Heterosexism

• Non-heterosexual orientations have been ignored. Most of the research into relationships, love and sex have concentrated exclusively on heterosexual couples
• Heterosexism is the assumption that heterosexual relationships are

  the norm, and that any other relationship is inferior/abnormal.

  This means that every relationship is judged against the ‘norms’ of

  heterosexual relationships.
• Alpha bias – over-exaggerating any differences found between heterosexual and homosexual relationships
• Beta bias – comparing homosexual relationships to the heterosexual standard
• Blumstien and Schwartz 


  Among couples together for longer than 10 years:

  22% of wives ,30% of husbands, 43% of lesbians, 94% of gay men

  Reported they have had sex with someone other than their partner during their relationship
• Blumstien and Schwartz 


  Such findings have to be considered in relation to the social context:

  Civil partnerships/marriages were not available - lack of legal ties.

  Cannot make comparisons to heterosexual relationships (beta

  bias). Lack of understanding of gay relationships – more likely to have open relationships. However, this could also lead to an alpha bias – by distinguishing heterosexual and homosexual relationships as different (and requiring different research) this may perpetuate stereotypes
• In relation to the invisibility of women, you could consider how

  lesbian women could be viewed as invisible in psychology. Feminist psychologists are placing more attention on understanding lesbian mothers and exploring other overlooked topics in research
• While psychology’s attitude towards homosexuality has changed,

  there are still issues of heterosexism.

  • Bisexuality is ignored or considered to be the same as homosexual or heterosexual relationships.
  • Asexuality has also been understudied