Divergent Perceptions of Lesbians: A Comparison of Lesbian Self-Perceptions and Heterosexual Perceptions
Article comments
Copyright © 1992 Taylor & Francis. This is an electronic version of an article published in The Journal of Social Psychology . The definitive version is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00224545.1992.9922969.
Abstract
Social-psychological research on stereotyping was applied to lesbianism among American college students. The hypothesis that stereotypes of lesbians are often inaccurate predictors of individual lesbians was supported. Using stereotypes of lesbians identified by previous research, lesbians rated themselves on a series of bipolar stereotypical adjectives, and a comparison group of nonlesbians rated lesbians as a group on these same adjectives. Significant differences were found on 16 of the 21 adjectives. Knowing a lesbian personally did not influence heterosexuals' ratings, suggesting the resistance of stereotypes to change.
Suggested Citation
Denise C. Viss and Shawn M. Burn. "Divergent Perceptions of Lesbians: A Comparison of Lesbian Self-Perceptions and Heterosexual Perceptions" The Journal of Social Psychology 132.2 (1992): 169-177.
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/sburn/14