1. Project Steps – Group 12
Identification and use of a specific, complex phenomenon:
The question of same-sex marriage has become a hot topic in American Society in
recent years. We have also seen a rise in states banning gay marriage, Florida being one of
them. The research question is to gain a better understanding of why so much of the state
population disagrees with same-sex marriage.
Open-ended, original, and localized research question:
What laws and political views continue to ban same-sex marriage in Florida?
Relevant disciplines:
Law – The laws in several different states all over the country that have begun to ban
gay marriage, as well as what law processes were used to pass such laws.
Psychology – The understanding of why groups of people or individuals support or
oppose same-sex marriage.
Education – How education can inform the public about same-sex marriage and what it
means for the general public.
Development of insights gained from each discipline:
Law – In recent years, gay marriage has been banned in several states. Simultaneously,
taking away the rights of a whole minority group of people who may never be able to have equal
rights as guaranteed to all people.
Psychology – Psychology plays an important role in banning gay marriage. Many times
feeding on the strong emotional feelings of large groups can swing election results.
Education – By providing education to the general public about how same-sex marriage
may or may not affect their daily life may change people’s views on same-sex marriage.
Conflicts and their causes between disciplines clearly identified:
New laws passed in several states have banned gay marriage, however the law also
guarantees equal rights to all citizens. Gay marriage is a very heated topic of discussion and is
often a very polarizing subject in an election. Unfortunately, the term gay marriage has a very
negative stigma attached to it and often the defense used to ban gay marriage is that by
allowing same-sex couples to wed we will be taking away from the validity of heterosexual
marriage. Even though, by law, allowing same-sex marriage would not take away rights but
instead give equal rights to more people.
Establishment of a common ground for the disciplines involved based on a concept,
assumption, or theory related to each discipline:
The common ground is that by allowing same-sex marriage in the state of Florida we will
be taking a step forward by giving equal rights to all marriages. By providing an explanation for
why some people are so scared and against same-sex marriage perhaps we can show them
how same-sex marriage is not hurting anybody, but instead is helping to make our country and
state a better place to live.