Lecture 8 - Sexual Discrimination

Question 1

What is sexual discrimination, and how can it be subtle and blatant?

Answer 1

Any negative attitude, thought, or behaviour that is targeted at an individual on the basis of their sexual orientation.
Subtle: anti-gay epithets.
Blatant: anti-gay violence.

Question 2

What does the Minority Stress Model theorise?

Answer 2

Homosexuals are more likely to be mentally ill than heterosexuals because of the different levels of stress.

• General stressors: exams.
• Distal minority stressors: prejudiced events.
• Proximal minority stressors: expectations of negative outcomes, concealment to avoid discrimination and internalizing homophobia.

Question 3

What does the Gender Belief System Theory argue?

Answer 3

Masculinity and femininity are on a spectrum, with masculinity being associated with strength, assertiveness and femininity being associated with cooperation, sensitiveness, etc. Breaking these norms is viewed negatively, particularly by men as they hold these norms more strongly -> more prejudice against gay men.

Question 4

What did Talley and Bettencourt (2008) find that supported Gender Belief System Theory?

Answer 4

Heterosexual men rated significantly below or above (control) average on a task. They were then given a word association task with a partner, and could punish them if they failed.
Failed Heterosexual men were more aggressive towards homosexual men who failed in comparison to control. There was no difference between the Pass and Control conditions.

Question 5

Why are gay men and gay women viewed differently by heterosexual men?

Answer 5

Lesbians are viewed through the lens of eroticism. When asked to rate the favourability of male-male and female-female erotic activity, hetero men were far more positive of female-female erotic activity. However, there was no difference between the two when erotic value was controlled for -> eroticism counteracts stigmas.

Question 6

What is the difference between internal and external prejudice?

Answer 6

Internal: genuinely believing in equality for gay people.
External: believing in equality because that is the new social norm.
High internal + low external = low prejudice.
Low internal + high external = high prejudice.

Question 7

What is a positive intervention for reducing sexual discrimination?

Answer 7

Intergroup contact reduces prejudice. E-contact (on a continuum of contact) promotes understanding and decreases stress prior to actually meeting. E-contact also promotes approaching outgroup members after E-contact.