Gender identity is an essential component of human personality that has been around since time immemorial.
It has become one of the most controversial topics, especially when it comes to LGBT individuals. Society has developed preconceived ideas about gender identity, which have led to discrimination against people who identify themselves differently. This article will discuss how psychological processes govern the transition from tolerance to genuine empathy toward LGBT individuals.
To understand this process, we must first define what LGBT means. The term stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender. LGBT individuals are people who do not fit into traditional male/female binary categories but rather identify with their gender characteristics beyond those categories. Some may be born with these traits, while others may develop them later in life. Regardless of the case, they require acceptance and understanding from society.
Many societies find it challenging to tolerate people with unorthodox sexual orientation. One reason is that these individuals defy social norms, leading to misinterpretation and misunderstanding among members of the community.
Some people believe that being gay is a choice or something that can be changed by counseling. Such attitudes result in stigmatization and ostracism of these individuals, preventing them from living healthy lives.
Empathizing with LGBT individuals requires us to acknowledge that everyone deserves respect regardless of their sexuality. We need to treat them like any other member of society without judgment. It also involves accepting that there are no set rules on how someone should express their gender identity.
A transgender individual identifies as a man even though assigned female at birth. They want to live their lives as men, dress up in masculine clothes, and cut their hair short.
Psychological processes such as cognitive dissonance help transition from tolerance to genuine empathy toward LGBT individuals. Cognitive dissonance refers to when our actions contradict our beliefs or values. When we encounter a situation where we cannot reconcile two conflicting thoughts, it creates tension within us. In this case, we may have conflicting ideas about homosexuality.
One may hold the view that homosexuality is wrong but finds themselves working closely with an LGBT colleague. This contradiction causes discomfort, leading to a change in attitude towards them. Gradually, they realize that there's nothing wrong with homosexuality and start treating their colleagues with more compassion.
They develop genuine empathy for these individuals.
Another psychological process involved in developing empathy towards LGBT individuals is social learning theory. Through observation and reinforcement, people learn appropriate behavior patterns regarding social situations.
Seeing someone being kind to another person encourages imitation. Similarly, if you see your friend or relative accept LGBT individuals and treat them well, you may be inspired to do so too.
Psychological processes govern the transition from tolerance to genuine empathy toward LGBT individuals. To achieve this, we must acknowledge everyone deserves respect regardless of their sexuality and accept their identities without judgment. We can also use social learning theory by observing positive examples and reinforcing them through practice. With patience and understanding, society will become more accepting of these individuals.
What psychological processes govern the transition from tolerance to genuine empathy toward LGBT individuals?
The development of empathy towards LGBT individuals is based on various factors that are influenced by psychological, emotional, and sociocultural elements. Empathy involves the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, which requires an individual to have an accurate perception of their perspective and experiences. The formation of empathy begins at a young age, as children start to develop social skills and gain exposure to diverse groups of people.