| Heterosexism, or the prejudice leveled at lesbians, gay men, and bisexual people, continues to persist in society. Numerous personality and demographic variables have been implicated. The element of social conformity, or submission to a dominant group opinion, in relation to heterosexism has not been thoroughly explored. This quantitative study investigated the influence of social conformity on personal levels of heterosexism and the role that traditionality of gender roles plays in this relationship. Also explored was the attitude-behavior relationship between personal attitudes toward lesbians and gay men and behavioral support for this population. Social Conformity Theory and Neofunctional Theory provided the theoretical bases for the study. The study sample included 194 undergraduate students from a Midwestern university. A pre-post design measuring heterosexism and surrounding the study intervention of mock public opinion about lesbians and gay men was analyzed using a MANOVA. No significant change between pre and post heterosexist attitudes, surrounding the intervention, was detected. A correlation did exist between participant beliefs regarding traditionality of gender roles and personal levels of heterosexism, with females being more nontraditional in gender role beliefs and less heterosexist. Using chi-square analyses, attitude-behavior consistency was demonstrated in that participants with less heterosexist attitudes were more likely to indicate intent to sign a petition supporting an LGBT organization. Also, participants exposed to positive public opinion were more likely to sign the petition. Social influence on personal attitudes and behavior is a potential social change agent for prejudice reduction and warrants further study. |
