Heterosexual Men's Anger in Response to Male Homosexuality: Effects of Erotic and Non-Erotic Depictions of Male-Male Intimacy and Sexual Prejudice

Abstract

The present study compared effects of erotic and non-erotic depictions of male-male intimacy on the experience of anger in heterosexual men. Data came from three independent laboratory studies designed to elicit anger in response to erotic or non-erotic depictions of male-male and male-female intimacy. All participants completed a measure of sexual prejudice and anger was assessed before and after viewing the erotic or non-erotic video. Among high-prejudiced men, viewing erotic and non-erotic intimate behavior between two men elicited significant increases in anger relative to viewing comparable behavior between a male-female dyad. In contrast, among low-prejudiced men, viewing erotic, but not non-erotic, intimate behavior between two men elicited significant increases in anger relative to viewing comparable behavior between a male-female dyad. Implications for understanding heterosexual men's anger, and aggression, toward gay men were discussed.

Effects of alcohol and sexual prejudice on aggression toward sexual minorities.

“…Importantly, these effects are only observed when heterosexual men are first exposed to expressions of male-male intimacy (Parrott & Zeichner, 2005), presumably because this situational factor elicits aggression-promoting internal states (Parrott, 2008). Indeed, studies show that sexually prejudiced men who are exposed to male-male, relative to male-female intimacy, experience higher levels of self-reported anger and negative affect (e.g., Bernat et al, 2001; Hudepohl, Parrott, & Zeichner, 2010; Mahaffey, Bryan, & Hutchison, 2005a; 2005b) and hostile cognition (Parrott, Zeichner, & Hoover, 2006). …”

Can We Change Sexual Orientation?

“…Some researchers have found anti-homosexual aversion in some self-identified heterosexual men that may indicate a selfprotective anger often experienced by those who hold hypermasculine ideas and who may (or are anxious they might) experience arousal to same-sex stimuli (Hudepohl, Parrott, & Zeichner, 2010;Zeichner & Reidy, 2009). These negative ideas, anger, and anxiety (i.e., homophobia) may not be the same thing as sexual disgust or aversion.…”

Does the military turn men into criminals? New evidence from Australia’s conscription lotteries

“…These 'desired' military traits also may be relevant for violent behavior outside the military: masculinity has been identified with sexual violence (Morris 1996); dominance against minority groups (Houdepohl et al 2010); and violent rather than conciliatory responses to interpersonal conflict (Martin et al 2000;Wilkowski et al 2006). (iv) Conversely, military training aims to foster attributes such as maturity, cooperation, and agreeableness, all of which may be negatively related to crime perpetration.…”