Sexual Prejudice in the Society

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Table of Contents

Abstract
Introduction
Method
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
References

Abstract

The topic of the research study is to analyze the way people view sexuality and how any differences in sexual preferences are reflected on the individuals and the views about those individuals by people around. A number of questionnaires were handed out, where the participant groups were organized according to age and gender. The choices of candidates varied between heterosexual and homosexual. The results have shown that there is no significant difference in the way females and males view sexuality and the qualities of people with different orientations. But, different values have shown that people with homosexual orientation are judged differently by others according to their social qualities and competency. This leads to the conclusion that there is a form of prejudice that exists in the society and people are predisposed to certain views towards other individuals.

Introduction

Hypotheses: The study will be directed to predict that people of male and female gender view homosexuality differently. Another hypothesis is that the qualities of a person will be viewed differently according to their sexual orientation. The sources to be used in research are as follows. The article “Cohort differences in tolerance of homosexuality: attitudinal change in Canada and the United States” analyzes how different generations and age groups view sexual orientation. The toleration towards the difference between individuals is analyzed and compared to other groups (Andersen & Fetner, 2008). “The psychology of sexual prejudice” looks at the attitudes that people exhibit towards others and their sexual orientation. Social research is analyzed, considering psychological reasoning and the view of the larger part of the population. A cruel reality in treatment of people who are different is shown and the reasons are examined. The article compares the past struggles of people of different sexual orientation and the hardships they face today. The term “sexual prejudice” specifically illustrates how society has created a predisposition and stereotypical attitude towards other individuals (Herek, 2000). An article by Herek, “Assessing attitudes toward lesbians and gay men: A review of empirical research with the ATLG scale”, takes a statistical look at the way society’s opinions are distributed. Reliability and validity of the research play and important role and ATLG scale organize that data for easy and precise interpretation (Herek, 1994). The journal “Sex differences in how heterosexuals think about lesbians and gay men: Evidence from survey context effects”, illustrates experiments that were produced to show the correlation of different views. The results were also separated into White and Black males and their assertions (Herek & Capitanio, 1999). “Do heterosexual women and men differ in their attitudes toward homosexuality?” is an article that compares gender views on sexuality. The way people brought up is very unique and the society has shown that males and females have very original styles of upbringing. This reflects on their attitude later in life and is considered a significant factor (Kite & Whitley, 1998). In order to determine people’s views according to the rights and freedoms, article titled “Civil liberties, civil rights, and stigma: Voter attitudes and behavior in the politics of homosexuality”, takes a look at the way politics are involved in people’s opinions and how the country sets the pace for the society to follow (Strand, 1998).

Method

Participants

44 males and 111 females will be the sample group. Ages are 15 years old minim and 55 maximum. Participants will be from Humanities and Social Sciences, Law and Business faculties, and also students abroad and double degree.

Materials

A questionnaire will be a photograph of a person without any personal descriptions. The scale will be from 1 to 11, where 1 is the least and 11 is the highest rating. An example is a question “To what extent do you consider David to be generous?”

Design

The independent variable will be type and number of questions asked. It will be manipulated by the researcher to see the changes in responses. The dependent variable will be the responses themselves. People’s opinions and thoughts will depend on the questions being asked.

Procedure

The questionnaire will be handed out to people throughout campus. The selection will be random. The responses will be marked down and counted to come up with patterns and response preferences.

Results

In order to evaluate the qualities of candidates, more particularly, competency and sociability, several independent t-tests were produced. They were arranged according to the difference between the gender of the evaluators and the sexual orientation of homosexuality versus heterosexuality of candidates. First, candidates were evaluated according to gender of the participants and their views on the possible selection of potential individuals. The results showed that there was no particular preference and that gender of the people involved did not matter in the selection of the candidates. The values were as follows: sociability t(75) = 2.12, p =.33 and competency t(75) = -1.47, p =.15. The second group’s main criterion for evaluation was the sexual orientation of the candidates. The results have shown that the participants gave preference to heterosexual orientation when judging in terms of competency and sociability. The values for competency were t(153) = 4.35 p =.01 and sociability t(153) = 3.21, p =.00, as compared to homosexual orientation. The following table illustrates the data in terms of means and standard deviation:

Competency and sociability evaluation by gender of evaluators and sexual preferences of the candidates.

Gender table

Discussion

The aim of the study is to show a correlation between people’s age, gender and their views towards others of different sexual preferences. The results and methods of the report have shown that males and females think of sexuality in almost the same way and their views towards sexual orientation different from their own, are closely similar. The findings show that both males and females are suscepted to the same influences and judgments. Even though males and females have different characteristics of individuality, the society has a significant impact on how minorities are viewed by the greater population. In theory, the correlation and difference of genders was supposed to be noticeable. Males are considered more judgmental of others while females are more tolerant. It has been shown that this is true in several instances. But, according to the research and survey, this particular attitude towards sexuality has identified that there is no difference in views between genders. The present report has only analyzed a part of the population with specific proximity to a certain location. This means that people of particular social qualities were examined. The society is a multifaceted organism and the opinions of certain groups are often related to the geographical and social location. In order for the research to be more specific, a sample of people from different levels of society should be taken. Class, amount of education and cultural qualities all play a role in the way people view others.

Conclusion

The results of the research have shown that society has an important role in the formation of people’s attitudes and behaviors. Even though people have their own opinions, they are forced to go along with the majority and this proves that peer and social pressure is a great determinant in people’s lives.

References

Andersen, R., & Fetner, T. (2008). Cohort differences in tolerance of homosexuality: attitudinal change in Canada and the United States, 1981-2000. Public Opinion Quarterly, 72 (2), 311-331.

Herek, G.M. (1994). Assessing attitudes toward lesbians and gay men: A review of empirical research with the ATLG scale. In B. Greene & G.M. Herek (Eds.), Lesbian and gay psychology (pp. 206–228). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Herek, G. M. (2000). The psychology of sexual prejudice. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 9 (1), 19-22.

Herek, G.M., & Capitanio, J.P. (1999). Sex differences in how heterosexuals think about lesbians and gay men: Evidence from survey context effects. Journal of Sex Research, 36, 348–360.

Kite, M.E., & Whitley, B.E., Jr. (1998). Do heterosexual women and men differ in their attitudes toward homosexuality? A conceptual and methodological analysis. In G.M. Herek (Ed.), Stigma and sexual orientation: Understanding prejudice against lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals (pp. 39–61). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

Strand, D. (1998). Civil liberties, civil rights, and stigma: Voter attitudes and behavior in the politics of homosexuality. In G.M. Herek (Ed.), Stigma and sexual orientation: Understanding prejudice against lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals (pp. 108–137). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

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