The Impact of White Heterosexual Students' Interactions on Attitudes Toward Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual People: A Longitudinal Study

Based on the Contact Hypothesis (Allport, 1979) a model for understanding the development of attitudes toward LGB relationships among White heterosexual undergraduate students was proposed. Using 401 White heterosexual students (70% women) attending a large public mid-Atlantic university this model was tested. More specifically, the effects of gender, pre-college variables (attitudes and interpersonal contact), and college contact with LGB individuals on attitudes toward LGB relationships after two years of college were tested using a series of regression analyses. The proposed model was supported by statistical analyses. Suggestions for facilitating the development of more positive attitudes among students are made.