Monday, June 16, 2014

[625] ‘MTSU On the Record’ brings folks together to examine nature of prejudice


MURFREESBORO — An experiment that revealed some fascinating insights into human nature is the focus of the next edition of the “MTSU On the Record” radio program.

Host Gina Logue’s interview with Dr. Mark Frame, associate professor of psychology, will air from 5:30 to 6 p.m. Monday, June 16, and from 8 to 8:30 a.m. Sunday, June 22, on WMOT-FM (89.5 and www.wmot.org).

Frame’s research subjects had to work in teams to solve a problem within an hour after learning through casual conversation that at least one of their colleagues was homosexual.

Some of the participants played the roles of gays and heterosexuals regardless of their real sexual orientations. A control group including role-playing “straights” was also part of the study.

After analyzing the results, Frame and fellow researchers Heather Graham and Jared Kenworthy found that even one hour of interpersonal contact lessened the unease felt by people with negative views of gays and lesbians.

“We actually had an age range that was up to 53 in this particular study,” Frame said, “so we had undergraduates who ran the gamut in terms of age and experience, and most of them were working.”

To listen to previous “MTSU On the Record” programs, go to www.mtsunews.com/ontherecord/.


For more information, contact Gina Logue at 615-898-5081 or WMOT-FM at 615-898-2800.

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