A study of the Queensland University on more than 11,000 volunteers found a strong correlation between homophobia and low IQ
People who are homophobic have a low average IQ: it didn’t take a psychologist to say this, but now there is scientific proof. A team of psychologists from Queensland University in Australia conducted research into public opinion on issues such as homosexuality and gender identity. The aim was to find out whether there is a correlation between IQ and homophobia. Homophobia is the irrational fear of and aversion to homosexuality, bisexuality, transsexuality and therefore to homosexual, bisexual and transgender people. The European Union considers it analogous to racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and sexism. The Australians’ research looked at a sample of 11,564 Australian participants (men and women) of a wide range of ages. The results of the study were recently published in the authoritative scientific journal Intelligence. The title of the article, written by Prof. Francisco Perales, is ‘The cognitive roots of prejudice towards same-sex couples: An analysis of an Australian national sample’.
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“‘There is a correlation between homophobia and low IQ’
The Queensland University team analysed and processed data from several other studies carried out in Australia. These tests were aimed at assessing the cognitive abilities of the subjects subjected to them. After a series of ‘technical’ IQ questions, participants were asked to rate the phrase ‘same-sex couples should have the same rights as heterosexual couples’. The researchers catalogued and analysed the reactions of all the more than 11,000 participants. What emerged was a strong correlation between low IQ and homophobic and racist views. Of course, having a low IQ does not necessarily mean being ‘unintelligent’ or even ‘stupid’. The study does, however, offer very significant data on the relationship between cognitive ability and prejudiced opinions. Not surprisingly, the researchers suggest that “greater participation in the education of young people and improvement of their cognitive ability levels may also prevent homophobic and racist attitudes”.
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