Associations between personality traits and prejudicial attitudes towards transgender individuals in the South African context

Abstract

Research in the field of personality and prejudice, particularly heterosexual individuals prejudicial attitudes towards transgender people, remains limited within the South African context. The present study investigated the association between heterosexual people’s personality traits and their prejudice towards transgender people, particularly, which personality traits (i.e., right-wing authoritarianism and social dominance orientation) and gender contribute to heterosexual people’s prejudice towards transgender individuals. In order to explicate the above mentioned, a quantitative approach was considered appropriate. Survey’s were created and distributed using a web-based survey tool called Qualtrics, and were distributed online through Qualtrics to social media spaces such as Facebook. The study found a significant association between personality traits and prejudicial attitudes of heterosexual people towards transgender individuals in South Africa. Findings indicate that males hold more prejudicial attitudes than females. Furthermore the study found a positive correlation between prejudicial attitudes as measured by the Genderism and Transphobia scale as well as personality traits, i.e. Social Dominance Orientation and Right-wing Authoritarianism. Findings help to advance understanding of some of the underlying origins of prejudice toward transgender individuals.