Banca de DEFESA: Lillian Nathalie Oliveira da Silva

Uma banca de DEFESA de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : Lillian Nathalie Oliveira da Silva
DATE: 04/08/2022
TIME: 13:00
LOCAL: https://meet.google.com/drt-aqsi-gaj
TITLE:

INFLUENCE OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM ON OLFACTIVE SEXUAL ATTRACTION: PERSPECTIVES IN NON-HETEROSEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS

KEY WORDS:

Sexual diversity, Evolutionary psychology, Sexual orientation, Major Histocompatibility Complex, Choice of partner.

PAGES: 155
BIG AREA: Ciências Humanas
AREA: Psicologia
SUMMARY:

The influence of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC), also known as HLA in humans (Human Leukocyte Antigen), has been extensively investigated in partner choice studies due to its fundamental role in the immune system and the odorous identity of individuals. These researches have verified the preference of individuals for odors of potential partners that have HLA molecules different from their own, and the hypothesis is linked to reproduction, as the immunological variety makes a possible offspring more resistant to various pathogens. Given the reproductive value, HLA research is limited to seeking evidence only in heterosexual couples, with no studies with different sexual orientations. Advancing in these studies, this work aimed to investigate the evolutionary reasons why HLA can influence olfactory sexual attraction in non-heterosexual people, testing the hypothesis that the influence must follow the existing patterns in heterosexual olfactory attraction and that the evolved psychological mechanisms are of the sex of origin, following the Parental Investment Theory regardless of sexual orientation. The methodology to verify the hypotheses was: a narrative literature review, two systematic reviews, and a quasi-experimental study. The results indicate that in a psychobiological panorama, variation is one of the fundamental pillars to study sexual behavior; that the process of choosing a non-heterosexual partner involves the same basic elements existing in heterosexuality, varying in intensity according to the level of parental investment of each sex and the appropriate environmental conditions for the choice of sexual strategies; that there is an interaction between olfactory sexual attraction and sexual orientation, with the latter influencing the preference and production of human body odors and these communicating clues about the sex and sexual orientation of potential partners; and that there is no male preference for odors from other HLA-like/different men, regardless of sexual orientation, as observed in heterosexual men evaluating the odors of women. These results confirm the hypotheses tested. The findings reinforce the classical evolutionary theories in the studies of sexual behavior and the need to treat and study sexuality in its plurality.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Interno - 2316116 - FELIPE NALON CASTRO
Interna - 1350337 - FIVIA DE ARAUJO LOPES
Interna - 1718518 - NICOLE LEITE GALVAO COELHO
Externa à Instituição - HELLEN VIVIANNI VELOSO CORRÊA - UFPA
Externa à Instituição - JAROSLAVA VARELLA VALENTOVA - USP