The reduction of homophobia as a result of interpersonal contact.

Abstract

Business and psychology students were surveyed to determine if there was a difference in levels of homophobia between the two academic majors and if subjects who have had interpersonal contact with homosexuals showed lower levels of homophobia. A self-report survey including the Hudson and Ricketts' Index of Homophobia Scale, a demographic questionnaire, and an interpersonal contact questionnaire was completed by 30 psychology majors and 39 business majors. Results indicated that business majors were associated with higher levels of homophobia than psychology majors. More intimate interpersonal contact with homosexuals was also associated with lower levels of homophobia. These findings suggest that to be generalized studies need to include subjects from areas other than the social sciences and that contact with homosexuals may lead to a reduction in homophobia.