"Don't Ask, Don't Tell": The Influence of Stigma Concealing and Perceived Threat on Perceivers' Reactions to a Gay Target |
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Authors: | Debra L. Oswald |
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Affiliation: | Marquette University |
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Abstract: | This research examined reactions to a gay target who was either concealing or not concealing his sexual orientation under conditions of threat (HIV-positive) or no threat (healthy). When the target concealed his sexual orientation, participants were more willing to interact socially with him, but rated him as having more negative characteristics than when he was open about his sexual orientation. Participants rated a threatening target more negatively on a thermometer evaluation, perceived him to be more immoral, had more negative affective reactions, and desired more social distance than when the target was nonthreatening. The results are integrated with previous theoretical discussions and are considered in terms of the conflicting motivations of perceivers and targets. |
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