The Personality Variable Openness to Experience as It Relates to Homophobia

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.

Teachers' Attitudes and Beliefs about Homosexuality

“…The view of homosexuality as something undesirable, immoral and sinful may well be more frequent in people with religious beliefs (Toro-Alfonso & Varas-Díaz, 2007). Our results also support previous research that has shown greater homophobia to be associated with a lack of contact with gay men and lesbian women (e.g., Berkman & Zinberg, 1997;Cullen et al, 2002;Sakalli, 2002;Shidlo, 1994). Proximity to, and interaction with, gay men and lesbian women might enable individuals to compare the stereotyped views of homosexuality, thus lowering this prejudice.…”

“…Proulx, 1997), the majority show men to be more homophobic than women (Donnelly et al, 1997;Johnson et al, 1997;Jones et al, 2002;Lieblich & Friedman, 1985;Lingiardi et al, 2005;Maney & Cain, 1997;Sakalli, 2002;Steffens, 2005). There is also consensus among various studies that having contact with homosexual people is predictive of fewer homophobic attitudes or, to put it another way, a lack of contact with lesbian women and gay men is correlated with negative attitudes (Berkman & Zinberg, 1997;Cullen et al, 2002;Sakalli, 2002;Shidlo, 1994;Span & Vidal, 2003;Toro-Alfonso & Varas-Díaz, 2004;Waterman et al, 2001). As Farr (2000) points out, it would seem that the most powerful stimulus of homophobia is the belief that "I don't know any homosexuals".…”

Who has the worst attitudes toward sexual minorities? Comparison of transphobia and homophobia levels in gender dysphoric individuals, the general population and health care providers

“…Consistent with previous research, men scored significantly higher than women on both homophobia [66,67] and transphobia levels [68]. One interpretation of these findings could be that more negative attitudes toward lesbian women, gay men, and transgender persons are not directly related to homosexuality and transgenderism per se, but to a more general adherence in men to traditional gender roles [12,13].…”

An investigation of university students’ homophobia levels regarding gender and gender roles<p>Üniversitesi öğrencilerinin homofobi düzeylerinin cinsiyet ve cinsiyet rolleri açısından incelenmesi

“…This evidence is coincided other information which has been obtained from the literature (Kite & Whitley, 1996;1998;Sakallı & Uğurlu, 2001;Cullen, Wright & Alessandri, 2002;Güney & et al, 2004;Çırakoğlu, 2006;Gormley & Lopez, 2010;Costa & Davies, 2012).…”