Final answer:
Edward Laumann is similar to Alfred Kinsey in their contributions to the study of human sexuality, with Kinsey pioneering the field in the 1940s with his seminal work, introducing the Kinsey scale, and Laumann continuing the work in social research on sexuality, both expanding understanding of human sexual behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
Edward Laumann is similar to Alfred Kinsey in that both have conducted influential research on human sexuality, although at different times. Kinsey, in the late 1940s, conducted extensive interviews and surveys which demonstrated that homosexuality was more common than previously thought and introduced the revolutionary concept of a sexual orientation continuum with his Kinsey scale. Laumann, though not directly mentioned in the provided information, is known for his extensive social research on sexuality, including his work on the 1994 National Health and Social Life Survey which also aimed to provide empirical data on the sexual practices and orientations of Americans.
Kinsey's research, while widely criticized for its methodologies, was foundational in the field of sexology and influenced subsequent studies by breaking taboo and shaping open conversations about sexuality. This paved the way for future research like Laumann's, which further investigated and provided insights into the complexities of human sexual behavior.