Academically reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Schulz, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology.

Sexual Orientation Test

The Erotic Response and Orientation Scale was developed by psychologist Michael Storms in order to account for problems with the Kinsey Scale Test, which many found to be overly binary in its approach to sexual orientation. The test is lauded for its contributions, which include a more complex and less linear understanding of non-binary orientations as well as an appreciation of the fact that some people are asexual.

What is your sexual orientation? For each of the following questions, indicate how often it has occurred for you.

Question 1 of 15

I identify as a:

Man Woman Other

The IDR-SOT© is the property of IDR Labs International. The original research was provided by Michael Storms in affiliation with Kansas University.

The Erotic Response and Orientation Scale (EROS) is a classical index and instrument for measuring heterosexual and homosexual behavior, bisexuality, and asexuality. The Erotic Response and Orientation Scale does not address all possible sexual or gender identities and does not purport to accommodate respondents who identify as non-binary. Though developed in part to counteract problems with the Kinsey Scale Test, Kinsey was, contrary to popular belief, not a behaviorist, but granted that sexuality is much broader than simply lived behavior. The Erotic Response and Orientation Scale is dated, yet touted as an overlooked and nuanced contribution to the study of human sexuality in newer research. The original results obtained by Storms in 1980 are broadly agreed to be significant, particularly in regard to the study of bisexuality.

Although all are designed to measure sexual orientation in two dimensions, the IDR-SOT© should not be confused with EROS, as authored by Michael Storms or alternative research organizations. However, all are professionally-designed personality tests (or inventories) meant for measuring sexual orientation in relation to gender roles in the Western world. The IDR-SOT© is the property of IDR Labs International. The original research was provided by Michael Storms in affiliation with Kansas University. The authors of this online personality sexual orientation test are certified in the use of numeruos personality tests and have worked professionally with typology and personality testing. The results of our free online Sexual Orientation test are provided "as-is", and should not be construed as providing professional or certified advice of any kind. For more on our online personality test, please consult our Terms of Service.

References

Storms, M. D. (1980): Theories of sexual orientation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 38(5), 783-792.
Twenge, J.M. (1997): Changes in masculine and feminine traits over time: A meta-analysis. Sex Roles, 305–325.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Sexual Orientation Test measure?

The test asks how often you have experienced attraction, romantic thoughts, and sexual thoughts involving men and women. It reports these responses on two dimensions rather than treating orientation as a single straight-to-gay line.

How is this test different from the Kinsey Scale?

The Kinsey Scale places responses along one continuum. This test uses separate dimensions for attraction to men and women, so the result can reflect attraction to both, to neither, or primarily to one.

Can the result tell me my sexual identity?

No. The result describes your answers to a limited set of questions about recent experiences. It cannot decide which identity or label is right for you, and the test does not cover every sexual or gender identity.

Is this the original Erotic Response and Orientation Scale?

No. The IDRlabs Sexual Orientation Test draws on Michael Storms’s two-dimensional approach, but it is an independently developed online test and should not be confused with his original instrument.