Effects of sexual orientation on interpersonal judgment

Abstract

Gagnon and Simon (1973) and Kinsey, Pomeroy, Martin, and Gebhard (1953) have suggested that homosexuals are perceived by heterosexuals as being obsessed with sexual matters and that derogation of homosexuals extends to those with relatively minimal proportions of homosexual experience. These notions were examined by exposing male and female subjects to same‐sex or opposite‐sex stimulus persons varying in their proportion of heterosexual/homosexual experience and self‐rated sexual orientation. All persons were evaluated with regard to likability, work partner desirability, intelligence, morality, and adjustment, and rated along a number of dimensions assessing perceptions of sexuality. Results were that exclusive heterosexuals were seen as more likable, moral, and well‐adjusted than all persons with homosexual experience, but bisexuals with less than half total homosexual outlet were regarded as more likable and as more desirable work partners than persons with more homosexual experience. Exclusive heterosexuals, and bisexuals with up to half of their total sexual outlet being homosexual outlet, were rated higher on factors tapping perceived sexual desirability and sexual activity than persons with a greater proportion of homosexual experience. Results were discussed with respect to the meaning of homosexual experience in interpersonal perception.