Description
Negative behaviors targeting gay men and lesbians range from violent physical assault to avoiding social or physical contact, with very different implications for those targeted. However, existing theoretical accounts of sexual prejudices are unable to differentially predict these various behaviors, leaving a large theoretical hole in the literature and hindering the design of effective interventions. I propose (a) that homosexuality and pro-gay ideology are conceptualized by many lay persons as contaminants analogous to infectious diseases and (b) that anti-gay behaviors can thus be viewed as strategic attempts to prevent, contain, treat, or eradicate the "pathogens" of homosexuality and pro-gay ideology. In three preliminary studies I demonstrate that sexually prejudiced individuals do view homosexuality and pro-gay ideology as contagious, and that sexually prejudiced people report being more likely to engage in aggressive (versus avoidant) anti-gay behavior in conditions that predict an aggressive pathogen-combating response – highly interconnected social networks. The current study explores the effect of a social network manipulation on actual behavioral responses to a gay (versus straight) interaction partner. In this study I show that sexually prejudiced participants engage in more aggression towards a gay partner compared to a straight partner under a highly interconnected network manipulation.
Details
Title
- Community interconnectedness and anti-gay behavior: a test of the lay disease-spread model of homosexuality
Contributors
- Filip-Crawford, Gabrielle (Author)
- Neuberg, Steven L. (Thesis advisor)
- Kwan, Virginia S.Y. (Committee member)
- Adelman, Madelaine (Committee member)
- Becker, D. Vaughn (Committee member)
- Arizona State University (Publisher)
Date Created
The date the item was original created (prior to any relationship with the ASU Digital Repositories.)
2015
Subjects
Resource Type
Collections this item is in
Note
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thesisPartial requirement for: Ph. D., Arizona State University, 2015
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bibliographyIncludes bibliographical references (pages 69-76)
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Field of study: Psychology
Citation and reuse
Statement of Responsibility
by Gabrielle Filip-Crawford