Transnegativity based on defensiveness: Attitude functions as predictors of trans attitudes

Abstract

Katz (1960) proposed that attitudes exist because theyserve a function for the individual who holds them. Thistheory has been applied to attitudes towards gay menand lesbians (Herek, 1986), but work on attitudefunctions in relation to trans people is scant. The Attitude Functions Inventory (AFI) assesses whetherone’s outgroup beliefs are held because they reflect: (1)out group experiences (experiential function), (2) theopinions of important others (social-expressivefunction), (3) one’s values (value-expressive function),and/or (4) personal feelings of discomfort evoked bythe outgroup (ego-defensive function). Herek’s AFI wasapplied to help better understand the psychologicalfunctions underlying transnegative attitudes. Canadianuniversity student participants from 2001 (N= 157) and2014 (N= 218) completed the AFI and a Transgender Belief Scale (TBS). Those who based their beliefs onpersonal anxieties were most likely to be transnegative,as assessed using the TBS. Further, those who weremale, exclusively heterosexual, and more religious werethe least transpositive. This suggests defensiveness-thought to be a person’s response to a psychologicalthreat--might be the psychological basis of aperson’s trans attitudes. Understanding whypeople hold the attitudes they do can helpguide efforts to foster greater trans acceptanceand inclusion.