Effects of Social Contact with Homosexuals on Heterosexual Turkish University Students' Attitudes Towards Homosexuality

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of social interaction with homosexuals on attitudes toward homosexuality in a sample of heterosexual Turkish university students. Hudson and Ricketts' 25-item scale was translated from English into Turkish and used to measure students' attitudes toward homosexuality. Findings, in general, suggested that exposure to and contact with homosexuals resulted in more positive attitudes toward homosexuality. Performed factor analysis demonstrated that there were three factors for the scale. The factors were labelled as “Social interaction with homosexuals,” “Probable family ties with homosexuals,” and “Tendency to be a homosexual.” Subjects' negative attitudes toward homosexuality increased on the last two factors, which were about having a homosexual child or sibling, and being comfortable with being attracted to a homosexual. Results were discussed in terms of prejudice and intergroup contact.

Key Words:

• Homosexuality
• social interaction
• attitudes
• friendship with homosexuals
• intergroup contact
• homosexuality in Turkey
• prejudice