L15- sex minority stress Flashcards
What is sexual orientation?
Enduring pattern of sexual and/ or a romantic attraction to men, women or both
What is sexual identity, and why is it different to sexual orientation?
Sexual identity is ones personal and social identification as an LGBT person and the beliefs, values and group affiliations that go along with that
What is sexual behaviour?
With who one decides to engage in sexual encounters and/ or romantic relationships \
What is sexual orientation essentialism?
Seeing sexuality as:
o Innate vs learned/ acquired
o Immutable vs changeable/ chosen
o Fixed across a lifespan vs fluid/ dynamic
o Universal across time/ culture vs specific to particular time/ place
o Exists in discrete categories vs continuous
What did Bailey and Pillar (91)’s twins study on behaviour genetics reveal about homosexuality?
a) there is no genetic component
b) there is a mild genetic component
c) there is a strong genetic component
c) there is a strong genetic component
- 52% concordance in SO between M twins (M)
- Heritability/ genes
- 22% concordance in SO between DZ twins (M)
What is the ‘gay gene’ discovered by Hammer in 1993, then replicated in 2014?
An X linked marker
What is the fraternal birth older effect?
Latter born sons more likely to be gay- only from the same mother
Which area of the brain was identified as being different in gay and straight men bi LeVay (91)?
a) the prefrontal cortex
b) the hypothalamus
c) the amygdala
d) the cerebellum
b) the hypothalamus
What would be the importance in attributing homosexuality to being genetically determined?
Because of attribution theory, where controllable signs are viewed more negatively than uncontrollable ones, stigma would be reduced considerably if homosexuality was seen as being genetically determined and outside of the individuals control
What does the research behind using genetic theories as a means to combat sexual prejudice say?
a) there is strong evidence for improved attitudes
b) there is no evidence for improved attitudes
c) the findings have been inconsistent
c) the findings have been inconsistent
Why has the ‘born this way’ lost some of its effect?
Has been used as a symbol in areas such as same-sex marriage and sexual politics, so the scientific side of it has been slightly lost
How does biased assimilation affect the influence of genetic theories in individuals?
You are more likely to evaluate information positively that is belief-consistent rather than belief-inconsistent- faced with the science, will still believe it’s a choice if that’s what you’ve always believed
What were Boysen and Vogel (07)’s findings on the effect of explaining the role of genes in sexual orientation?
a) attitudes improved with both participants that had pro-LGBT and negative LGBT attitudes
b) attitudes improved with pro-LGBT individuals but decreased in those with negative LGBT attitudes
c) attitudes decreased with both participants that had pro-LGBT and negative LGBT attitudes
b) attitudes improved with pro-LGBT individuals but decreased in those with negative LGBT attitudes
Why is the immutability component of sexual orientation in essentialist beliefs related to more positive attitudes?
Because of attribution theory- if SO is seen as being immutable/ biological/ fixed/ is beyond the individuals control or choice, result in a more positive attitude in the beholder of the belief
Why is the discreteness component of sexual orientation in essentialist beliefs related to more negative attitudes?
It enhances the perception of group differences- so the fact that there are multiple categories, straight, bisexual, gay increases stereotyping- so as a straight individual if you see bisexuals/ gays as fundamentally different to yourself then you will view them more negatively
