An investigation of attitudes towards sexually active women : the black sheep effect

Abstract

Research examining group dynamics and reactions towards typical and atypical in-group members has often focused on the Black Sheep Effect. The Black Sheep Effect refers to the derogation of in-group members violating an in-group norm more than out-group members behaving similarly. The norm regarding attitudes towards women engaging in premarital sex is considered relevant to the Lebanese context. Research has shown certain ambiguity regarding this norm. Certain studies have reported disapproval of premarital sex while others provide evidence for the approval of premarital sex in Lebanese samples. This study aimed at investigating the black sheep effect in relation to attitudes toward women engaging in premarital sex. This study differentiated between two types of premarital sexual activity coital and non-coital (and included a control condition, no sexual activity). Additionally, the study examined the Black Sheep Effect with reference to two salient social in-groups (religion and nationality). Thus, the study explored attitudes towards in-group and out-group women engaging in coital, non-coital premarital sex and not engaging in premarital sexual activity. Three-hundred participants, 150 males and 150 females were arbitrarily recruited from different areas in Beirut. The sample included approximately an equal number of Christians and Muslims. Participants were all Lebanese and ranged in age from 18 to 66 years. Participants were presented with different versions of a vignette depicting either an in-group or an out-group woman engaging in either type of sexual activity or in no sexual activity at all. Participants were asked to evaluate the target on several semantic traits and to respond to measures on hostile sexism, benevolent sexism and in-group identification. The results showed that only religious identification was correlated with evaluations of the target. When controlling for religious identification, there were no significant main effects for nationality and religion on evaluations of the target.