Graduation Date

Spring 2021

Document Type

Thesis

Program

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

Committee Chair Name

Christopher Aberson

Committee Chair Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Second Committee Member Name

Amber Gaffney

Second Committee Member Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Third Committee Member Name

Ben Skillman

Third Committee Member Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Keywords

Bisexual, Bisexuality, Implicit prejudice, Bisexual erasure

Subject Categories

Psychology

Abstract

Bisexual erasure is a phenomenon in which the existence of bisexuality is broadly omitted from history, media, and research. Bisexual erasure contributes to stereotypes that bisexuality is a strictly transitional identity, only used in the process of sexually-experimenting or coming out as gay. Although well-documented in qualitative research on bisexuality, the negative effects of bisexual erasure on bisexual women’s mental health and ability to access LGBT+ resources have not been shown in an experimental context. In a vignette study, participants (N= 276) were asked to review application materials for a potential recipient of an LGBT+ exclusive scholarship award. Regardless of whether applicants were highly or ambiguously qualified for the scholarship, bisexual women received the award at lower rates than lesbian women. Additionally, bisexual women in current opposite-sex relationships received the award at substantially lower rates than bisexual women in current same-sex relationships. These results suggest that common perceptions of bisexuality may bar bisexual women from accessing LGBT+ resources.

Citation Style

APA

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