Lecture 8 Born this way LGBT stigma

Question 1

Sexual orientation

Answer 1

enduring pattern of sexual and/or romantic attraction to men, women, or both, to varying degrees

Question 2

Richard Green

Answer 2

part of brain= responsible for S.O= so, stigma against gays and lesbians in this country should fall

Question 3

Beh. genetics

Answer 3

twin studies:

• 52% concordance in S.O (MZ twins, male)
• 22% (DZ twins, male)

Question 4

Neuroanatomical

Answer 4

gay vs straight men

neuro-imaging= gay male: hypo-masculined; lesbian: hyper-masculined

Question 5

Essentialist theories of S.O– useful for stigma reduction?

Answer 5

• controllable stigmas (drug abuse, obesity)= tend to be viewed more negatively than uncontrollable stigmas (physical disabilities)

Question 6

“born with it” to LGB people

Answer 6

• less blame-worthy when their status= can’t control= “gay gene”

Question 7

if you think homosexuality is genetic/immutable/uncontrollable, then…

Answer 7

• supportive of gay marriage
• equal employment rights
• less homo-negativity

Question 8

essentialism– does it really cause pro-LGB+ attitudes?

Answer 8

• findings= inconsistent WHY?
• “born this way” beliefs–> become symbolic markers of person’s pro-LGB+ politics, not causing
• biased assimilation
• attitude polarisation

Question 9

biased assimilation

Answer 9

tendency to evaluate info that are consistent to your beliefs more positively than info that is inconsistent to your beliefs

Question 10

attitude polarisation

Answer 10

strengthening of your own belief in response to ambiguous evidence

Question 11

initial attitude: extreme negative

legitimacy of info: moderately unconvincing

Answer 11

= more negative

Question 12

initial attitude: extreme positive

legitimacy of info: moderately convincing

Answer 12

= more positive

Question 13

initial attitude: moderate positive

legitimacy of info: moderately convincing

Answer 13

• more positive

Question 14

Immutability

Answer 14

attribution theory: stigmatised trait perceived to be beyond person’s control= less harsh= more + attitudes toward LGB’s

Question 15

discreteness– straight, gay, bisexual

Answer 15

enhances group differences= increase stereotyping= more - attitude toward LGB’s

Question 16

what about bisexuals?

Answer 16

immutability about bi= DON’T predict more + attitudes toward bi’s
- because people think bi beh. is more controllable than gay beh.

Question 17

Gay men

Answer 17

• immutability beliefs= more firm about their S.O= wellbeing increases
• discreteness beliefs= higher internalised homophobia

Question 18

lesbian/bisexual women

Answer 18

• immutability beliefs= predicts less internalised homophobia
• discreteness belief= higher internalised homophobia