Differential predictors of opposition to same-sex marriage and sexual prejudice

Author

Latishia E Y Jett-Dias, Humboldt State UniversityFollow

Graduation Date

Fall 2018

Document Type

Thesis

Program

Master of Arts degree with a major in Psychology, option Academic Research

Committee Chair Name

Chris Aberson

Committee Chair Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Second Committee Member Name

Tasha Howe

Second Committee Member Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Third Committee Member Name

Amber Gaffney

Third Committee Member Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Keywords

Opposition to same-sex marriage, Sexual prejudice, Social dominance orientation, Opposition to equality, Group-based dominance, Conservatism

Subject Categories

Psychology

Abstract

This study investigated attitudes toward same-sex marriage and its beneficiaries from the frameworks of social dominance orientation (SDO) and political conservatism. Unlike past research that focused mainly on sexual prejudice, the current paper explicitly examined both opposition to same-sex marriage and sexual prejudice. Additionally, the current study explored subcomponents of SDO (i.e., opposition to equality [OEQ] and group-based dominance [GBD]). Study One examined relationships and predictive difference between attitudes toward same-sex marriage and its beneficiaries before California legalized same-sex marriage. Study Two addressed attitudes before and recently after California legalized same-sex marriage. OEQ, GBD, and conservatism predicted opposition to same-sex marriage and predicted sexual prejudice in both Study One and Study Two. Sexual prejudice became less prevalent after same-sex marriage became legal in California, but opposition to same-sex marriage remained unchanged. Despite a general decrease in sexual prejudice, conservatives’ sexual prejudice became stronger in Study Two. Findings may assist clinical professionals and social policy makers to reduce future stigma of sexual minorities by understanding nuances contributing to opposition to same-sex marriage and sexual prejudice.

Citation Style

APA

Recommended Citation

Jett-Dias, Latishia E Y, "Differential predictors of opposition to same-sex marriage and sexual prejudice" (2018). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 227.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/227