`Gaydar' -- the supposed ability of some people, especially gays and lesbians, to identify other gays and lesbians -- might be real after all.
Dutch scientists say it could be because gay people are more detail-oriented than straights -- and thus are more likely to pick up on subtle clues in appearance and behavior.
Researchers at Leiden University gave 42 gay and straight volunteers photos of large squares and rectangles. Each was loaded with smaller shapes inside.
The straight people were more likely to answer questions about the shapes more quickly, but less accurately. The gay volunteers took longer, but gave more detailed and accurate responses.
"This is the first time that scientific proof has been found for the existence of a gaydar mechanism amongst homosexuals," said Dr. Lorenzo Colzato told the Daily Mail. "This perceptual skill allows homosexuals to recognize other gay people faster and we think it's because they are much more analytic than heterosexuals."
Dutch scientists say it could be because gay people are more detail-oriented than straights -- and thus are more likely to pick up on subtle clues in appearance and behavior.
Researchers at Leiden University gave 42 gay and straight volunteers photos of large squares and rectangles. Each was loaded with smaller shapes inside.
The straight people were more likely to answer questions about the shapes more quickly, but less accurately. The gay volunteers took longer, but gave more detailed and accurate responses.
"This is the first time that scientific proof has been found for the existence of a gaydar mechanism amongst homosexuals," said Dr. Lorenzo Colzato told the Daily Mail. "This perceptual skill allows homosexuals to recognize other gay people faster and we think it's because they are much more analytic than heterosexuals."
