Abstract

This research assessed comfort levels toward sexual diversity. Sexual diversity encompasses anyone who identifies with a gender or sexual orientation other than one that is socially accepted for his or her gender. This research followed Ceglian and Lyons’ (2004) study which assessed people’s comfort levels towards cross-dressing men. They showed that comfort levels towards cross-dressing men could be altered. They explained their findings using the mere exposure effect which refers to the tendency that over time, people will develop a preference for something or someone they are repeatedly exposed to (Zajonc, 2001). Participants in the study filled out two surveys that assessed their comfort level towards sexual diversity. There were two groups in this study; an experimental group, which saw a video pertaining to sexual diversity between the two surveys and a control group who saw a filler video between the two surveys. Pre-exposure and post-exposure scores were compared to see if there was a change in the participants’ level of acceptance towards sexual diversity. It was found that comfort levels increased across groups within this study. A significant difference between pre-exposure and post-exposure scores was found for the experimental group but not for the control group. These results show that the comfort levels towards sexual diversity can be altered in a relatively short period of time.

Recommended Citation

Maeys, Nate (2013) "Understanding Sexual Diversity," Undergraduate Psychology Research Methods Journal: Vol. 1: Iss. 15, Article 6.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/psych_journals/vol1/iss15/6