Abstract
This study describes the development and validation of the Homophobia Scale. The scale was developed to assess the cognitive, affective, and behavioral components of homophobia. The participants (n=321 for the field trials and n=122 for test–retest reliability) were college students from a large Midwestern university. Results yielded a 25-item questionnaire consisting of three factors: a factor that assesses mainly negative cognitions regarding homosexuality, a factor that assess primarily negative affect and avoidance of homosexual individuals, and a factor that assesses negative affect and aggression toward homosexual individuals. Concurrent validity was established using The Index of Homophobia (Hudson & Ricketts, 1980). The phases of scale development and implications of the results are discussed.
REFERENCES
American Psychiatric Association (1983). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (3rd ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.
American Psychiatric Association (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.
D'Augeilli, A. R., & Rose, M. L. (1990). Homophobia in a university community. Attitudes and experiences of heterosexual freshmen. Journal of College Student Development, 31, 484–491.
Fyfe, B. (1983). “Homophobia” or homosexual bias reconsidered. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 12, 549–554.
Geasler, M. J., Croteau, J. M., Heineman, C. J., & Edlund, C. J. (1995). A qualitative study of students' expressions of change after attending panel presentations by lesbian, gay, and bisexual speakers. Journal of College Student Development, 36, 483–492.
Haaga, D. (1991). Homophobia? Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 6, 171–174.
Harman, B. H. (1976). Modern factor analysis. (3rd ed., rev.). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Herek, G. M. (1984). Attitudes towards lesbians and gay men: A factor-analytic study. Journal of Homosexuality, 10, 39–51.
Herek, G. M. (1989). Hate crimes against lesbians and gay men: Correlates and gender differences. American Psychologist, 44, 948–955.
Hudson, W. W., & Ricketts, W. A. (1980). A strategy for the measurement of homophobia. Journal of Homosexuality, 5, 357–372.
MacDonald, A. P., Jr. (1976). Homophobia: Its roots and meanings. Homosexual Counseling Journal, 3, 23–33.
MacDonald, A. P., Higgins, J., Young, S., & Swanson, R. A. (1973). Attitudes toward homosexuality: Preservation of sex morality or the double standard. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 40, 161.
Marmor, J. (1980). Overview: The multiple roots of homosexual behavior. In J. Marmor (Ed.), Homosexual behavior—A modern reappraisal. New York: Basic Books.
Nunnally, J. C. (1978). Psychometric theory (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.
O'Donohue, W., & Caselles, C. E. (1993). Homophobia: Conceptual, definitional, and value issues. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 15, 177–195.
Patel. S., Long, T. E. McCammon, S. L., & Wuensch, K. L. (1995). Personality and emotional correlates of self-reported anti-gay behaviors. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 10, 354–366.
Roderick, T., McCammon, S. L., Long, T. E., & Allred, L. J. (1998) Behavioral aspects of homonegativity. Journal of Homosexuality, 36, 79–88.
Walters, A. S. (1994). Using visual media to reduce homophobia: A classroom demonstration. Journal of Sex Education and Therapy, 20, 92–100.
West, D. J. (1977). Homosexuality re-examined. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
Weinberg, G. (1972). Society and the healthy homosexual. New York: St. Martins Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wright, L.W., Adams, H.E. & Bernat, J. Development and Validation of the Homophobia Scale. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment 21, 337–347 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022172816258
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022172816258