INTERGROUP ANXIETY AND WILLINGNESS TO PARTNER: HETEROSEXUAL RESPONSE TO SEXUAL MINORITY CO-WORKERS by COREY S. MUÑOZ (Under the Direction of Kecia M. Thomas) ABSTRACT The diversification of the workplace is a growing trend in organizations today. Traditionally this diversity has focused on gender and racial diversity. However, this study broadens the definition of diversity to include sexual minority issues in the workplace. More specifically, this research accessed participant’s willingness to partner with a sexual minority coworker. Employee biographical forms have been provided as a means for manipulating variables (job level & sexuality). Previous contact experiences and intergroup anxiety towards sexual minorities were also examined as possible influences on participant’s willingness to partner. The results indicated that the sexuality of the co-workers did play an important part in participant’s willingness to partner as heterosexual employees were rated higher than homosexual. Gender differences were found in intergroup anxiety and previous contact experiences. Job level influenced distancing behaviors as the greatest differences in ratings between heterosexual and homosexual employees were found at the senior manager job level. INDEX WORDS: Gay & lesbian employees, Intergroup anxiety, Interpersonal heterosexism, Job partner, Co-worker attitudes, Employee job level INTERGROUP ANXIETY AND WILLINGNESS TO PARTNER: HETEROSEXUAL RESPONSE TO SEXUAL MINORITY CO-WORKERS by COREY S. MUÑOZ B.A., The Oklahoma State University, 2000 A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of The University of Georgia in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF SCIENCE ATHENS, GEORGIA 2003 © 2003 Corey S. Muñoz All Rights Reserved INTERGROUP ANXIETY AND WILLINGNESS TO PARTNER: HETEROSEXUAL RESPONSE TO SEXUAL MINORITY CO-WORKERS by COREY S. MUÑOZ Approved: Major Professor: Kecia Thomas Committee: Rob Mahan Bob Hill Electronic Version Approved: Maureen Grasso Dean of the Graduate School The University of Georgia December 2003 DEDICATION This paper represents a personal and professional milestone in my life and I chose to dedicate it to my parents, David and Susan. Words alone can not express the level of gratitude that I have for their encouragement and support through the years. There is not doubt in my mind that with out them, I would not be where I am today and it is for that reason alone that I am grateful. Thank you Mom and Dad! iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This project was definitely a collaborative piece of work. Therefore, I have many individuals I would like to thank. First and foremost, I would like to take a moment and acknowledge Kecia M. Thomas for her guidance, direction, and vision for this project. With out her support for research in this under studied area, this project would have never been possible. You are truly my mentor and your direction has been invaluable. I would also like to thank Bob Hill for his comments and review of previous versions of this document as well as his insight into the unique issues that gay and lesbian individuals face. Next, I would like to acknowledge Rob Mahan for his fresh and insightful perspective during the various phases of this project. Finally, I would like to thank my friends for their helpful support during this process. Jimmy, Taures, Tray, and Brad – thank you for your humor and for all the memories that we have together. Last but certainly not least, I would like to acknowledge Mike for always being there through every step and for sharing your life with me. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Page DEDICATION.................................................................................................................................v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS........................................................................................................... vi LIST OF TABLES......................................................................................................................... ix LIST OF FIGURES .........................................................................................................................x CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................1 2 INTERGROUP ANXIETY AND WILLINGNESS TO PARTNER: HETEROSEXUAL RESPONSE TO SEXUAL MINORITY CO-WORKERS.......2 Distancing Dynamic – Intergroup Anxiety ...............................................................3 Interpersonal Discrimination.....................................................................................8 Partner Job Level.....................................................................................................10 Summary .................................................................................................................12 Re-Statement of Hypotheses ...................................................................................13 3 METHOD ....................................................................................................................14 Participants ..............................................................................................................14 Design......................................................................................................................14 Scenario Development ............................................................................................16 Dependent Variables ...............................................................................................17 Use of Distracters ....................................................................................................19 Procedures ...............................................................................................................19 vi Pilot Study ...............................................................................................................20 4 RESULTS ....................................................................................................................21 Correlation Analysis................................................................................................21 T-test........................................................................................................................22 Repeated Measures ANOVA ..................................................................................23 Test for Mediation...................................................................................................27 5 DISCUSSION..............................................................................................................28 Gender Differences..................................................................................................28 Importance of Previous Contact..............................................................................29 Willingness to Partner .............................................................................................30 Future Research.......................................................................................................32 Limitations...............................................................................................................33 Implications.............................................................................................................34 REFERENCES ..............................................................................................................................36 APPENDICES ...............................................................................................................................41 A Participant Consent Form ............................................................................................42 B Participant Scenario Instructions .................................................................................43 C Candidate #1 ................................................................................................................44 D Candidate #2 ................................................................................................................45 E Candidate #3 ................................................................................................................46 F Candidate #4 ................................................................................................................47 G Candidate #5 ................................................................................................................48 vii H Candidate #6 ................................................................................................................49 I Candidate Recall and Decision Form ..........................................................................50 J Intergroup Anxiety Toward Homosexuals Scale.........................................................51 K Contact Experiences Questionnaire.............................................................................54 L Participant Demographic Questionnaire......................................................................56 M List of Distracter Items ................................................................................................57 viii LIST OF TABLES Page Table 1: Sample Characteristics.....................................................................................................15 Table 2: Intercorrelations and Coefficients Alpha for Scales and Variables.................................22 Table 3: Mean and Standard Deviations for Willingness