Perception of sexual orientation as a function of amount and type of stereotype

Abstract

PERCEPTION OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION AS A FUNCTION OF AMOUNT AND TYPE OF STEREOTYPE by Cecil F. Abrams Jr. This study was designed to investigate the effects of amount and type of male stereotypes on perception of male sexual orientation. Six behavioral packets containing various combinations of gay, straight, and neutral male behavioral sentences, with regard to a fictitious person named Tim, were developed, standardized, and administered to 90 undergraduates. Participants were asked to read each behavioral sentence, and to form as clear an impression of Tim as possible. They were then asked to rate the likelihood that Tim is gay, as well as the likelihood that he is straight. Results confirmed the assumption that the type of male stereotypes known about a male target directly influences perceptions of the male target's sexual orientation. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would first like to recognize and thank my family and close friends for their continued support in seeing me through the delayed completion of this thesis. Likewise, I would like to acknowledge my thesis committee for their lasting hope in me, even though I occasionally lost hope in myself. I would also like to acknowledge San Jose State University for affording me an invaluable education and life changing experience.