The Relationships Among Sexual Beliefs, Attitudes, Experience, and Homophobia

The findings indicated the presence of two systems, one dealing with affective orientation and the other with general beliefs about the origins of homosexuality, which existed in subjects who responded with negative affect and believed that homosexuality was a learned problem.

Abstract

Male and female subjects were given a series of questionnaires to assess their attitudes, behaviors, and experiences in relation to homosexuality. The findings indicated the presence of two systems, one dealing with affective orientation and the other with general beliefs (learned problem or physiological problem) about the origins of homosexuality. It was found that the greatest dislike toward homosexuals existed in those subjects who responded with negative affect and believed that homosexuality was a learned problem. Avoidance of social situations where homosexuals are present was evidenced in subjects who responded with negative affect and believed homosexuality was due to genetic factors.