Sexual orientation, theory of mind and empathy: a comparison of male homosexual and male and female heterosexuals

BACKGROUND Researchers have been investigating similarities of and differences between homosexuals and heterosexuals for past few decades. Several studies have shown that in the particular domain (e.g., spatial ability), male homosexuals would resemble female heterosexuals better than male heterosexuals. Executive function, however, has received more attention than social cognition in this line of research. METHODS This study focuses on theory of mind and empathy as two important components of social cognition in male homosexuals (N=14), male heterosexuals (N=15) and female heterosexuals (N=14). RESULTS Applying Reading the Mind in the Eyes test and the Empathy Quotient, no significant difference between groups was identified. CONCLUSION This study suggests that similarities of male homosexuals and female heterosexuals may be confined to executive function and not extended to some social cognition abilities like theory of mind or empathy.