Exploring the Role of Heteronormativity in the Study of Sexuality and Gender Identity Prejudice: A Quantitative Analysis

This thesis takes an intersectional feminist approach to the quantification of Heteronormative attitudes using both survey and experimental methods. Its primary aim is to explore both the predictors of and evidence the impact of both explicit and implicit heteronormative beliefs on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Prejudice within a UK sample. As such, it evidences uses of heteronormativity theory, using psychology methodology, to quantify the effect of this Heteronormative attitudes. Survey methodology provides correlational evidence towards the effect if heteronormative attitudes on prejudicial attitudes, across a varied sample. Experimental methods are used to create an Implicit Association Test and to test the manipulation of threat and social dominance orientation. These methodological choices will provide as further rationale for the use of quantitative methods in exploring the predictors and effects of heteronormative attitudes. Study one confirmed explicit Heteronormative attitudes to be predictive of both Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Prejudice, acting as a mediator between Social Dominance Orientation and Resistance to Change and prejudice. In study two three variations of the H-IAT were created to test cisgender heterosexual preference over transgender heterosexuals (H-IAT 1), cisgender homosexuals (H-IAT-2) and transgender homosexuals (H-IAT 3). The H-IAT 2 and 3 showed construct, known group, discriminate and convergent validity in the anticipated directions. Furthermore, the predictive ability of the H-IAT 2 and 3 suggested that implicit Heteronormative attitudes accounted for some of the lack of willingness to act positively towards LGBTQ+ individuals. Study three experimentally manipulated threat, however the manipulation check showed this was unsuccessful. Exploratory analysis was instead conducted, providing correlational support that threat is linked to Social Dominance Orientation, leading to higher Heteronormative attitudes and lower positive behavioural intention to support LGBTQ+ individuals. Grounded in interdisciplinary awareness, the findings of this thesis serve as a foundation for further exploration of heteronormative beliefs within psychology to enrich our understanding of contemporary societal dynamics in the UK.