Low Cognitive Ability Linked To Prejudice Against Same-Sex Couples, Australian Study Shows

The results are in and it appears that people who have a lower IQ are more likely to be prejudiced than people who are brighter. Research shows that low intelligence goes together with racism, bigotry and homophobia.    Less intelligent people often grow up informed and without contact with people who are different to them.  They therefore show more prejudice to people of different colour to them, and people of different sexual orientation to themselves. 

If you look at the research conducted in the book ‘The Cognitive Roots of Prejudice Towards Same-Sex Couples: An Analysis of an Australian National Sample,’ written by Francisco Perales, you will be able to look at her finding.  She has analysed the associations between people of a lower cognitive ability and their attitudes towards the LGBQT community and people.  People who grow up with parents of low intelligence, or low cognitive ability, often showcase homophobic behaviour.  This is often a learned behaviour from their parents.  If these people are asked why they don’t like LGBQT people, they often cannot give a concrete answer.

This does not mean all people of low intelligence are homophobic or racist, it depends on your upbringing.  The truth is that intelligent people are ore often exposed to different cultures, books, education and debate.  The family debates are better, economic well being is better and prejudice is much lower.

Cognitive ability can be assessed by these three cognitive measures:-

The Digit Span Backwards Test  (used to assess working memory)

The National Adult Reading Test (used to estimate intelligence levels)

The Symbol Digit Modalities Check. (used to screen cerebral dysfunction.)

Participants who score low in all three of the above are more likely to be homophobic.  When asked questions about homosexuality and the LGBQT population, most answers were prejudiced. 

Can this be changed?  Through continued education and communication, yes.