Social Judgement Theory

Observation #9
February 24, 2015
Social Judgement Theory

Growing up Catholic, I hear a lot of arguments against same sex marriage.  People around me say that homosexuals go to hell and that the Bible condemns same sex relationships, yet I believe that same sex couples deserve the same respect and dignity that heterosexual couples deserve.  A few months ago, I heard it said that same sex attraction was a biological malfunction and that it should not be acted upon, but it is not in itself a sin.  This notion that people who suffer from same sex attraction should be degraded because of a biological difference still baffles me and pushes me more into agreeing with idea that same sex couples should be allowed marriage rights.

I think that the first thing that I have to do when talking about same sex marriage is to realize that I have a very small latitude of acceptance and non commitment, yet two large latitudes of rejection of both sides.  My acceptance in equal marriage rights stems from the economic and societal benefits of being classified as married.  In today's society, partners in a civil union cannot see each other in the hospital or receive tax benefits as can married couples.  Because of the research and benefits and I have learned about marriage, I am able to see marriage beyond the scope of a close-minded Catholic who only sees marriage as a sacred bond.  In fact, I also see eye-to-eye with the Catholic church; therefore, my anchor lies on the idea that marriage equality is fine, but same sex couples should not be married in a church.

When I first hear an opinion, I judge its distance from this stance and then decide how I will react to it.  This reaction is ultimately gauged by a shift in my anchor towards or away from the idea.  More often than not, people will state ideas that are in my latitude of rejection and therefore cause me to shift my anchor further away from whatever point they are trying to prove.  This boomerang effect happens because the suggestion is not on the cusp of non commitment, yet still in my acceptance range, but instead falls within my rejection region.