Lay theories of homosexuality: aetiology, behaviours and 'cures'

This study set out to investigate the determinants, structure and relationship between lay people's beliefs about the aetiology (causes) of homosexuality, the attitudes to the behaviours of practising homosexuals and efficacy of 'cures' for homosexuality. Over two hundred and fifty subjects completed a three-part questionnaire, in which they specified their sexual orientation, personal contact patterns with homosexuals amongst other personal details. A factor analysis was performed on each of the three parts of the questionnaire and an interpretable factor structure emerged which suggested that lay people have an integrated 'theory' or schema concerning homosexuality. Lay theories concerning the aetiology, behaviours of, and 'cures' for homosexuality were moderately related to demographic variables such as sex, age and education, but strongly related to sexual orientation and contact with homosexuals. These results are discussed in terms of the literature on lay theories in general, and attitudes to homosexuals in particular.