In the symposium, we present quantitative and qualitative evidence to explore
people's sexual orientation identity, intimate relationships, and self-understanding.
Even though different societies have different social norms and cultural values, the
three societies in which studies in our symposium are conducted have assumed
individuals' heterosexuality to some degree. According to the findings in these three
studies, I will raise several questions to further our inquiries into how individuals
come to deeper self-understanding in intimate relationships. For example, what are
the benefits and costs of the heterosexual scripts in intimate relationships? How do
individuals weigh and use multiple aspects of information (e.g., attraction, fantasy,
and behavior) to formulate sexual orientation identity? Through the discussions in
the symposium, we are hoping to offer ways for individuals to achieve a better
understanding of their sexual being and themselves.