Coming out is the process of revealing one's true gender identity or sexual orientation to others, which can evoke strong emotions such as anxiety, confusion, embarrassment, and loneliness. This essay will examine the psychological processes underlying this experience using social psychology and existential theory.
According to social psychologist Bem, the self is composed of three parts: the public self, private self, and true self. The public self represents how an individual presents themselves to society; the private self includes thoughts and feelings that are kept secret from others; while the true self is the authentic self that exists beyond societal expectations. Coming out involves challenging the public self and exposing the private self to external judgement, potentially threatening both identities. Thus, coming out can induce fear and resistance due to the threat it poses to these selves.
Existentialists view coming out as a quest for meaning and belonging. Existential psychologists believe that humans seek purpose and significance through relationships, but that these cannot be predetermined or prescribed. Therefore, coming out may lead to rejection or isolation, creating a sense of uncertainty about personal value. This can provoke a crisis of identity and existential anxiety.
Social psychology provides additional insights into fear and resistance during coming out. Social cognition explains that individuals rely on social cues to form impressions and attitudes towards others. Coming out entails challenging established social norms and disrupting preconceptions, making it difficult to predict how others will react.
Group identification theory suggests that people identify with in-groups (e.g., heterosexuals) and reject out-groups (e.g., homosexuals). Therefore, coming out can create conflict between personal beliefs and social affiliation, increasing fear and defensiveness.
This essay has explored the psychological processes underlying the fear and resistance experienced during coming out using two frameworks: social psychology and existentialism. The process of coming out challenges our public and private selves and may create a crisis of identity and existential anxiety. It also conflicts with societal expectations and values, leading to fear and defensiveness. Understanding these psychological mechanisms is crucial for supporting individuals through the coming out process.
What psychological processes underpin the fear and resistance experienced during the coming out process, and how can these be examined through both social psychology and existential frameworks?
The coming out process is often accompanied by feelings of fear and anxiety due to a variety of factors that are influenced by both psychological and sociocultural forces. In terms of psychological influences, individuals may feel anxious about the potential reactions of others to their sexuality, which can lead to negative self-esteem, depression, and anxiety disorders (Drescher, 2016).