Are there psychological explanations for homophobia and xenophobia?

Question

Some phobias seem to bring on a physiological condition, like fear of spiders, and can be explained as perhaps something that occurred in the past - or maybe an evolutionary feature which ensured survival.

However, homophobia and xenophobia are less clear - and perhaps inappropriately called phobia.

Is there a psychological explanation for homophobia - or is it just bigotry - intolerance - prejudice.

There might an evolutionary aspect to xenophobia, in that it would be wise to be cautious with strangers - but why does xenophobia persist after initial natural caution?

Answer 1

I think in some cases, though very few, such "phobias" are based on ingrained early experience, either poor values taught by a hateful mentor or early experiences you could site as a trigger, being persistently and cruelly bullied by a black child for instance.

However, like you, on the whole I think adding the word "phobia" is inappropriate and gives an excusable, almost illness based slant to an issue which is usually based on ignorance, hatred and stupidity.

Answer 2

Homophobia, a term often used to describe hostile reactions to lesbians/g*y men. Implies a undimensional contrast of attitudes as expressions of fear.There are a broad range of reactions to homosexuality among Amercians, based on attitudes serve psychologial functions, and are according how they benfit the person who has an attitudes.

Homphobia by personal experience with homosexuals, or the consequences of expressing one'sopinions about homosexuals.

The word its self is used to characterize any one who dissaproves of homosexuals behavier, this is un fair or incorrect by many who belive there are rational reasons to opposehomosexuality.

It can be argued that this use of the term homophobia is self-contradory,since a phobiadoes not have any rational motives.

This is more like prejudice or discrimination.Some do have this and any form of disapproval is homophobia, But never seen there selves as a g*y rights advocates.

Xenophobia is like people;s biological, evolutionary heritage which has encouraged this xenophobia.This is a fear or hatered of anyone or any thing people dont under stand and most wont try to under stand either or dont care.Anxiety disorder, People fear homsexuals not so much the person just the fact that they are with man/man or woman/ woman and most who get upset dont know the reasons for this or know why a person has this trate. Alot of people dont like the idea of the same s*x together for there own reasons but it boils down to this they are still humans no matter who  there parnter  is- man/ man woman/ woman or man/woman.They still live ,breath and die like the rest of this crazy world.