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InPsych 2018 | Vol 40

Education and research : Research snapshot

Nature versus nurture

Nature versus nurture

Belief that homosexuality stems from social conditioning may mean less support for same-sex marriage.

Researchers at Central Queensland University have discovered that those who believe homosexuality to be a result of a person’s social environment are less likely to support same-sex marriage (SSM), than those who see homosexuality as having a biological basis. More than 500 people were surveyed and after controlling for other predictors (gender, religiosity and age), nature versus nurture remained the significant predictor of SSM attitudes. Shedding new light on influences on attitude, the researchers found that over half the respondents reported same-sex-attracted acquaintances as their sources for their etiological beliefs, followed by a quarter stating that scientific research was their influencer.

DOI: 10.1007/s13178-017-0276-y 

References

Disclaimer: Published in InPsych on February 2018. The APS aims to ensure that information published in InPsych is current and accurate at the time of publication. Changes after publication may affect the accuracy of this information. Readers are responsible for ascertaining the currency and completeness of information they rely on, which is particularly important for government initiatives, legislation or best-practice principles which are open to amendment. The information provided in InPsych does not replace obtaining appropriate professional and/or legal advice.