Polyculturalism, cognitive flexibility, and sexual prejudice in Macau
摘要
In two studies (total N = 710), we investigate the relationship between polyculturalism, cognitive flexibility, and sexual prejudice in Macau Chinese. Polyculturalism, the lay belief that cultures are connected and mutually influencing each other, has been previously shown to be associated with lower sexual prejudice. There is also some evidence that cognitive flexibility, or the tendencies to consider alternative options and perspectives and to be comfortable with complex situations, is also associated with both polyculturalism and sexual prejudice. We replicate the negative relationship between polyculturalism and sexual prejudice in Study 1 using a measure of sexual prejudice against gays and lesbians. In Study 2, we replicate this finding and show two pathways (direct and indirect) linking cognitive flexibility and sexual prejudice; the indirect pathway mediated by polyculturalism. The results align with individual difference theories of prejudice that assume individual dispositions to cognitively categorize and process information about other groups related to prejudiced attitudes towards different groups. The findings contribute to providing further evidence regarding individual factors that relate to lower sexual prejudice in a new non-western sample.