Boundaries, exclusion, and oppression in "the psychological basis of homophobia: cultural construction of a barrier".
This essay takes up Madureira's exploration (Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science, 2007, doi:10.1007/s12124-007-9024-9) of the relationship between homophobia and sexism, and more broadly, also examines other domains of prejudice, exclusion, and oppression. I identify important questions raised by Madureira, and suggest some additional concepts and frameworks that yield further insights into these issues. I focus primarily upon gender and sexuality theories, but also examine some additional studies of other constructions of difference and variants of prejudice, scapegoating, and boundarism: namely, racism, religious bigotry, and "witch-cleansing," I show how, despite their apparently disparate ideologies, these latter exclusionary practices are on some levels similar to homophobia and sexism, though these phenomena are neither identical nor exactly analogous. I also explore the uses and limitations of psychological, social and cultural analyses of these diverse forms of oppression, with particular emphasis upon homophobia and sexism.
Rasmussen
Susan J
SJ
Department of Anthropology, University of Houston, McElhinney Hall, Houston, TX 77204-5020, USA. srasmussen@uh.edu
D000884:Anthropology, Cultural; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005783:Gender Identity; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D011287:Prejudice; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012649:Self Concept; D012925:Social Conformity; D012927:Social Control, Informal