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Attitudes toward homosexuality in psychology
Abstract
Attitudes toward homosexuality have been shown to vary along different demographic dimensions such as gender or political (e.g.; Herek, 2002, Strand, 1998) but little is known how these attitudes form.
As with other sexual topics, attitudes towards homosexuality are not inborn, but are socialized.
Multiple agents contribute to this socialization process, including parents, peers and religious institutions (e.g.; Ballard and Morris 1998)
Two of the most consistent findings in attitude research have been that heterosexual attitudes toward lesbians and gay men are negative and society finds this negativity acceptable.
“In the world today, there are many views on a person’s sexual preference (e.g.,
Rouse, 2002). Although prejudice against lesbians and gay men is widespread in
American society (e.g., Herek, 2000, Whitley & Aegisdottir, 2000), Americans’ attitudes toward lesbians and gay men have become less negative over the past 30 years 1, with a gradual increase in the liberalization of American public opinion about homosexuality and a gradual increase in adherence to the belief that homosexuality is an acceptable alternative lifestyle. And although in the past the majority of Americans viewed homosexuality as morally unacceptable (e.g., Yang,
1997).” (Shackelford & Besser / Individual Differences Research, 2007, Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 106-114)
Chapter 1
Introduction
“Within psychology, the study of attitudes towards lesbians and gay men is well-established.
Many studies have investigated and documented the attitudes towards lesbians and gay men of particular groups of individuals, such as psychologists and mental health professionals (e.g.
Annesley & Coyle, 1995; Fort, Steiner, & Conrad, 1971; Garfinkle and Morin, 1978;
DeCrescenzo, 1983-84), social workers (e.g. Berkman & Zinberg, 1997; Wisniewski &
Toomey, 1987), medical trainees and professionals (e.g. Douglas,
Abstract
Attitudes toward homosexuality have been shown to vary along different demographic dimensions such as gender or political (e.g.; Herek, 2002, Strand, 1998) but little is known how these attitudes form.
As with other sexual topics, attitudes towards homosexuality are not inborn, but are socialized.
Multiple agents contribute to this socialization process, including parents, peers and religious institutions (e.g.; Ballard and Morris 1998)
Two of the most consistent findings in attitude research have been that heterosexual attitudes toward lesbians and gay men are negative and society finds this negativity acceptable.
“In the world today, there are many views on a person’s sexual preference (e.g.,
Rouse, 2002). Although prejudice against lesbians and gay men is widespread in
American society (e.g., Herek, 2000, Whitley & Aegisdottir, 2000), Americans’ attitudes toward lesbians and gay men have become less negative over the past 30 years 1, with a gradual increase in the liberalization of American public opinion about homosexuality and a gradual increase in adherence to the belief that homosexuality is an acceptable alternative lifestyle. And although in the past the majority of Americans viewed homosexuality as morally unacceptable (e.g., Yang,
1997).” (Shackelford & Besser / Individual Differences Research, 2007, Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 106-114)
Chapter 1
Introduction
“Within psychology, the study of attitudes towards lesbians and gay men is well-established.
Many studies have investigated and documented the attitudes towards lesbians and gay men of particular groups of individuals, such as psychologists and mental health professionals (e.g.
Annesley & Coyle, 1995; Fort, Steiner, & Conrad, 1971; Garfinkle and Morin, 1978;
DeCrescenzo, 1983-84), social workers (e.g. Berkman & Zinberg, 1997; Wisniewski &
Toomey, 1987), medical trainees and professionals (e.g. Douglas,