Lesbianism: A Study in Female Homosexuality - Classic Research

In this review of Lesbianism: A Study in Female Homosexuality, the new edition offers a clear, historically important window into mid-20th century clinical research on same-sex attraction. The bottom line: readers seeking a primary-source psychological study will value the inclusion of the original 1965-1966 research and the thoughtful framing material; this edition makes it possible to read the interviews and testing data in context and understand why the study challenged prevailing psychiatric assumptions. For scholars, students, and informed general readers this is an essential historical document and conversation starter.

Key Features

• Original research included: The edition reproduces the full 1965-1966 study, letting readers examine interviews and psychological testing without editorial omission.
• Historical perspective: The text frames a pioneering project that contradicts earlier clinical claims that labeled lesbianism as a disorder.
• Nonpatient sample: The study focuses on 26 lesbians who were not psychiatric patients, which strengthens the evidence about mental health outcomes.
• Accessible presentation: The new edition presents material in a way that is readable for both academic and general audiences interested in sexology and social history.
• Comparative insight: By juxtaposing the study with earlier assumptions, the book helps readers see how clinical views changed over time.

Who It's For

This edition is aimed at students of psychology, social scientists, LGBTQ+ studies scholars, and historically minded readers who want direct access to primary research that influenced diagnostic thinking. Anyone researching the history of psychiatry or the social sciences will find the reproduced interviews and test results especially useful.

Readers looking for a modern textbook on sexual orientation or a clinical manual with current diagnostic guidance should look elsewhere; this book is primarily a historical study and a document of research methods and findings from the 1960s rather than a contemporary clinical treatment guide.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Preserves the full original study so readers can evaluate methods and findings firsthand.
• Offers a corrective historical account that challenges outdated psychiatric claims about lesbianism.
• Uses a nonclinical sample of 26 women, which adds credibility to its conclusions about mental health.

Cons

• The research reflects its era, so some descriptions and testing methods will feel dated to contemporary readers.

Specifications

Title	Lesbianism: A Study in Female Homosexuality
Edition	New edition with original 1965-1966 study
Authors	David H Rosen, Rachel Rosen, Evelyn Hooker
Study sample	26 lesbians not drawn from psychiatric patients
Content focus	Interviews and psychological testing results
Historical context	Research conducted before homosexuality was removed as a mental disorder

Our Verdict

This edition is a valuable historical and scholarly resource that preserves an influential mid-century study and makes it accessible to modern readers. Students and researchers will appreciate the complete presentation of interviews and tests, and anyone interested in the history of psychology will find it good value for its archival importance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this edition include the original study text?
Yes, the new edition reproduces the full 1965-1966 research study in its entirety.

Who conducted the research?
The work reflects research associated with Evelyn Hooker and presentation by David H Rosen and Rachel Rosen in this edition.

Is the sample clinical or nonclinical?
The study examined 26 lesbians who were not psychiatric patients, so the sample is nonclinical.