The personality variable openness to experience as it relates to homophobia.

Full Abstract

The present study investigated personality and demographic variables of homophobic and non-homophobic individuals. Variables explored included the personality characteristics Neuroticism, Extroversion, and Openness to Experience. The following demographic variables were also explored:
gender role beliefs, gender, and personal contact. Participants included 123 students from a large Western university, enrolled in introductory courses in psychology or sociology. Participants completed a questionnaire packet containing a demographic inquiry and three psychological measures-the NEO Personality Inventory, the Assessment of Attitudes Towards Lesbians and Gay Men, and the Bem Sex Role Inventory. Results revealed the variable contact as the most critical predictor of homophobia, followed by gender, and the personality variable Openness to Experience. Furthermore, those who had not had previous contact with a homosexual individual and men were significantly more homophobic. No significant differences were found among gender roles in relation to self-reported indices of homophobia. The results provide attitudinal and behavioral differences that differentiate individuals who are intolerant of homosexuality from those that are more accepting of alternative lifestyles.

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Author information

Author/s: Cullen, Jenifer M (JM); Wright, Lester W (LW); Alessandri, Michael (M);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo 49008, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Journal of homosexuality (J Homosex), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-; vol 42 (issue 4) : pp 119-34

Dates: Created 2002/09/23; Completed 2002/12/10; Revised 2004/11/17;

PMID: 12243480, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Attitude
Female
Homosexuality
Humans

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