title: Biological explanation, psychological explanation, and tolerance of homosexuals: a cross-national analysis of beliefs and attitudes.
abstract: Controversies are commonplace among scientists who endorse different ideas about the determinants of homosexual orientation and their concomitant social and political implications. To measure the relationship between beliefs about the determinants of homosexual orientation and attitudes toward homosexuals, we asked 745 respondents in four societies about their beliefs concerning the origins of homosexual orientation. Analysis indicated that subjects who believed that homosexuals are "born that way" held significantly more positive attitudes toward homosexuals than subjects who believed that homosexuals "choose to be that way" and/or "learn to be that way."
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Ernulf
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Innala
authors.forename: F L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Whitam
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007062:Identification, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010556:Personality Tests