Free to Choose, Free to Dislike

Across three studies, parts of a mediational model to explain the relationship between belief in free will and attitudes toward certain outgroups were tested. Study 1 tested and found support for the correlational hypothesis that belief in free will would be negatively related to attitudes toward people who identify as homosexual. Study 2 tested and found support for the correlational hypothesis that perception of outgroup membership as a choice would negatively predict attitudes toward those outgroups. Study 3 tested but did not find support for a mediational model. Specifically, it was predicted that the relationship between belief in free will and attitudes toward outgroups would be mediated by the perception that group membership was a choice. This model was predicted for outgroups in which it there was some cultural discourse as to whether membership was chosen. Specifically, this mediational model was predicted for homosexuality, obesity, and poverty, but not for Asians or a fictitious group, the Zeb. The manipulation in Study 3 failed to pass a manipulation check limiting the interpretation of the results. Studies 1 and 2, however provide preliminary support for a relationship between the variables of interest (free will belief, perception of group membership as a choice, and attitudes toward outgroups), but no causal claims can be made.