Date of Award

5-2010

Level of Access Assigned by Author

Campus-Only Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Psychology

Advisor

Shannon K. McCoy

Second Committee Member

Marie J. Hayes

Third Committee Member

Shawn W. Ell

Abstract

It has been suggested that sexual discrimination may be in part due to the violation of traditional gender norms that same-sex couples represent (Lehavot & Lambert, 2007). The current studies examine traditional gender norm endorsement (study 1) and salience (study 2) on response to gay and lesbian relationship violence. Findings indicate that greater endorsement of traditional gender norms (study 1) is associated with decreased perceived severity, willingness to intervene and increased victim blame (gay men only) in the sexual minority conditions. Gender norm salience (study 2) led to decreased perceived severity, willingness to intervene and increased victim blame in the gay male condition. Results of both studies suggest that traditional gender norms play a significant role in differential response to gay and lesbian relationship violence.

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