MEASURING COGNITIVE, AFFECTIVE, AND BEHAVIORAL COMPONENTS OF HOMOPHOBIC REACTION

Comprehensive, reliable, and valid measurement of prejudicial attitude s and behaviors toward lesbians and gay males has been identified as a priority. A sample of undergraduate (N = 97) and high school students (N = 40) completed three reliable measures of cognitive (Modified Att itudes Toward Homosexuality Scale), affective (Affective Reactions to Homosexuality Scale), and behavioral (Homophobic Behavior of Students Scale) reactions to homosexuals. Undergraduate students' responses con firmed the three-factor structure (homophobic guilt, homophobic anger, delight) of affects in this domain, and supported the concurrent vali dity of the behavioral measure. Predictive validity of the behavioral scale was demonstrated by findings of the high school study which show ed that students subsequently acted in accordance with their responses to this paper-and-pencil test LISREL confirmatory factor analysis of the overarching model indicated that a tripartite (cognition-affect-be havior) measurement strategy was appropriate. This strategy may be use d in future research to provide comprehensive indication of which educ ational interventions make a difference in improving understanding and acceptance of homosexuality.