The relationship between affective and cognitive components of homophobic reaction

The affective component of homophobia was explored by a factor-analytic study and related to the cognitive component. Eighty-one undergraduate students read an anecdote with either homosexual or heterosexual content. Subjects' affects were measured with an adjective checklist, and subjects' cognitions were measured as to their attitudes toward homosexuality with the Attitudes Toward Homosexuality Scale (ATHS). Results suggest two affective homophobia factors: homophobic anger and homophobic guilt. Homophobic anger correlates strongly with the cognitive component (ATHS), r = -0.73, whereas homophobic guilt does not correlate with the cognitive component (ATHS), r = 0.02. Homophobic guilt seems unrelated to homophobic attitude. Adjective checklists appear useful for measuring affective components of homophobia.