This investigation focused on the influence of exposure to and interaction with gay persons on heterosexual self-reported attitudes of comfort with homosexuality. A group-administered questionnaire, including a 25-item scale by Hudson and Ricketts to measure the perceived degree of dread or discomfort of contact with homosexuals, was used in human sexuality classes at a southeastern metropolitan university during 1983. Findings taking into account the total scale scores, as well as the 25 individual item scores. suggested that exposure to and interaction with homosexuals results in a self-reported attitude of reduction in discomfort with homosexuals.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BELL, A., & WEINBERG, M.Homosexualities. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1978.
2.
DAVIS, J. A.General Social Surveys, 1972-1980: Cumulative data. Chicago: NORC, 1980.
3.
ELMAN, D. T., et al. How sexual orientation and physical attractiveness affect impressions of males. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 1978, 4, 352-362.
4.
GARNER, B., & SMITH, R.Are there really any gay male atheletes? An empirical survey. The Journal of Sex Research, 1977, 13, 22-34.
5.
GURWITZ, S., & MARCUS, M.Effects of anticipated interaction, sex and homosexual stereotypes on first impressions. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 1978, 8, 47-56.
6.
HUDSON, W., & RICKETTS, W.A strategy for the measurement of homophobia. Journal of Homosexuality, 1980, 5, 357-372.
7.
IRWIN, P., & THOMPSON, M.Acceptance of the rights of homosexuals: A social profile. Journal of Homosexuality, 1977, 3, 107-121.
8.
JANDA, L. H., & KLENKE-HAMEL, K. E.Human sexuality. New York: D. Van Nostrand Co., 1980.
9.
KINSEY, POMEROY, W., & MARTIN, C.Sexual behavior in the human male. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Co., 1948.
10.
KRULEWITZ, J., & NASH, J.Effects of sexual attitudes and similarity on men's reaction to homosexuals. Journal of Personality and Social psychology, 1980, 38, 67-74.
11.
McDONALD, A., & GAMES, R.Some characteristics of those who hold positive and negative attitudes toward homosexuals. Journal of Sexuality, 1974, 1, 9-27.
12.
MAHONEY, E.Human sexuality. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1983.
13.
MASTERS, W., & JOHNSON, V.Homosexuality in perspective. Boston: Little, Brown, 1979.
14.
MORIN, S., & GARFINKLE, F.Male homophobia. Journal of Social issues, 1978, 34, 29-47.
15.
MOSHER, D., & O'GRADY, K.Homosexual threat, negative attitudes toward masturbation, sex guilt, and males' sexual and affective reactions to explicit sexual films. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1978, 47, 866-873.
16.
POMEROY, W. B.Normal vs. abnormal sex. Sexology, 1966, 32, 436-439.
17.
RATHUS, S. A.Human sexuality. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1983.
18.
STORMS, M.A theory of erotic orientation development. Psychological Record, 1980, 88, 340-353.
19.
WINBERGER, L. L., & MILLHAM, J.Attitudinal homopholia and support of traditional sex roles. Journal of homosexuality, 1979, 4, 237-246.
