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Perceived Consequences of Hypothetical Identity-Inconsistent Sexual Experiences: Effects of Perceiver’s Sex and Sexual Identity

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Abstract

Most people organize their sexual orientation under a single sexual identity label. However, people may have sexual experiences that are inconsistent with their categorical sexual identity label. A man might identify as heterosexual but still experience some attraction to men; a woman might identify as lesbian yet enter into a romantic relationship with a man. Identity-inconsistent experiences are likely to have consequences. In the present study, we examined lay perceptions of the consequences of identity-inconsistent sexual experiences for self-perceived sexuality and for social relationships among a sexually diverse sample (N = 283). We found that the perceived consequences of identity-inconsistent experiences for self-perception, for social stigmatization, and for social relationships varied as a function of participant sex, participant sexual identity (heterosexual, gay, lesbian), and experience type (fantasy, attraction, behavior, love). We conclude that not all identity-inconsistent sexual experiences are perceived as equally consequential and that the perceived consequences of such experiences vary predictably as a function of perceiver sex and sexual identity. We discuss the role lay perceptions of the consequences of identity-inconsistent sexual experiences may play in guiding attitudes and behavior.

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Acknowledgments

Preparation of this article was supported by a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, awarded to Mariana A. Preciado, and by grants from the National Science Foundation (BCS 1052896) and UCLA’s Center for the Study of Women, both awarded to Kerri L. Johnson.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-3815, USA

    Mariana A. Preciado & Kerri L. Johnson

  2. Communication Studies, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Kerri L. Johnson

Authors
  1. Mariana A. Preciado
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  2. Kerri L. Johnson
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Correspondence to Mariana A. Preciado.

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Preciado, M.A., Johnson, K.L. Perceived Consequences of Hypothetical Identity-Inconsistent Sexual Experiences: Effects of Perceiver’s Sex and Sexual Identity. Arch Sex Behav 43, 505–518 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-013-0113-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-013-0113-1

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