An Investigation of Current Attitudes Towards Homosexuality; using Implicit and Explicit Measures

Murphy, Laura (2018) An Investigation of Current Attitudes Towards Homosexuality; using Implicit and Explicit Measures. Undergraduate thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

In light of recent changes to homosexual rights and marital laws within the Western world, it appears that attitudes towards homosexuality have become more positive in the past decade. This study examined attitudes towards homosexuality in the general population. Forty 18-48 year olds completed the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) and completed the modified Homophobia Scale Questionnaire (HSQ). Participants also completed a modified 20-item Homophobia Scale Questionnaire. A mixed factorial ANOVA showed a significant interaction between sex and positive attitudes in predicting homophobic attitudes (F(1,48)=6.41,p<0.05). Participants in the homosexuality group showed significant differences in attitude compared to those in the heterosexual group. The findings generally suggest that the negative attitudes towards homosexuals have evolved to become more positive. There were several limitations concerning this study including the sample and its size, the lack of reliability in the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) as it is a relatively new measure and in the Homophobia Scale Questionnaire due to it not being empirically validated, practice effect on the IRAP, if it is known that the IRAP is superior over any other implicit measure, sample consisted of Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich and Democratic (WEIRD) societies, It is suggested that future research development in this area may potentially result in strategies being implemented to make homosexuality accepted all around the world.

Item Type:	Thesis (Undergraduate)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > Psychology B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > Psychology > Cognitive psychology
Divisions:	School of Business > BA (Honours) in Psychology
Depositing User:	Caoimhe Ní Mhaicín
Date Deposited:	23 Oct 2018 13:30
Last Modified:	23 Oct 2018 13:30
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/3292

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