Shively Sexual Orientation Scale (SSO)
4 independent continua: Physical × Affectional, Heterosexual × Homosexual
Four single-item scales measure physical and emotional attraction to the same and opposite sex independently — no composite score, just four separate profiles.
Is sexual orientation just "same" vs "opposite"?
The Shively SSO doesn't think so. It breaks orientation into four independent threads: physical attraction and emotional connection, each rated for same-sex and opposite-sex separately.
Shively & DeCecco (1977) published this model decades before "romantic orientation" became a common term. The core idea: who you're physically attracted to and who you form emotional bonds with aren't necessarily the same thing.
The four dimensions
| Dimension | What it measures |
|---|---|
| Physical Heterosexuality | Physical/sexual attraction to the opposite sex |
| Physical Homosexuality | Physical/sexual attraction to the same sex |
| Affectional Heterosexuality | Deep emotional/romantic bonds with the opposite sex |
| Affectional Homosexuality | Deep emotional/romantic bonds with the same sex |
Result Interpretation
After completing the 4 questions, you'll receive an immediate, detailed report with:
- Your score — calculated automatically based on your responses
- Score interpretation — what your score means in practical terms
- Dimension breakdown — separate scores for each sub-scale
- Context — how your results compare to general population norms where available
All results are displayed on screen. No account or login needed.