Precarious Sexuality: Categorization and Stereotypes of Sexual Orientation

• In Event: 606 - Section on Social Psychology Roundtable Session (co-sponsored with Section on Sociology of Emotions)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 04. Stigmatized Identities

Abstract

Preliminary evidence indicates that sexual minorities face disadvantaging stereotypes, but little work has examined anyone other than gay men or lesbians, and the process by which individuals are classified into a sexual orientation category by others remains largely unexplored. Specifically, no research within sociology has examined the stereotype content of bisexual men and women, and the “default” category of heterosexual men and women usually goes unexamined. Without comparative ratings of heterosexuals and bisexuals, the impact and import of the stereotypes of gay men and lesbians is difficult to contextualize. We use the stereotype content model (SCM) to examine both overall sentiments surrounding sexual orientation, but also specific disadvantaging content inherent in stereotypes. In addition, we explore how men and women’s sexual behavior is differentially judged by others and how this influences assumptions of their sexual orientation. We propose the concept of “precarious sexuality”, where men’s heterosexuality must constantly be protected and can be easily lost. Across three survey experiments and diverse samples we find strong evidence that: (1) sexual minorities are consistently associated with disadvantaging stereotypes, (2) bisexuals face particularly negative stereotypes primarily due to assumptions of immaturity, indecisiveness, and dishonesty, and (3) men and women are judged differently for similar sexual behaviors, with men’s heterosexuality being especially “precarious”, or easily lost. We present both quantitative evidence to support our hypotheses as well as the results of content-coding of respondent’s open-ended answers to contextualize and add depth to the results.

Authors

• Trenton D. Mize, Indiana University

• Bianca Manago, Indiana University