title: Online Evaluative Conditioning Did Not Alter Internalized Homonegativity or Self-Esteem in Gay Men.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Internalized homonegativity is linked to psychological distress in sexual minorities and is thus a potential treatment target in this population. Previous studies have shown that evaluative conditioning (EC) can modify self-esteem, another self-directed attitude. The present study aimed to determine if EC deployed over the Internet could modify self-esteem and internalized homonegativity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gay men recruited online (N = 184) were randomly assigned to a control group or an experimental condition. Participants completed self-reports and measures of implicit attitudes before and after being exposed to control or experimental tasks. The study was administered online.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant between-group differences on implicit or explicit self-esteem (ps > .49) or internalized homonegativity (ps > .28).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite past laboratory success, Internet-based EC did not produce significant effects in implicit or explicit self-directed attitudes. Post hoc analyses did not support any of several potential explanations for these results. Alternative explanations are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
authors.forename: John B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Fleming
authors.affiliation: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Michelle Nicole
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Burns
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001290:Attitude; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological; D063509:Homophobia / Q000523:psychology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012649:Self Concept; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: evaluative conditioning; homosexuality (male); internalized homonegativity; minority stress; self-esteem