D’Augelli’s Model of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Development differs from its peer theories in sexual identity development in that it is not a linear theory. Most other theories talk about phases that people transition through. Individuals are unable to move onto the next phase until they have completed the former. It is my belief that people do not move in a linear fashion through identity phases and that instead they reach them at their own time, especially when it comes to sexual identity development.
D’Augelli believed that the development of sexual identity could be a life-long process and as such that many changes happen over time. This theory taps into a concept called “developmental plasticity” which revolves around human responsiveness to environmental and biological changes. In 1994, D’Augelli’s theory was presented. It borrows much from the life span model meaning that “identity is a ‘social construction,’ shaped by varying degrees by social circumstances and environment and changeable throughout life” (Evans, et. al, 2010, p. 315). This type of timeline leaves room for individuals to move through the stages at their own pace. The theory has three variables that are involved first in identity formation. The three are personal subjectivities and actions, interactive intimacies, and sociohistorical connections. Personal subjectivities and actions ties to how individuals perceive and feel about their sexual identities; Interactive intimacies includes how family, peers, significant others, close friends, etc. influence an individual; and Sociohistorical connections revolve around socially accepted norms, laws, policies, etc. This variable also has to do with where one is located geographically, culturally and within time (Evans, et. al, 2010, p. 316). What is most interesting about this theory is that D’Augelli’s model puts the majority of the