Abstract reasoning as a predictor of attitudes toward gay men

J Homosex. 2010;57(7):914-27. doi: 10.1080/00918369.2010.493442.

Abstract

This study examined the hypothesis that participants scoring lowest on a measure of abstract reasoning skills would have the highest levels of anti-gay prejudice. It was further hypothesized that abstract reasoning scores would account for variance in prejudice beyond that accounted for by previously established correlates of attitudes toward gay men: sex of the respondent (men being more prejudiced than women), contact with gay people (less contact being associated with higher prejudice), and right-wing authoritarianism (RWA; positively correlating with prejudice). It was also expected that abstract reasoning skills would be negatively correlated with RWA. The results supported each hypothesis. The predictor most strongly related to anti-gay prejudice was RWA, followed by contact with gay people, abstract reasoning skills, and sex of the respondent.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude*
  • Authoritarianism
  • Cognition*
  • Female
  • Homosexuality, Male*
  • Humans
  • Intelligence
  • Male
  • Prejudice
  • Psychological Tests