The influence of sexual prejudice and gender on trait and state-level empathy

A few studies indicate that trait sexual prejudice is negatively related to trait empathy as measured by the Interpersonal Reactivity Index. Whether this association persists at the state level and is modulated by gender remains unknown. Participants read vignettes describing gay/lesbian or straight male and female characters in emotional scenarios and rated their state empathy for each character. Women reported more empathy than men and gay/lesbian targets elicited less empathy than straight targets. In addition, state empathy positively correlated with trait empathy and both negatively correlated with trait sexual prejudice. Results demonstrate that the negative association between empathy and sexual prejudice persists at the state level. We discuss our findings through the lens of social identity theory and gender roles.