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I ran across this while doing research for a story I am working on and found it fascinating. The questionnaire can be accessed at the end of the article by clicking on its link.
For much of this century, homosexuality was defined by the medical and scientific community as a psychiatric disorder. In the last several decades, however, "homosexuality" has been removed from the diagnostic manual of disorders, and research emphasis has shifted to the other side of the problem: the study of the negative, sometimes pathological, reactions to homosexuals by heterosexuals.
The term "homophobia" has gained currency as a one-word summary of this widespread problem. Since the early 1980's, scientists attempting to measure homophobia have developed a number of different homophobia scales and questionnaires.
In 1996, as part of his study on homophobia, Dr. Henry Adams and his colleagues at the University of Georgia developed their own "Homophobia Scale" by modifying scales used by other researchers in earlier studies. It's a 25-item questionnaire "designed to measure your thoughts, feelings and behaviors with regards to homosexuality." The instructions stressed: "It is not a test, so there are no right or wrong answers."
Below, FRONTLINE has reproduced this "Wright, Adams, and Bernat Homophobia Scale." It is not a perfect measure of anti-gay feelings or ideas, and is not a predictor of potential for anti-gay violence. [Though this scale was used in a research project designed to test the theory that homophobia is a manifestation of repressed homosexual desire, the scale is not a measure of homosexuality.]
Wright, Adams & Bernat Homophobia Scale
This questionnaire is designed to measure your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors with regards to homosexuality. It is not a test, so there are no right or wrong answers. Answer each item by checking the number after each question as follows:
1 = Strongly agree
2 = Agree
3 = Neither agree nor disagree
4 = Disagree
5 = Strongly disagree
1. Gay people make me nervous.
2. Gay people deserve what they get.
3. Homosexuality is acceptable to me.
4. If I discovered a friend was gay I would end the friendship.
5. I think homosexual people should not work with children.
6. I make derogatory remarks about gay people.
7. I enjoy the company of gay people.
8. Marriage between homosexual individuals is acceptable.
9. I make derogatory remarks like "faggot" or "queer" to people I suspect are gay.
10. It does not matter to me whether my friends are gay or straight.
11. It would upset me if I learned that a close friend was homosexual.
12. Homosexuality is immoral.
13. I tease and make jokes about gay people.
14. I feel that you cannot trust a person who is homosexual.
15. I fear homosexual persons will make sexual advances towards me.
16. Organizations which promote gay rights are not necessary.
17. I have damaged property of a gay person, such as "keying" their car.
18. I would feel uncomfortable having a gay roommate.
19. I would hit a homosexual for coming on to me.
20. Homosexual behavior should not be against the law.
21. I avoid gay individuals.
22. It bothers me to see two homosexual people together in public.
23. When I see a gay person I think, "What a waste."
24. When I meet someone I try to find out if he/she is gay.
25. I have rocky relationships with people that I suspect are gay.
Scoring
Scientifically accurate scoring of this scale is not possible outside of actual research conditions. But the scale can be used as a rough but worthwhile measure of heterosexual attitudes toward homosexuals.
In general, the higher the score, the greater the negative attitudes and beliefs about homosexuals. At the end, you can compare your score to the participants' in the Adams study to see whether you ranked as more or less homophobic.
A note on the scoring: Answer honestly. The scoring of the test is not as obvious as the 1-5 numbering might indicate.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/assault/etc/quiz.html
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OK, I took the quiz. The result: Your score rates you as "high-grade non-homophobic."
Well, at least I'm high grade in something!
J F R
The paradox has often been noted that the United States, founded in secularism, is now the most religiose country in Christendom, while England, with an established church headed by its constitutional monarch, is among the least. (Richard Dawkins, 2006)
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saben
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On fire! |
Registered: May 2003
Messages: 1537
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15 - Your score rates you as "high-grade non-homophobic."
Some of my answers probably reflect the fact that I'm someone that's grown up being used to using "gay" as an insult and that while gay I still find it weird to see other openly gay couples.
Some things I didn't have a strongly "pro-gay" opinion on. I'm rather neutral.
Look at this tree. I cannot make it blossom when it suits me nor make it bear fruit before its time [...] No matter what you do, that seed will grow to be a peach tree. You may wish for an apple or an orange, but you will get a peach.
Master Oogway
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Being a gay man I'm not sure if there is a point to my taking the test, but reading thru the questions I am fascinated by how negative they are.
Like question Number 6: I make derogatory remarks about gay people. Well, yes I do, some bitches need to be slapped silly.
All behavior within a tribe is not equal, there are always those on the fringe doing things I don't condone. Do they have a right to do it? Certainly. Do I have to like it? NO.
I'm a quiet gay guy who shuns the outrageous (Lady GaGa ain't my thing), but if it isn't in my face I don't begrudge the campy lifestyle. I would rather see gays viewed as mainstream, accepted as valuable people in our society. I'm in that part of the gay world that doesn't make it on the news dancing in high heels, half naked and acting more feminine than any woman ever would.
They act like that because they can, and for all the years of repression we endured. I admit they need to act out, just please, don't speak for me. My neighbors know who I am, I still get invited to their summer picnics and Christmas parties. They don't hide their kids from me. I am normal to them, gay is what I do in private. That's where I think it belongs.
I remember a quiet pastoral scene broken up by screaming and yelling. It was years ago on the Washington Mall, the AIDS Quilt was on display and the so called Reverend Fred Phelps was there too. My friends and I came upon him surrounded by gay men and lesbian women, they were screaming at his God Hates Fags sign.
He seemed to enjoy it, but the crowd wanted to hurt him badly. Freddy is the ultimate homophobe, he has lots of practice. But no one touched him that day and one by one everyone turned away, shunning him while the Park Police spirited him away. Wonder how he would do on the test?
Age appears to be best in four things; old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read. (Sir Francis Bacon 1561-1626)
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Homophobia Questionnaire 
