Lectures 15, 16 - LGB: sexual orientation beliefs and social determinants of mental health Flashcards
What is sexual orientation essentialism?
A belief that one’s sexual orientation is:
- innate
- immutable (unchangeable)
- fixed across lifespan
- universal across culture and time
- exists in discrete categories (gay, straight (no spectrum))
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Twin studies e.g. Bailey & Pillard (1991) behaviour genetics sexual orientation.
52% concordance in sexual orientation between MZ
twins (male)
22% concordance in sexual orientation between DZ
twins (male)
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Gay gene, Hamer (1993; 1995)
X linked marker (Xq28 region) of male homosexuality. Replicated by Bailey et al., (2014)
more common in homosexual males
looks like there is something to it
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Fraternal birth order effect:
Blanchard, 1996
Latter born sons more likely to be gay (to same mother)
(only for biological sons, not adopted, younger bros or any sisters matter)
uteran response effect child?
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Neuroanamtomical:
LeVay (1991)
neuroanatomical differences between gay vs. straight men in INAH3 (mating behaviour and sexually dimorphic, looked more female in gays)
Are essentialist theories of sexual orientation useful for stigma reduction? Discuss.
LGB people will be viewed as less blame-worthy when their stigmatised status is perceived to be beyond their control (i.e., due to a “gay gene”) than when perceived to be controllable (i.e., due to learning, environmental factors, choice)
However it is likely to produce more stigma against bisexuals, as they do not form a discrete category?
What is the attribution theory, in the context of stigma?
Weiner, Perry, & Magnusson, 1988
“the perceived cause of the stigma determines affective reactions to the stigmatized person”
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Gullup
more ppl since 2011 Americans think more now born than choice (was it lady gagas albumn?)
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Haslam & Levy, 2006; Jayaratne et al., 2006; Haider-Markel, 2008
Those who perceive homosexuality as genetic/immutable/uncontrollable
- more supportive of constitution amendment to legalise same- sex marriage
- morally acceptable lifestyle
- support equal legal rights for cohabiting same-sex couples
- equal employment rights
- less homonegativity
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Safe schools?
Corellational evidence, what about experimental data?
Do essentialist accounts of sexual orientation really cause pro-LGB+ attitudes?
Explain why / why not.
(Piskur & Degelman, 1992) (Pratarelli & Donaldson, 1997) (Oldham & Kasser, 1992) (Hegarty, 2002) (Boysen & Vogel, 2007)
Experimental findings have been inconsistent
– Improved attitudes (Piskur & Degelman, 1992)
– Null effect (Pratarelli & Donaldson, 1997)
– More negative attitudes (Oldham & Kasser, 1992)
Why?
- “Born this way” beliefs have become symbolic markers of one’s pro-LGB+ politics, not causes (Hegarty, 2002)
- Biased assimilation and attitude polarisation (Boysen & Vogel, 2007)
chose argument that suits ur agenda
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Does learning biological explanations of homosexuality reduce prejudice?
(Boysen & Vogel, 2007)
- Biased assimilation is the tendency to evaluate belief-consistent information more positively than belief-inconsistent information.
- Attitude Polarisation is strengthening of one’s initial belief or attitude in response to ambiguous or contradictory evidence.
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Haslam & Levy, 2006
Factor 1: immuntability => more +
Factor 2: Discreteness => more negative attitudes toward LGB+ (increases isolation, in/out group)
These were the strongest predictors of LGB attitude
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3rd problem
Hubbard & de Vissor, 2015
Privilages certain groups over others i.e. gay and lesbian over bisexuals.
when bisexuals seen as discrete - seen as much more negative
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What is essentialist theories are not congruent with some peoples lives?
Diamond 2005;2008
Female Sexual Fluidity
‘unqueer’ refuse of labels
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discreteness beliefs linked to greater internalised homophobia in gay men
Morandini, J. S., Blaszczynski, A., Ross, M. W., Costa, D. S., & Dar-Nimrod, I. (2015). Essentialist beliefs, sexual identity uncertainty, internalized homonegativity and psychological wellbeing in gay men. Journal of counseling psychology, 62(3), 413.
rare and abo soething phonoenemodsfamsd
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Morandini, J. S., Blaszczynski, A., Costa, D. S., Godwin, A., & Dar-Nimrod, I. (2017). Born This Way: Sexual Orientation Beliefs a and Their Correlates in Lesbian and Bisexual Women. Journal of counseling psychology.
Lesbian (n=393) and Bisexual women (n=205)
– immutability beliefs predict less internalized homophobia
– discreteness linked to > internalised homophobia
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Conclusions for LGB+
- The ethical desirability of a behaviour is not determined by its causes, but by its consequences
- Non-heterosexual attractions, identities, and behaviours in-and-of-themselves don’t cause harm
- Essentialist theories don’t always improve attitudes to LGB+ individuals
- The study of the causes of sexual orientation shouldn’t be assumed to have any social or ethical implications for the treatment of LGB+ people….it’s interesting in-and-of- itself