The Components of Attitudes Toward Homosexuality scale is multi-dimensional measure using 5-point Likert scale items ranging from 1 Strongly Disagree to 5 Strongly Agree. Its four factors are Condemnation/Tolerance, Morality, Contact, and Stereotypes. Morality and Contact have neutral items (unspecific to homosexual males or females). The authors state2:
Although the Condemnation/Tolerance and Morality factors may be similar for many purposes, it appears that the Contact and Stereotypes subscales are distinct factors. Researchers searching for a more fine-grained analysis of attitudes toward gay men and lesbians might choose one of those four factors.
Authors
LaMar and Mary E. Kite
Reliability and Validity
Condemnation/Tolerance Alpha = .92 for male and .89 for female
Gay Male/Lesbian Social Norms/Morality Alpha = .92 for male and .93 for female
Neutral Morality Alpha = .80
Gay Male/Lesbian Contact Alpha = .96 for male and .95 for female
Neutral Contact Alpha = .75
Gay Male/Lesbian Stereotypes Alpha = .78 for male and .75 for female
Obtaining the CATH
See http://www.bsu.edu/web/mkite/scales.htm
References
1 LaMar and Kite (1998). Sex differences in attitudes toward gay men and lesbians: A multi-dimensional perspective. The Journal of Sex Research, 35, 189-196.
2 http://www.bsu.edu/web/mkite/scales.htm accessed on 02/05/10
