Date of Award

5-2024

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

School

Psychology

Committee Chair

Dr. Donald Sacco

Committee Chair School

Psychology

Committee Member 2

Dr. Kenji Noguchi

Committee Member 2 School

Psychology

Committee Member 3

Dr. Kruti Surti

Committee Member 3 School

Psychology

Committee Member 4

Dr. Aaron Fath

Committee Member 4 School

Psychology

Abstract

Prejudice towards those that do not conform to stereotypical roles for their given sex remains a pervasive societal problem, particularly among gay and lesbian couples. However, few experimental studies investigating factors that affect prejudice toward such couples have been conducted. The current study sought to better understand the psychological factors driving these prejudices, particularly considering the long-term implications for gay and lesbian couples seeking to expand their families. One basis for this prejudice seems to be a reaction to gay or lesbian couples violating traditional familial and gender norms. To further investigate this prejudice, participants viewed either an opposite- or same-sex facial dyads along with a vignette indicating that this couple was seeking to adopt. Individual target faces were also manipulated to appear either more masculine or feminine and used to form nine unique pairings of sexually dimorphic couples. Participants then indicated the extent to which they thought each couple was likely to be approved for adoption and the couples’ parental abilities. This was followed by the Right-Wing Authoritarianism scale, a measure of value placed upon traditional norms, and a measure of extrinsic and intrinsic religiosity more nuanced understanding of the underpinnings of anti-gay discrimination. Results may guide future research for reducing these prejudices, particularly as it pertains to LGBTQ+ couples seeking to adopt.

ORCID ID

0000-0001-9953-8027

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