Title

Divergent Perceptions of Lesbians: A Comparison of Lesbian Self-Perceptions and Heterosexual Perceptions

Author Info

Denise C. Viss
Shawn M. Burn, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis ObispoFollow

Recommended Citation

Postprint version. Published in The Journal of Social Psychology, Volume 132, Issue 2, January 1, 1992, pages 169-177.

The definitive version is available at https://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.

Disciplines

Psychology

Copyright

1992 Taylor & Francis.

Publisher statement

This is an electronic version of an article published in The Journal of Social Psychology.