Attitudes toward "gays in the military": A functional perspective

The functions associated with attitudes toward gays in the military were investigated. In Study 1, secondary analyses of data compiled by the Gallup Organization indicated that ego-defensive and value-expressive functions are associated with attitudes toward lifting the ban on homosexuals in the military. In Study 2, results from a questionnaire specifically designed to assess reasons to lift or keep the ban replicated the findings of Study 1. In addition, Study 2 indicated that the functions both uniquely contribute to the prediction of attitudinal stance. Results from both studies indicated that approval of lifting the ban was associated with the endorsement of value-expressive reasons to lift the ban and the rejection of ego-defensive and value-expressive reasons to keep the ban; by contrast, disapproval of lifting the ban was associated with the endorsement of ego-defensive and value-expressive reasons to keep the ban and the rejection of value-expressive reasons to lift the ban. Results are discussed in terms of the implications for the functional approach to attitudes and persuasion.