Changing Heterosexuals’ Attitudes Toward Homosexuals: A Systematic Review of the Empirical Literature

Abstract

Objective: This article systematically reviews evidence for interventions that change attitudes toward homosexuals. Method: In all, 17 empirical studies using college and/or university student samples and interventions intended to improve heterosexuals’ attitudes toward lesbian, gay, or bisexual individuals are reviewed. Characteristics of the studies with regard to participants, interventions, methodologies, attitude measures, and outcomes are reported. The studies are also rated for their level of empirical support. Finally, challenges of the research and applications to social work practice are discussed. Results: No intervention met the criteria of a well established or probably efficacious treatment, as all studies had substantial methodological limitations. Conclusion: These interventions require further testing with well designed, methodologically sound experiments to determine efficacy. Researchers who pursue this controversial topic, however, may experience considerable opposition in obtaining funding and/or forums for dissemination of their findings.