In the field of moral psychology, several explanations have been offered for why there is persistent discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBT) individuals, despite laws and social norms that prohibit it. One explanation comes from the concept of implicit attitudes, which are beliefs or judgments that people hold without being aware of them. Implicit attitudes can influence behavior, such as when someone automatically associates positive words with straight people and negative words with LGBT people. This association may lead to discriminatory actions even if the person does not consciously intend to treat LGBT people unfairly. Another explanation is cognitive dissonance, which occurs when people hold contradictory thoughts or beliefs.
Someone might believe that all people should be treated equally but also harbor unconscious biases against LGBT people. When confronted with evidence of their own prejudice, they experience tension and seek ways to resolve it, such as rationalizing their behavior. Social identity theory suggests that people identify themselves with certain groups, including those based on sexuality. People who strongly identify with heterosexuality may feel threatened by LGBT individuals and respond with bias. In addition, social learning theory posits that people learn attitudes and behaviors through observation and reinforcement. Therefore, even well-intentioned parents may teach children to be prejudiced towards LGBT people through subtle messages about gender roles, sexuality, and relationships.
Framing effects suggest that how information is presented can affect perception and decision-making.
Describing an issue in terms of "sexual orientation" rather than "gender identity" may make some people more likely to oppose legal protections for transgender people. Addressing these explanations requires a multi-faceted approach, including education, policy changes, and challenging societal norms.
In what ways does moral psychology explain the persistence of covert discrimination and subtle prejudice against LGBT individuals?
Moral psychology offers an explanation for the persistence of covert discrimination and subtle prejudice against LGBT individuals by examining how these biases are rooted in social norms and cultural values. According to this perspective, people's attitudes towards LGBT individuals are influenced by their personal beliefs about gender roles and sexuality, which may be shaped by their upbringing, religious background, and cultural context.