Assessing attitude revision in an online sample
- WCU Author/Contributor (non-WCU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Daniel C. Strassburger (Creator)
- Institution
- Western Carolina University (WCU )
- Web Site: http://library.wcu.edu/
- Advisor
- Thomas Ford
Abstract: Previous research on attitudes toward homosexuals utilized vignettes presented in a holistic
fashion to participants (Batson, Floyd, Meyer, & Winner, 1999; Bassett et al., 2002; Mak &
Tsang, 2008). In these vignettes, participants learned of a person’s sexual orientation and their
sexual behavior. The present study implemented a methodological change which allows for a
clearer understanding of a person’s attitudes toward a homosexual person and toward
homosexuality. The vignettes that were administered holistically in previous studies were
separated into two critical pieces – one detailing the sexual orientation of the target and the other
detailing the sexual behavior of the target. The present study extended the findings of previous
research by addressing three novel questions. First, what are people’s attitudes toward a person
who revealed that they are either homosexual or heterosexual and are those attitudes affected by
later learning that the person is promiscuous or celibate? Second, whether the content of a
person’s religious beliefs affect these attitudes? Third, if people do revise their initial attitudes
toward a homosexual person after learning that they are celibate? The data support the first
hypothesis – participants did revise their attitudes after learning the target’s sexual behavior. The
results also support the second hypothesis. Christian Orthodoxy did accentuate the
effects of attitude revision. The third hypothesis was supported by the data – devout Christians
liked a celibate person more than a promiscuous person regardless of the person’s sexual
orientation.
Assessing attitude revision in an online sample
PDF (Portable Document Format)
149 KB
Created on 4/1/2011
Views: 1241
Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- Language: English
- Date: 2011
- Keywords
- Attitude, Celibate, Homosexual, Promiscuous, Sequential
- Subjects
- Homosexuality -- Religious aspects -- Christianity
- Sex -- Religious aspects -- Christianity
- Christian conservatism
- Homosexuality -- Public opinion