Do changes in the stereotypic depiction of a lesbian couple affect heterosexuals' attitudes toward lesbianism?

This study tested the hypothesis that heterosexuals with traditional sex role values would be less negative toward lesbians after reading a nonstereotypical description of a lesbian couple as opposed to a stereotypical description. Two experiments were conducted to assess stereotypes of lesbian couples and to test the hypothesis. Consistent with the hypothesis, traditional males showed significantly more positive attitudes toward lesbians as a result of exposure to less stereotypical depictions of couples. For nontraditional males treatments were ineffective, as expected. Counter to the hypothesis, exposure to nonstereotypical depictions of lesbian couples had no significant effect on traditional or nontraditional females' attitudes toward lesbians.