Final answer:
The main problems with the Kinsey scale are its exclusion of asexuality, its lack of consideration for sexual fluidity, and its reliance on an unrepresentative sample. The scale's reception was also influenced by sociopolitical factors of the era, which may have introduced additional bias.
Step-by-step explanation:
The problems with the Kinsey hetero/homosexuality scale are centered around its inability to represent the diverse and fluid nature of sexual orientation fully. While the Kinsey scale was groundbreaking in suggesting that sexuality exists on a continuum from 0 (exclusively homosexual) to 6 (exclusively heterosexual), certain limitations have been noted. Critics point out that the scale does not account for asexuality, the potential for sexual fluidity over time, or the distinction between sexual behavior and sexual attraction. Additionally, the validity of Kinsey's research may be questioned due to the non-representative nature of his sample population, which mostly included white, middle-class men, and may not apply to the broader population.
Moreover, Kinsey's work faced societal backlash during the period of the Lavender Scare, where people identifying as homosexual were often labeled as 'deviants.' This contributed to the persecution and stigmatization of the LGBTQ+ community. Since the cultural context may influence how individuals respond to surveys about sexuality, this may have led to bias in Kinsey's study results.
Despite these criticisms, the scale's concept of viewing sexuality as a spectrum rather than a strict binary remains influential in current psychological and sociological studies on human sexuality.