Homophobia and its Psychological Correlates among Heterosexual Population

The present study is an attempt to compare homophobic and non-homophobic individuals in terms of Defense styles used, Type D personality (Negative Affectivity & Social Inhibition) and Gender Role Identity. A sample consisting of 150 persons with age ranging from 20 40 years, both male & female were taken from in and around Kolkata. The sample was divided in high homophobic and low homophobic subgroups depending on the score obtained on Index of Homophobia. The statistical analysis of the data included mean, standard deviation and independent sample t test. The results indicated that there is a significant difference between high homophobic and low homophobic individuals in terms of humor, acting out, passive aggression, denial and dissociation. Moreover there was no significant difference found between high homophobic and low homophobic individuals in terms of Type D personality and Gender role.