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Differences in attitudes toward gays and lesbians among criminal justice and non-criminal justice majors

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Abstract

The criminal justice system is supposed to protect and serve all members of the community equally; therefore, any prejudicial attitudes harbored by criminal justice students may negatively impact their job performance as future justice professionals. Four hundred and eighty-four students at a large Midwestern university were surveyed on their views toward gay and lesbian persons and issues. The responses of criminal justice majors were compared to the responses of students majoring in other fields. Criminal justice majors tended to have more negative views of gays and lesbians than students in other majors. However, there was not a significant difference between the two groups of students in their willingness to extend rights to and socialize with gay and lesbian individuals.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Criminal Justice Department, The University of Toledo, Mail Stop 119, HH 3221, 43615, Toledo, OH

    Lois A. Ventura, Eric G. Lambert, Michael Bryant & Sudershan Pasupuleti

Authors
  1. Lois A. Ventura
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  2. Eric G. Lambert
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  3. Michael Bryant
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  4. Sudershan Pasupuleti
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Correspondence to Eric G. Lambert.

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Ventura, L.A., Lambert, E.G., Bryant, M. et al. Differences in attitudes toward gays and lesbians among criminal justice and non-criminal justice majors. Am J Crim Just 28, 165–180 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02885870

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