Browsing by Subject "Essentialism"

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Children's and adults' conceptions of authentic objects and the role of authenticity in learning
(2016-08) Miller, Brooke Jessica; Woolley, Jacqueline D.; Bigler, Rebecca; Echols, Catherine; Reeves, Lauretta; Owen, Pamela; Seales, Chad
Questions concerning the level of authenticity of an object are of primary importance in many fields. For historians, archeologists, and museum workers, such questions go hand in hand with the way objects are usually found: broken, discolored, and of unknown origin. Even so, psychological research on authenticity tends to ignore the idea that authenticity is not a ‘perfect’ feature within an object, instead presenting a false dichotomy between completely authentic and completely inauthentic objects. In a series of studies the following questions were addressed: (1) How do children compare and contrast objects with different kinds of authenticity, (2) What qualities must an object have in order for children and adults to consider it to be authentic, and (3) What role might authenticity play in learning as it relates to exposure to authentic versus inauthentic objects? These questions were addressed in three studies that make up this dissertation.
Exploring the relationship between fusion with a cause and essentialist thinking
(2016-05) Fraser, William Thomas, IV; Swann, William B.; Josephs, Robert A; Henderson, Marlone D; Gomez, Angel
Some people become so deeply bonded to various causes that their beliefs define who they are. This deep bond with causes can be understood within a framework of identity fusion. When individuals view a cause as a self-defining aspect of their identity, they feel a sense of underlying similarity—or shared essence—with other cause supporters based on their common beliefs. Because strongly fused individuals feel essentially similar to fellow cause supporters, they may likewise essentialize opponents of the cause by categorizing them into distinct “natural kinds” based on their ideological stance toward the cause. This tendency for essentialist thinking leads strongly fused individuals to discriminate against people who hold opposing beliefs about the cause. To test these ideas, I conducted 6 studies. Two studies showed that fusion with a cause predicted the tendency to essentialize others based on their sentiments toward the cause with which participants were fused (Study 1), but not other causes (Study 2). Three follow-up studies (Studies 3-5) demonstrated that fusion with a cause predicted discrimination against cause opponents, and that this effect was mediated by essentialist beliefs. Study 5 also showed that strongly fused individuals demonstrated intentions to attend events where they could antagonize cause opponents. Study 6 showed that fusion with a cause predicted political voting behaviors, but not as strongly as fusion with political party. Collectively, these studies identified a class of individuals who were prone to discrimination on the basis of ideology and the cognitive underpinnings of this predisposition.
Men, masculinity, and heterosexual exclusivity : a study of the perception and construction of human sexual orientation
(2013-08) Gordon, Aqualus Mondrell; Ainslie, Ricardo C.
In this dissertation I investigate how individuals group others into sexual orientation (SO) categories based on a target's known sexual behaviors and romantic interests. I hypothesize that individuals known to have any non-heterosexual sexual or romantic interests are more likely to be perceived as "gay" (and not "straight") even when there is clear evidence of heterosexual interests and behaviors as well. This phenomenon has been termed "heterosexual exclusivity" in this work. In the process, I examine relevant writings and research on SO, including works related to SO in history, the conceptualization and measurement of SO, determinants of and influences on SO, the essentialism and social constructionism debate with regard to SO, innate bisexuality, and bisexual erasure. Additionally, I give specific focus to how and why men are affected by, as well as perpetuate heterosexual exclusivity. In doing so, I examine writings and research on the role and construction of masculinity as well as homophobia and the overlap of the two. I hypothesize that adherence to traditional masculinity and increased homophobia are predictive of increased heterosexual exclusivity in men. I also hypothesize that men are more likely to be the primary agents and targets of heterosexual [exclusivity]. The results supported most of these hypotheses.