A divergence between performance on the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) and the Modern Homonegativity Scale (MHS): Between-group differences and the influence of a negativity bias in the formation of gay-related implicit attitudes. In P.M. Brochu, (Chair) Contemporary issues in the psychology of prejudice. Invited symposium

This paper presents a study that employed a known-groups approach (i.e., heterosexual and non-heterosexual participants) to determine if implicit and explicit homonegativity would: (a) be related; and (b) differ as a function of group-status. Each IRAP trial presented one of two sample stimuli (e.g., ‘Straight’ or ‘Gay’), a single positive or negative target stimulus (e.g., ‘abnormal,’ or ‘dangerous’) and two response options/relational terms (e.g., ‘Similar’ or ‘Opposite’). Four IRAP trial-types were created (i.e., Straight-Positive, Straight-Negative, Gay-Positive, and Gay-Negative). The Modern Homonegativity Scale (MHS: Morrison & Morrison, 2002) assessed explicit homonegativity. Results showed that the groups diverged on ‘Gay-Negative’ IRAP trials (i.e., only the heterosexual group produced implicit homonegativity). Specifically, the heterosexual group confirmed out-group ‘Gay Negative’ IRAP statements more quickly than the non-heterosexual group who denied them more quickly. On the MHS, heterosexuals expressed greater homonegativity than their non-heterosexual counterparts. Crucially, implicit and explicit attitudes were
unrelated. The IRAP effects are consistent with recent evidence suggesting the influence of a negativity bias in attitude formation (c.f., Kunda, 1999). Furthermore, the data suggest that the IRAP may provide a valid measure of implicit homonegativity.