Perceived Similarity With Gay Men Mediates the Effect of Antifemininity on Heterosexual Men’s Antigay Prejudice
Abstract
This research examined the hypothesis that heterosexual men’s motivation to differentiate themselves from gay men mediates the relationship between the antifemininity norm of masculinity and antigay prejudice. We assessed masculinity through three concepts: status, thoughness, and antifemininity. Participants then reported their perceived similarity with gay men and their antigay prejudice. The results showed that antifemininity was the best predictor of both perceived similarity and antigay prejudice: The more people endorsed the antifemininity norm, the more they perceived themselves as dissimilar from gay men and showed antigay prejudice. More important, perceived similarity mediated the effect of antifemininity on antigay prejudice. These findings provide direct evidence for the link between masculinity and the motivation to differentiate oneself from gay men, and they suggest that antigay prejudice accomplishes the identity function of maintaining unambiguous gender boundaries.
Keywords:
- antifemininity
- distinctiveness need
- masculinity
- perceived similarity
- sexual prejudice
Authors
Links
Publication information
Institutions:
Authors:
Juan M. Falomir-Pichastor, Carmen Martínez, Carolina Vázquez
Publisher:
Taylor & Francis, Journal of Homosexuality, Volume 62, 2015 - Issue 11, pp. 1560-1575
Languages:
English
City:
London
Year:
2015
Themes:
Disciplines:
Research labels:
Masculinities
Sexual orientation
Norms – normativity
Subjects:
Social psychology
Genres:
Article