Student Type
Undergraduate
College Affiliation
College of Science, Technology, and Health
Department
Psychology, Sociology, and Public Health
Submission Type
Oral Presentation
Abstract
Despite wanting an independent identity we cannot deny that our perceived identity is heavily influenced by who our partner is. Our previous research found that black partners were perceived as significantly more black in intraracial couples (pictured with a black partner) than compared to interracial couples (Grembocki & Afful, 2019). We applied similar methodology to examine how an individual’s perceived identity varies in lesbian relationships when manipulating gender expression via clothing and posture. Our 156 participants were randomly assigned a picture of a couple followed with a short vignette in order to rate compatibility, perceived gender identity, and heteronormative attitudes. A key finding in our results was that a masculine presenting woman (in same dress and posture) was perceived as significantly less masculine when pictured with a man compared to a feminine woman (t(45) = -4.1, p =.001). These findings indicate that when relationships conform to gender norms, gender identity was polarized.
Recommended Citation
Gutierrez, Ximena and Struempth, Evan, "Mixed Methods Analysis of Perceived Gender Identity in Heterosexual and Lesbian Couples" (2023). 2023 Student Academic Showcase. 6.
https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/src_2023/Oral_Presentations/Session2/6
Included in
Mixed Methods Analysis of Perceived Gender Identity in Heterosexual and Lesbian Couples
Despite wanting an independent identity we cannot deny that our perceived identity is heavily influenced by who our partner is. Our previous research found that black partners were perceived as significantly more black in intraracial couples (pictured with a black partner) than compared to interracial couples (Grembocki & Afful, 2019). We applied similar methodology to examine how an individual’s perceived identity varies in lesbian relationships when manipulating gender expression via clothing and posture. Our 156 participants were randomly assigned a picture of a couple followed with a short vignette in order to rate compatibility, perceived gender identity, and heteronormative attitudes. A key finding in our results was that a masculine presenting woman (in same dress and posture) was perceived as significantly less masculine when pictured with a man compared to a feminine woman (t(45) = -4.1, p =.001). These findings indicate that when relationships conform to gender norms, gender identity was polarized.