Gender Belief Systems: Homosexuality and the Implicit Inversion Theory

Abstract

Beliefs about the characteristics of male and female homosexuals and heterosexuals were assessed to determine the degree to which stereotypes of homosexuals are consistent with the inversion model proposed by Freud (1905) and others, i.e., the assumption that homosexuals are similar to the opposite–sex heterosexual. Results showed that people do subscribe to an implicit inversion theory wherein male homosexuals are believed to be similar to female heterosexuals, and female homosexuals are believed to be similar to male heterosexuals. These results offer additional support for a bipolar model of gender stereotyping, in which masculinity and femininity are assumed to be in opposition.

Can Being Gay Provide a Boost in the Hiring Process? Maybe If the Boss is Female

“…In particular, compared to heterosexual women, lesbians are more likely to be perceived as career-oriented rather than family-oriented (Peplau & Fingerhut, 2004). Additionally, lesbians are not assumed to be mothers as often as heterosexual women, which leads to the perception that lesbians are more committed to their jobs (Kite & Deaux, 1987) and therefore, less likely to experience wage and hiring penalties associated with motherhood (Baumle, 2009). Together, these stereotypes of lesbians contribute to the perception that relative to heterosexual women, lesbians are more independent, assertive, competitive, and self-confident, characteristics typically equated with competence and success in business contexts (Peplau & Fingerhut, 2004).…”

Predicting opposition to the civil rights of trans persons in the United Kingdom

“…Secondly, trans persons' gender identities have often been medically managed in ways that privilege heterosexual people (Bolin, 1988). Thirdly, stereotypes describe lesbians and gay men as 'gender inverted' (Kite & Deaux, 1987, but see also Deaux & Lewis, 1984;Simon, 1998;Taylor, 1983); the categories 'gay', 'lesbian', and 'trans people' may be confused for some nontrans heterosexual people.…”

Homofobia transatlântica: preconceito contra lésbicas e gays em Portugal e no Brasil

“…Nas palavras de Kimmel, a "noção de anti-feminilidade está no cerne das construções históricas e contemporâneas da masculinidade, de tal forma que a masculinidade se defi ne mais pelo que não se é do que pelo que se é" (1994, p. 119). Postulando os estereótipos acerca das lésbicas e dos gays que estes possuem os traços do sexo "oposto" (Kite & Deaux, 1987), a homossexualidade é geralmente associada um comportamento de gênero invertido. Adicionalmente, dado que a masculinidade hegemônica é defi nida como exclusivamente heterossexual (Connell, 1987(Connell, , 1995Kimmel, 1994), a homossexualidade masculina é vista como uma contradição e uma expressão de feminilidade.…”

“…Verifi ca-se assim que os homens são mais infl e-xíveis do que as mulheres no que diz respeito às normas de gênero, julgando de forma mais severa aqueles que consideram desviar-se dessas mesmas normas (Badinter, 1997;Connell, 1987Connell, , 1995Eagly et al, 2000;Fiske et al, 2002;Herek, 1993;Kimmel, 1994;Kite & Deaux, 1987;Kite & Whitley, 1996;Pratto & Walker, 2004;West & Zimmerman, 1987Williams & Best, 1990). Adicionalmente, os resultados deste estudo evidenciam que o gênero infl uencia de igual forma expressões tradicionais modernas do preconceito contra lésbicas e gays.…”