Analysis

Park’s Heterosexism Scale (PHS) is a psychometric tool designed to evaluate attitudes and perceptions related to heterosexism. Heterosexism refers to a prejudice that regards heterosexuality as the superior or “normal” sexual orientation, while devaluing or stigmatizing other forms of sexuality. The scale focuses on understanding contemporary forms of this prejudice and how it manifests in social and cultural contexts.

Objective

The aim of the scale is:
Assessment of Heterosexist Attitudes: To measure the perceptions and attitudes that maintain heterosexism.
Understanding Social Norms: To explore how social and cultural values influence the acceptance or rejection of sexual diversity.
Support for Educational Interventions: To promote the development of educational programs that foster acceptance and equality.
Enhancement of Social Awareness: To raise awareness about the impact of heterosexism on social relationships and the mental health of LGBTQ+ individuals.

Scoring

The scale consists of various statements rated by participants using a Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). The statements concern attitudes and perceptions about heterosexuality as a superior sexual orientation, and the total scores provide an estimate of the level of heterosexism.

References

Park, B. K., & Schaller, M. (2005). Structural Bases of Attitude Formation: The Influence of Efficacy, Valence, and Potency in the Process of Persuasion. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 41(1), 64–77.
Herek, G. M. (2004). Beyond ‘Homophobia’: Thinking About Sexual Prejudice and Stigma in the Twenty-First Century. Sexuality Research & Social Policy, 1(2), 6–24.
Brown, R. (2000). Social Identity Theory: Past Achievements, Current Problems and Future Challenges. European Journal of Social Psychology, 30(6), 745–778.
Nadal, K. L., Davidoff, K. C., Davis, L. S., & Wong, Y. (2014). Emotional, Behavioral, and Cognitive Reactions to Microaggressions: Transgender Perspectives. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, 1(1), 72–81.
Meyer, I. H. (2003). Prejudice, Social Stress, and Mental Health in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Populations: Conceptual Issues and Research Evidence. Psychological Bulletin, 129(5), 674–697.