMMARY:

Sexual attraction is multivariate with several aspects impacting mating preferences. In partner choice studies, the influence of body odors has been investigated from the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC), also known as HLA in humans (Human Leukocyte Antigen), an important genetic component of the immune system that plays a key role in discriminating between proper and distinct material, and specifying an odorous identity in individuals. Research shows that MHC is associated with sexual selection in vertebrates, where individuals prefer sexual partners with molecules other than their own or heterozygous. The hypothesis is linked to reproduction, as an immunological variety makes a possible offspring more resistant to several pathogens. In humans, the preference for dissimilar or heterozygous HLA is found in heterosexual women, but not in men, which corroborates the Parental Investment Theory, given the asymmetric energy costs between the sexes. As the hypothesis evidences the reproductive value, researches with HLA are limited to seeking evidence only in heterosexual couples, with no studies with homosexuals. This thesis aims to investigate the evolutionary reasons why HLA can influence the olfactory sexual attraction of homosexual men. Therefore, a quasi-experimental study is being carried out, with testing of hypotheses, to verify if there is influence. An experimental group of homosexual evaluators and a control group with heterosexual evaluators will assess whether the odors of also homosexual and heterosexual donors are preferable based on the similarity and heterozygosity of HLA. The research is considered exploratory, as it is carried out with homosexuals, but also because of methodological replicability. To achieve the objective of understanding the evolutionary reasons, literature reviews on the subject will be carried out, one narrative and two systematic, to support the discussion. The results obtained so far are that the more complex scenario of the psychobiology of sexuality shows a much greater diversity than the common binary sexual categories, from genetic sex to sexual attraction, and that studies on choosing partners with sexual diversity need to cover the sexual behavior beyond reproduction.

BANKING MEMBERS:
Presidente - 2316116 - FELIPE NALON CASTRO
Interna - 1350337 - FIVIA DE ARAUJO LOPES
Interna - 6346130 - MARIA BERNARDETE CORDEIRO DE SOUSA