People with branched attractions may experience sexual and romantic attractions to different genders; for example, they may be sexually attracted to one gender and romantically attracted to another gender. Because branched attractions may violate folk theories about sexuality, we expected individuals with these attractions to face unique stereotypes. Across three preregistered experiments (total N = 1041), and using predominantly White, non-Latiné, and straight samples, we asked if White (Studies 1 and 2) and East Asian (Study 3) targets with branched attractions are seen as: (1) confused, dishonest, and non-monogamous (bi stereotypes), (2) uncertain about and in denial of their sexuality (instability stereotypes), and (3) desired as sexual objects (fetishized), compared to targets with aligned (same-gender, other-gender, bisexual) attractions. We also assessed warmth toward targets, and explored perceivers’ need for cognition as a moderator. As expected, White and East Asian women and men with branched attractions faced heightened bi and instability stereotypes, whereas findings with warmth, fetishization, and need for cognition were mixed. Discussion considers the implications of these findings for sexually and racially minoritized individuals.

具有分支吸引力的人可能会体验到对不同性别的性和浪漫吸引力;例如，他们可能对一种性别有性吸引力，而对另一种性别有浪漫的吸引力。因为分支景点可能违反关于性的民间理论，所以我们预计拥有这些吸引力的人会面临独特的刻板印象。在三个预先注册的实验（总 N = 1041）中，主要使用白人、非拉丁裔和异性恋样本，我们询问了具有分支吸引力的白人（研究 1 和 2）和东亚（研究 3）目标是否被视为：（1） 困惑、不诚实和非一夫一妻制（双性恋刻板印象），（2） 不确定并否认他们的性取向（不稳定刻板印象），以及 （3） 作为性对象被渴望（恋物癖）， 与具有一致 （同性、异性、双性恋） 吸引力的目标相比。我们还评估了对目标的热情，并探讨了感知者作为调节剂对认知的需求。正如预期的那样，具有分支吸引力的白人和东亚女性和男性面临着更高的双性恋和不稳定刻板印象，而温暖、恋物癖和认知需求的发现则喜忧参半。讨论考虑了这些发现对性和种族少数化个体的影响。