Kinsey scale - meaning and definition
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Definition
A seven-point scale from exclusively heterosexual (0) to exclusively homosexual (6), introduced by researcher Alfred Kinsey in 1948.
At a glance
- Runs from 0 (exclusively heterosexual) to 6 (exclusively homosexual).
- Introduced by Alfred Kinsey and colleagues in 1948.
- Presented sexuality as a continuum rather than two boxes.
- An extra category, X, covered people reporting no sexual attraction or behaviour.
- Now seen as limited because it is one-dimensional and assumes two genders.
In detail
The Kinsey scale was influential because it presented sexuality as a continuum rather than two boxes. Kinsey's team also used an extra category, often written as "X", for people who reported no sexual attraction or behaviour, an early nod to asexuality.
Today the scale is seen as limited: it treats attraction as one dimension between two genders and mixes behaviour with feelings. Later models add separate measures for fantasy, romance and change over time. People still mention a Kinsey number informally to describe themselves.
In a sentence
- She joked that she's about a Kinsey 4, mostly into women with the occasional exception.
- Our psychology lecture compared the Kinsey scale with newer models of orientation.
Where the word comes from
Developed by Alfred Kinsey, Wardell Pomeroy and Clyde Martin and published in Sexual Behavior in the Human Male (1948), followed by a volume on women in 1953.
Common questions
Is the Kinsey scale still used?
Mostly informally. People sometimes mention a Kinsey number to describe themselves. Researchers now prefer models that measure attraction, behaviour, fantasy and romance separately and that do not assume only two genders.
What does Kinsey X mean?
Kinsey's team used X for people who reported no sexual attraction or behaviour. It is often seen as an early recognition of what is now called asexuality.