When thinking about these associations, it is important to remember two considerations. First, these associations describe general patterns in the population. Not all individuals fit those patterns.

Second, these are correlations, not statements of causal relationships. When two variables are correlated, it is possible that one causes the other (although which variable is the cause and which is the consequence cannot be known simply from a correlation). It is also possible that both variables are caused by a third variable.

For example, as shown below, the belief that homosexuality is freely chosen is correlated with higher levels of sexual prejudice. This relationship may mean that believing homosexuality to be a choice leads a person to hold negative attitudes toward gay men and lesbians. Or it may mean that people who hold negative attitudes are more receptive to beliefs that seem to attach blame to gay men and lesbians.

Or a third factor may be involved. For example, heterosexuals who have close gay or lesbian friends are more likely than others to hold favorable attitudes toward gay people in general and to believe that sexual orientation isn't a matter of personal choice. So it is possible that the correlation between sexual prejudice and beliefs about choice actually reflects the relationship of both variables to a third variable, namely, personal contact with openly gay men and lesbians.

With these considerations in mind, what characteristics tend to be associated with sexual prejudice?
 

• men
• older
• less well-educated
• residing in geographic areas where negative attitudes represent the norm (for example, rural areas or the Midwestern or Southern United States).

• more likely to attend religious services frequently
• more likely to endorse orthodox religious beliefs, such as the literal truth of the Bible
• more likely to be a Republican than a Democrat or Independent
• more likely to describe themselves as politically conservative, rather than liberal or moderate.

• display higher levels of psychological authoritarianism
• are less sexually permissive
• are more supportive of traditional gender roles.

• are more likely to believe that a homosexual orientation is freely chosen
• are less likely to have had close personal friends or family members who are openly lesbian or gay.

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When thinking about these associations, it is important to remember two considerations. First, these associations describe general patterns in the population. Not all individuals fit those patterns.

Second, these are correlations, not statements of causal relationships. When two variables are correlated, it is possible that one causes the other (although which variable is the cause and which is the consequence cannot be known simply from a correlation). It is also possible that both variables are caused by a third variable.

For example, as shown below, the belief that homosexuality is freely chosen is correlated with higher levels of sexual prejudice. This relationship may mean that believing homosexuality to be a choice leads a person to hold negative attitudes toward gay men and lesbians. Or it may mean that people who hold negative attitudes are more receptive to beliefs that seem to attach blame to gay men and lesbians.

Or a third factor may be involved. For example, heterosexuals who have close gay or lesbian friends are more likely than others to hold favorable attitudes toward gay people in general and to believe that sexual orientation isn't a matter of personal choice. So it is possible that the correlation between sexual prejudice and beliefs about choice actually reflects the relationship of both variables to a third variable, namely, personal contact with openly gay men and lesbians.

With these considerations in mind, what characteristics tend to be associated with sexual prejudice?
 

• men
• older
• less well-educated
• residing in geographic areas where negative attitudes represent the norm (for example, rural areas or the Midwestern or Southern United States).

• more likely to attend religious services frequently
• more likely to endorse orthodox religious beliefs, such as the literal truth of the Bible
• more likely to be a Republican than a Democrat or Independent
• more likely to describe themselves as politically conservative, rather than liberal or moderate.

• display higher levels of psychological authoritarianism
• are less sexually permissive
• are more supportive of traditional gender roles.

• are more likely to believe that a homosexual orientation is freely chosen
• are less likely to have had close personal friends or family members who are openly lesbian or gay.

Blog   |   Contents   |   Publications   |   Library   |   Site Search   |   Contact Us   |   Useful Links   |   Social Psych Net

When thinking about these associations, it is important to remember two considerations. First, these associations describe general patterns in the population. Not all individuals fit those patterns.

Second, these are correlations, not statements of causal relationships. When two variables are correlated, it is possible that one causes the other (although which variable is the cause and which is the consequence cannot be known simply from a correlation). It is also possible that both variables are caused by a third variable.

For example, as shown below, the belief that homosexuality is freely chosen is correlated with higher levels of sexual prejudice. This relationship may mean that believing homosexuality to be a choice leads a person to hold negative attitudes toward gay men and lesbians. Or it may mean that people who hold negative attitudes are more receptive to beliefs that seem to attach blame to gay men and lesbians.

Or a third factor may be involved. For example, heterosexuals who have close gay or lesbian friends are more likely than others to hold favorable attitudes toward gay people in general and to believe that sexual orientation isn't a matter of personal choice. So it is possible that the correlation between sexual prejudice and beliefs about choice actually reflects the relationship of both variables to a third variable, namely, personal contact with openly gay men and lesbians.

