Homophobia and the perception of psychological differences

ABSTRACT

The present research examined the extent to which one’s negative attitudes towards gay individuals influences perceptions of psychological differences between straight and gay groups. Previous research indicates that endorsement of sexist ideologies predicts the exaggeration of psychological differences between men and women. We attempted to replicate these findings in the domain of sexual identity across two studies. Study 1 presented participants with two fabricated research abstracts about the psychology of sexuality: one advocating for large psychological differences between gay and straight people, while the other advocating for small differences. Participants then chose the abstract most consistent with their personal beliefs and completed a measure of attitudes towards gay men and lesbian women. We found that greater negative attitudes towards gay men and lesbian women predicted the selection of the larger differences abstract. Study 2 used an experimental design and found that participants who read and wrote about large differences reported more negative attitudes towards gay individuals. These results are discussed in the context of intergroup relations and prejudice.

KEYWORDS:

• Social perception
• homophobia
• attitudes
• homosexuality
• prejudice

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Andrew D. White

Andrew White is an undergraduate psychology major at the College of Wooster in Ohio. His research interests include stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination surrounding gender and sexual minorities.

Amber L Garcia

Amber Garcia is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the College of Wooster in Ohio. Her research interests are in the areas of prejudice, intergroup relations, and intergroup emotions.