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.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 119-134 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | Journal of Homosexuality |
| Volume | 42 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Sep 23 2002 |
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Keywords
- Contact
- Gender
- Gender roles
- Homophobia
- Personality correlates
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychology(all)
- Social Sciences(all)
Cite this
The personality variable openness to experience as it relates to homophobia. / Cullen, Jenifer M.; Wright, Lester W.; Alessandri, Michael.
In: Journal of Homosexuality, Vol. 42, No. 4, 23.09.2002, p. 119-134.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The personality variable openness to experience as it relates to homophobia
AU - Cullen, Jenifer M.
AU - Wright, Lester W.
AU - Alessandri, Michael
PY - 2002/9/23
Y1 - 2002/9/23
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - Contact
KW - Gender
KW - Gender roles
KW - Homophobia
KW - Personality correlates
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0036037514&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0036037514&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1300/J082v42n04_08
DO - 10.1300/J082v42n04_08
M3 - Article
C2 - 12243480
AN - SCOPUS:0036037514
VL - 42
SP - 119
EP - 134
JO - Journal of Homosexuality
JF - Journal of Homosexuality
SN - 0091-8369
IS - 4
ER -