Psychopathy, a Moderator Linking Explicit Sexual Prejudice and Instrumental Aggression?

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

Victimization from hate-motivated violence and aggression is an unfortunate reality for many LGBTQ+ individuals (Katz-Wise & Hyde, 2012). Additionally, rates of hate crimes are increasing, as the FBI (2021) reported that 2020 holds the highest number of hate crimes within the past decade (7,759), 20% of which were committed out of sexual orientation bias. Prior research has shown that explicit sexual prejudice is predictive of anti-LGBTQ aggression (which could be considered a form of instrumental aggression). Psychopathy is often associated with or predictive of prejudices, including explicit sexual prejudice, as well as instrumental aggression and, more specifically, anti-gay aggression. It is possible that individuals with higher levels of psychopathic traits may present stronger relationships between explicit sexual prejudice and instrumental aggression. Yet there are no studies examining all variables together in a moderation analysis. This study analyzed psychopathy’s role as a moderator in the relationship between explicit sexual prejudice and instrumental aggression through hierarchical regression analysis. Participants completed self-report measures of psychopathy, explicit sexual bias, and instrumental aggression on an online survey. Untangling the relationships between individual differences contributing to biased instrumental aggression offers an opportunity to better understand some factors that may impact participation in hate-motivated violence.

Authors

• Jacob J. Zuluaga, The University of Alabama

• Alexandra Paige Harrison, University of Alabama

• Andrea Glenn, University of Alabama