Associations between subcategories of disgust sensitivity and homonegativity: examining intergroup contact as a moderator

ABSTRACT

The present study examined the associations between three forms of disgust sensitivity (i.e. moral, pathogen, and sexual) and homonegativity towards gay men and lesbian women, based on the behavioural immune system (BIS) theory. Two forms of homonegativity were assessed: old-fashioned (i.e. moral and religious objections to homosexuality) and modern (i.e. objections to homosexuality that are grounded in beliefs such as sexual minorities demand and receive ‘preferential’ treatment). Frequency and valence of contact with sexual minorities also was measured. An online survey was completed by 263 self-identified heterosexual participants, a majority of whom were White (n = 173) and cisgender women (n = 192). Sexual disgust was the strongest predictor of old-fashioned homonegativity towards lesbian women, and pathogen disgust was the only predictor of old-fashioned homonegativity against gay men. No measures of disgust were statistically significant predictors of modern homonegativity. Both frequency and quality of intergroup contact played a significant role in moderating different effects of sexual disgust on homonegativity. The limitations of this study and directions for future research are outlined.

KEYWORDS:

• Disgust sensitivity
• homonegativity
• sexual minorities
• gay men
• lesbian women

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. In addition to the noted measures, participants were asked to indicate their age, gender, sexual orientation, educational level and background, and average household income. Participants also completed measures on political conservatism and religiosity, as well as quality control items. Please contact the corresponding author for more information on these data.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ana Carolina de Barros

Ana Carolina de Barros is a graduate student in Psychology at the University of Saskatchewan. Their research interests include resiliency in bisexual people, transgender people, and queer youth, as well as media representations of bisexuality. In 2020, they received the University of Saskatchewan’s Haslam Medal, awarded to the most distinguished graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences. They plan on pursuing a PhD in social psychology.

Bidushy Sadika

Bidushy Sadika is a PhD student in Social Psychology, with a specialization in Migration and Ethnic Relations, at Western University, London, Ontario. Her research interests include: intersectionality theory; immigration and settlement issues; race, ethnicity, and culture; and gender roles and stereotypes. Bidushy has published in various peer-reviewed journals (e.g., Journal of GLBT Family Studies), as well as worked in community projects with London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership (LMLIP) and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Terri A. Croteau

Terri A. Croteau is a Master’s student in the Culture, Health, and Human Development Psychology program at the University of Saskatchewan, under the supervision of Dr. Todd Morrison. Their research interests include sexual and gender minority identities and experiences, prejudice and discrimination, and scale development.

Melanie A. Morrison

Melanie A. Morrison is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Saskatchewan, and the founder and co-director of the Saskatchewan Equity, Equality, and Diversity (SEED) lab. Her research interests include: stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination (especially toward sexual minorities, women, and Indigenous persons); gender psychology; and sexual violence.

Todd G. Morrison

Todd G. Morrison is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Saskatchewan, and the co-director of the Saskatchewan Equity, Equality, and Diversity (SEED) lab. His research interests include sexual diversity studies, gay male pornography, body image, and psychometrics. Todd was elected a Fellow of the Canadian Psychological Association in 2016.