With these considerations in mind, what characteristics tend to be associated with sexual prejudice?
 

• men
• older
• less well-educated
• residing in geographic areas where negative attitudes represent the norm (for example, rural areas or the Midwestern or Southern United States).

• more likely to attend religious services frequently
• more likely to endorse orthodox religious beliefs, such as the literal truth of the Bible
• more likely to be a Republican than a Democrat or Independent
• more likely to describe themselves as politically conservative, rather than liberal or moderate.

• display higher levels of psychological authoritarianism
• are less sexually permissive
• are more supportive of traditional gender roles.

• are more likely to believe that a homosexual orientation is freely chosen
• are less likely to have had close personal friends or family members who are openly lesbian or gay.

Blog   |   Contents   |   Publications   |   Library   |   Site Search   |   Contact Us   |   Useful Links   |   Social Psych Net

When thinking about these associations, it is important to remember two considerations. First, these associations describe general patterns in the population. Not all individuals fit those patterns.

Second, these are correlations, not statements of causal relationships. When two variables are correlated, it is possible that one causes the other (although which variable is the cause and which is the consequence cannot be known simply from a correlation). It is also possible that both variables are caused by a third variable.

For example, as shown below, the belief that homosexuality is freely chosen is correlated with higher levels of sexual prejudice. This relationship may mean that believing homosexuality to be a choice leads a person to hold negative attitudes toward gay men and lesbians. Or it may mean that people who hold negative attitudes are more receptive to beliefs that seem to attach blame to gay men and lesbians.

Or a third factor may be involved. For example, heterosexuals who have close gay or lesbian friends are more likely than others to hold favorable attitudes toward gay people in general and to believe that sexual orientation isn't a matter of personal choice. So it is possible that the correlation between sexual prejudice and beliefs about choice actually reflects the relationship of both variables to a third variable, namely, personal contact with openly gay men and lesbians.

With these considerations in mind, what characteristics tend to be associated with sexual prejudice?
 

• men
• older
• less well-educated
• residing in geographic areas where negative attitudes represent the norm (for example, rural areas or the Midwestern or Southern United States).

• more likely to attend religious services frequently
• more likely to endorse orthodox religious beliefs, such as the literal truth of the Bible
• more likely to be a Republican than a Democrat or Independent
• more likely to describe themselves as politically conservative, rather than liberal or moderate.

• display higher levels of psychological authoritarianism
• are less sexually permissive
• are more supportive of traditional gender roles.

• are more likely to believe that a homosexual orientation is freely chosen
• are less likely to have had close personal friends or family members who are openly lesbian or gay.

Blog   |   Contents   |   Publications   |   Library   |   Site Search   |   Contact Us   |   Useful Links   |   Social Psych Net

When thinking about these associations, it is important to remember two considerations. First, these associations describe general patterns in the population. Not all individuals fit those patterns.

Second, these are correlations, not statements of causal relationships. When two variables are correlated, it is possible that one causes the other (although which variable is the cause and which is the consequence cannot be known simply from a correlation). It is also possible that both variables are caused by a third variable.

For example, as shown below, the belief that homosexuality is freely chosen is correlated with higher levels of sexual prejudice. This relationship may mean that believing homosexuality to be a choice leads a person to hold negative attitudes toward gay men and lesbians. Or it may mean that people who hold negative attitudes are more receptive to beliefs that seem to attach blame to gay men and lesbians.

Or a third factor may be involved. For example, heterosexuals who have close gay or lesbian friends are more likely than others to hold favorable attitudes toward gay people in general and to believe that sexual orientation isn't a matter of personal choice. So it is possible that the correlation between sexual prejudice and beliefs about choice actually reflects the relationship of both variables to a third variable, namely, personal contact with openly gay men and lesbians.

With these considerations in mind, what characteristics tend to be associated with sexual prejudice?
 

• men
• older
• less well-educated
• residing in geographic areas where negative attitudes represent the norm (for example, rural areas or the Midwestern or Southern United States).

• more likely to attend religious services frequently
• more likely to endorse orthodox religious beliefs, such as the literal truth of the Bible
• more likely to be a Republican than a Democrat or Independent
• more likely to describe themselves as politically conservative, rather than liberal or moderate.

• display higher levels of psychological authoritarianism
• are less sexually permissive
• are more supportive of traditional gender roles.

• are more likely to believe that a homosexual orientation is freely chosen
• are less likely to have had close personal friends or family members who are openly lesbian or gay.

Blog   |   Contents   |   Publications   |   Library   |   Site Search   |   Contact Us   |   Useful Links   |   Social Psych Net