Description
The current study explored whether intrinsically religious individuals are able to separate the "sin" from the "sinner" (i.e., separate category membership from behavior) when judging homosexual individuals, or whether they are instead subject to the negativity bias (judgments based solely on category membership) in moral judgments. All effects were expected to occur only for participants high in homophobia. Participants were 305 undergraduate male and female students at a large, public university in the southwestern U.S. Respondents read one of five scenarios that described gay or straight targets who were celibate or engaged in same or opposite sex relationships, then were asked to respond to a series of questions evaluating attitudes and behavioral intentions toward the target. Results revealed that homophobia led to a negativity bias in judgments of gay targets, which was intensified by intrinsic religiosity. However, individuals high on intrinsic religiosity and high on homophobia also differentiated between gay targets based on sexual behavior, such that gay targets who were celibate or in an opposite-sex relationship were rated more favorably than gay targets in a same-sex relationship. These findings demonstrate that the negativity bias and "sin vs. sinner" differentiation may both be occurring for intrinsically religious individuals. The moderating effect of homophobia on the interaction between intrinsic religiosity and judgments of gay and straight targets shows us that religiosity itself is not inherently tolerant or intolerant.
Details
Title
- Identity vs. behavior: exploring the basis of moral judgments of homosexuality
Contributors
- Filip-Crawford, Gabrielle (Author)
- Nagoshi, Craig T. (Thesis advisor)
- Kwan, Virginia S.Y. (Committee member)
- Neuberg, Steven L. (Committee member)
- Arizona State University (Publisher)
Date Created
The date the item was original created (prior to any relationship with the ASU Digital Repositories.)
2011
Resource Type
Collections this item is in
Note
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thesisPartial requirement for: M.A., Arizona State University, 2011
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bibliographyIncludes bibliographical references (p. 38-41)
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Field of study: Psychology
Citation and reuse
Statement of Responsibility
by Gabrielle Filip-Crawford