http://hdl.handle.net/2104/4779 2013-05-24T06:29:54Z 2013-05-24T06:29:54Z Whitehead, Andrew L. http://hdl.handle.net/2104/8477 2012-12-20T22:03:06Z 2012-08-08T00:00:00Z

Religion, sexuality, and gender : an individual and organizational analysis. Whitehead, Andrew L. Homosexuality has been the object of much debate, research, and political struggle over the last 40 years. Since the Stonewall riots of 1969 the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender movement (LGBT) continues to grow and occupy a much larger portion of the social consciousness in the United States. Religion is commonly viewed as a “brake” slowing down the liberalization of attitudes. The influence of gender and especially traditional gender attitudes are also significant. While the effect of religion or gender on attitudes toward homosexuality and the inequality gays and lesbians experience is documented, little research investigates the intersection of religion, sexuality, and gender. Drawing on multiple data sets at the individual and organizational levels, the four analyses in this project demonstrate the influence of religion and gender on attitudes toward homosexuality and the full inclusion of gays and lesbians into American life. Specifically, this study considers 1) the relationship between gender ideology and attitudes toward homosexuality, 2) attribution theory and attitudes toward same-sex unions, 3) the determinants of congregational responses to gays and lesbians, and 4) the relationship between gender inequality and the inequality experienced by gays and lesbians within American congregations. The findings for each study are discussed, and implications and suggestions for future research are also considered.

2012-08-08T00:00:00Z Tom, Joshua C. http://hdl.handle.net/2104/8473 2012-12-20T22:02:46Z 2012-08-08T00:00:00Z

Social origins of scientific deviance. Tom, Joshua C. Scientific communities enjoy nearly unchallenged authority on matters related to the natural world; however, there are instances where significant portions of the population hold beliefs contrary to the scientific consensus. These beliefs have generally been studied as the product of scientific illiteracy. This project reframes the issue as one of social deviance from the consensus of scientific communities. Using young-earth creationism and global warming skepticism as case studies, I introduce consensus perception to the study of scientific deviance and explore its utility. Having an improper perception of a scientific consensus on an issue turns out to be one of the most important factors in predicting scientifically deviant beliefs. Still, a significant number of individuals who properly understand the scientific consensus can refuse to accept this consensus on issues which are religiously or political controversial, suggesting that education alone does not determine scientific deviance.

2012-08-08T00:00:00Z Martinez, Matthew James. http://hdl.handle.net/2104/8446 2012-12-20T21:55:09Z 2012-08-08T00:00:00Z

Bad behavior? Understanding the correlation of racial mismatch and teachers' perceptions of student behavior. Martinez, Matthew James. Research shows that teachers’ treatment and perceptions of students will vary based upon the race of the teacher and student. When teachers share the same race as the student, the student will benefit in the way of higher expectations, evaluations, and treatment from teachers. This study examines teachers’ perceptions of students’ behavior at varying levels of racial mismatch. Hierarchical OLS models are used to test for contextual affects in schools with varying percentages of minority composition. This study finds support for racial mismatch theory as white teachers perceive more student behavior problems in schools consisting of 50% or more minority students. The nonsymmetry hypothesis holds in this study as minority teachers do not think any more positively or negatively of student behavior at schools in which they are racially mismatched. The importance of these findings is discussed, reasons for the differences are theorized, and prescriptions for remedying these differences are presented and considered.

2012-08-08T00:00:00Z Martinez, Brandon C. http://hdl.handle.net/2104/8445 2012-12-20T21:55:56Z 2012-08-08T00:00:00Z

Belonging and participation in mixed-race congregations. Martinez, Brandon C. There has been a recent push towards racial diversity in congregations by many religious leaders. However, racially diverse congregations, which have been a popular subject amongst researchers, are both rare and seemingly difficult to sustain (Emerson, 2006). Testing an underlying assumption of organizational ecology theory, this study contributes to the discussion of race in congregations by examining belonging and participation in congregations with more than one racial group. Results of multilevel modeling using data from the 2001 U.S Congregational Life Survey indicate that those who are a part of the numerical racial majority in a congregation experience higher levels of belonging and participate at a deeper level than those who belong to a numerical minority racial group. Moreover, cross-level interactions between numerical majority status and the racial proportion of the congregation reveal that these differences increase as mixed-race congregations become more racially homogenous.

2012-08-08T00:00:00Z