Research Methods in Psychology: A Feminist Exercise to Facilitate Students’ Understanding of Operational Definitions, Observation, and Inter-Rater Reliability

As an illustrative example of how I use a feminist-centered approach to teach core research methods concepts, below, I outline the aims and details of how to replicate one of my students’ favorite activities. This activity ties together concepts of operational definitions, observation, and inter-rater reliability through coding of “creepy” behaviors in a Saturday Night Live short video produced by The Lonely Island, featuring Nicki Minaj and John Waters (2011; see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLPZmPaHme0). In the first part of the exercise, students are instructed to code observations of creepy behaviors without an operational definition. In the second part, students are provided information on gender-based harassment, stalking, and sexist humor and then re-do the exercise. Through this activity, students take an active role in judging behaviors (serving as an independent coder), comparing responses (inter-rater reliability and variability), and developing operational definitions. This exercise provides space for reflection to critically examine assumptions regarding gender, harassment, and sexism—with the goal of facilitating a shift in conceptual framework to cultivate a critical feminist empirical lens

“I Would Feel Uncomfortable if My Child’s Teacher were Gay”: Examining the Role of Symbolic Homophobia and Political Affiliation

Symbolic homophobia is a general negative disposition towards lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals, which is demonstrated in symbolic forms of prejudice rather than overt actions. Stigma towards lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals has transformed from overt forms of prejudice to slightly less blatant more subtle forms in recent years (Schafer & Shaw, 2009). Based on previous research, it is has also been shown that conservatives will have higher levels of symbolic homophobia. (Linneman, 2004), Thus, in order to assess the more nuanced forms of prejudice in relation to political affiliation, Study 1 created a scale to assess symbolic homophobia. In Study 2, experimental design was implemented to assess whether a positive description of a gay couple (compared to a positive description of a straight couple) lowers an individual\u27s symbolic homophobia. The results of Study 1 suggest that the newly created symbolic homophobia scale is valid and those with conservative political ideology are more symbolically homophobic than liberals. Additionally, Study 2 found that being presented with a vignette of a gay couple lowers the participant\u27s symbolic homophobia score

Engagement in and Benefits of Consensually Non-monogamous Relationships

Many people in consensually non-monogamous relationships face fears related to social ostracism, discrimination, and legal ramifications for their unconventional relationships. Although stigma looms large for consensual departures from non-monogamy, what are some of the relationship and personal benefits that people in these relationships experience? What if, instead of focusing only on the stigma surrounding these relationships, we considered strengths of these relationships and the ways in which consensually non-monogamous relationships thrive

Bridging the Research-Practice Gap: Development of a Theoretically Grounded Workshop for Graduate Students Aimed at Challenging Microaggressions in Science and Engineering

Efforts to promote diversity and inclusion often lack a theoretical basis, which can unintentionally exacerbate issues. In this paper, we describe the development and evaluation results of a theoretically grounded workshop aimed at reducing microaggressions and promoting ally engagement among graduate students in science and engineering. In Study 1, using a Delphi method, eight science and engineering faculty members with backgrounds in diversity efforts provided feedback on workshop development. In Study 2, 107 graduate and advanced undergraduate students engaged in the 90-minute interactive workshop. Results indicate that attendees found the workshop valuable, developed new skills for ally engagement, and planned to engage as an ally moving forward (all averages of closed-ended assessments were 4.21 out of 5.00 or higher). Themes that were identified from qualitative responses mapped onto learning objectives, including raised awareness about microaggressions, sufficient practice, and confidence to improve one’s academic climate. Although microaggressions are common in science and engineering spaces, the present findings illustrated that, for many attendees, the information was new, including research on microaggressions and evidence-based ally strategies. This study offers a theoretically grounded intervention that facilitates intentional behavioral changes, which can help students change norms to support the advancement of women and people of color

Sexuality Through the Lens of Secure Base Attachment Dynamics: Individual Differences in Sexploration

A key aspect of attachment functioning is the secure base, which empowers people to explore their environments, though some individuals do this more effectively than others. While most researchers have focused on adult attachment dynamics in terms of stress and threat (safe haven), we argue that concerted attention should also focus on relational processes in times of optimal functioning. In this paper, we introduce a new theoretical concept: secure base sexual exploration (or sexploration). We define this as the degree to which individuals are able to effectively explore multifaceted dimensions of sexuality (e.g., behaviors, identity) as a function of secure attachment dynamics. Put another way, we posit that interpersonal attachment security, which is a function of individual and dyadic factors, may meaningfully predict the degree to which individuals are comfortable with sexual exploration. In the first section of our paper, we outline core tenets of attachment theory, followed by an explanation of the secure base construct. We then explain how the secure base construct can be useful in conceptualizing individual differences in sexploration, followed by domain-specific sexual outcomes (e.g., behavior, identity) that may stem from sexploration. Embedded in this discussion is a new approach for researchers to examine these links

Multiple Loves: The Effects of Attachment with Multiple Concurrent Romantic Partners on Relational Functioning

