The role of sexual orientation, gender, and cognitive flexibility in social ambiguity interpretation

This study examines how gender, sexual orientation, and cognitive flexibility influence interpretations of ambiguous social interactions, particularly biases affecting LGBTQ+ individuals. Participants (N = 80) read a socially ambiguous story where a new student observed two peers, with gender and sexual orientation systematically varied. Same-gender LGBTQ+ interactions were interpreted more negatively than heterosexual ones, reflecting both potential bias and awareness of social marginalization. Homonegativity predicted negative interpretations in the gay condition but not the lesbian condition. Cognitive flexibility correlated with recognizing uncertainty in the lesbian condition. Findings highlight the role of heteronormativity in shaping perceptions and underscore the need for inclusive education to reduce bias.