In the present study, we sought to understand whether people in polyamorous relationships have similar attachment orientations with each of their partners. Further, we examined the extent to which the attachment relationship with a given partner affects relationship quality both within that relationship and across concurrent romantic relationships. We recruited a community sample of 357 people engaged in polyamory with at least two concurrent romantic partners. People engaged in polyamory exhibited secure attachment with both of their partners (low in avoidance and anxiety); specifically, these scores were lower than established norms. In terms of within-relationship effects, avoidance and anxiety with a specific partner were linked with lower levels of relationship functioning (relationship satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, satisfaction with emotional and sexual agreements, and commitment) for that specific relationship. However, there was no association between avoidance and anxiety with one specific partner and the relationship functioning in a different, concurrent romantic relationship (i.e., cross-relationship effects). These findings suggest that individuals engaged in polyamory treat these relationships as distinct and independent from one another—forming attachments with each partner based on the specifics of that relationship. Understanding attachment processes in polyamorous relationships provides new directions for exploring the diversities of intimate partnering and theory expansion

Speak Up! Challenging Microaggressions by Intervening As an Ally

Background The primary diversity strategy of many institutions focuses on college admissions to increase the representation of women and people of color (Bowen & Bok, 1998). Yet, changing the campus climate—belonging, inclusion, and anti-discrimination—is a critical strategy to increase diversity and should receive greater attention (Stewart & Lavaque-Manty, 2008). In order to bring these issues to light, we are developing and implementing a workshop that teaches first-year students evidence-based strategies to combat microaggressions. Our program is adapted from a previous successful workshop, Speak Up in STEMM!: Challenging Microaggressions to Foster a More Inclusive Workplace (Moors & Mayott, under review). Our project, Speak Up! Challenging Microaggressions By Intervening As an Ally, remedies the inclusion training gap by using the prejudice habit model and ally development theoretical frameworks (Ada Initiative, 2015; Casey & Ohler, 2012). Methods Our first step is actively recruiting first-year students, who then chose to participate in a workshop and a three-part survey process. Participants report their attitudes towards campus climate and personal experiences prior to attending the workshop. They are randomly assigned to attend the workshop in the Fall or the Spring. Those assigned to the Fall condition participate in a 90-minute workshop with a complimentary pizza dinner and prizes. Although online survey data is collected, our focus is on feedback gained from the workshop independent of the survey responses. Results The results of our post-workshop survey demonstrated that participants believed the workshop to be a positive experience. Of the 12 participants, all rated the workshop as living up to their expectations, stimulating their learning, providing sufficient practice, and as an experience they would recommend to a friend. Many of the participants enjoyed the roleplaying scenarios, learning about microaggressions and the evidence-based strategies. For future workshops, participants suggested allowing the audience to share their personal experiences with microaggressions and refining our role playing scenarios. Conclusions In fall of 2020, we plan to continue running workshops and recruiting participants through the subject pool system in the Department of Psychology. We believe that by expanding our recruitment to the subject pool, we will receive more first-year students and generate more traction as it relates to challenging microaggressions

Harmful and Helpful Therapy Practices with Consensually Non-Monogamous Clients: Toward an Inclusive Framework

Drawing on minority stress perspectives, we investigated the therapy experiences of individuals in consensually nonmonogamous (CNM) relationships. Method: We recruited a community sample of 249 individuals engaged in CNM relationships across the U.S. and Canada. Confirmatory factor analysis structural equation modeling was used to analyze client perceptions of therapist practices in a number of exemplary practices (affirming of CNM) or inappropriate practices (biased, inadequate, or not affirming of CNM), and their associations with evaluations of therapy. Open-end responses about what clients found very helpful and very unhelpful were also analyzed. Results: Exemplary and inappropriate practices constituted separate but related patterns of therapist conduct. As expected, perceptions of exemplary and inappropriate practices predicted therapist helpfulness ratings and whether participants prematurely terminated their therapeutic relationships. Qualitative results point toward the importance of having/pursuing knowledge about CNM and using affirming, nonjudgmental practices. Conclusions: Therapists are positioned to either combat or perpetuate the minority stress faced by individuals engaged in CNM. The results of this study highlight the need for additional research, training, and guidelines regarding CNM clients and their therapy experiences

Surface and Complex Representation of Diverse Intimate Relationships: Insights from a Content Analysis of Marriage and Family Therapy Resources

Searching online for health information plays a vital role in the decision-making process to seek mental healthcare for relationship and sexual issues, especially among people with marginalized identities. The landscape of intimate arrangements in the U.S. is rapidly changing, yet it is unclear whether diverse intimate relationships are discussed in popular relationship-focused mental health resources. In the present research, we sought to understand how six diverse intimate relationships were represented in a set of online mental health resources focused on relationship and sexuality issues. We conducted a content analysis of 23 mental health articles; articles were coded for surface-level (1) and complex (2 through 5) representation: (1) the frequency at which six diverse relationship types were mentioned, (2) awareness of stigma (prejudicial experiences based on relationship type), (3) unique situations (experiences that are specific to a relationship type), (4) clinical recommendations (suggestions made for a specific relationship type) and (5) inclusive language. Overall, the frequency at which relationships were mentioned (surface-level representation) greatly varied: monogamous relationships (82.61%), singles (39.13%), blended families/stepfamilies (26.09%), same-sex/queer relationships (21.74%), multi-racial/cultural relationships (21.74%), and consensually non-monogamous relationships (0%). Complex representations, including stigma, unique situations, and recommendations for each diverse relationship type were infrequently mentioned (\u3c 14% and, in many cases, never mentioned). These results illustrate that relationships other than monogamy were infrequently mentioned and, if mentioned, content related to diverse relationships lacked relevant and inclusive details, including clinical recommendations