The social psychology of homophobia
in Psychology ·
The number one Countdown-homophobe finally weighed in. Here we go again...
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The social psychology of homophobia
in Psychology ·
Treating homophobia...
Homophobia: basically a profound lack of love for one's own gender, which inevitably morphs into a deep-seated resentment toward anyone else who actually feels that connection... It’s the delusional belief that one specific way of loving is inherently superior and, therefore, should be forced upon everyone else.
Audre Lorde
For way too long, we’ve treated same-sex attraction and relationships as if they were the primary crisis facing our society. But let's be clear: the connection between two people isn't the issue. The actual social rot is homophobia—the endless, exhausting ways people choose to degrade others simply because of who they love or how they identify...
In many cultures, same-sex relationships are widely accepted as just another normal part of the human experience. But here in America, we still have people who cling to the idea that sexual contact between two men is somehow diseased or immoral... and they go even further when it comes to women, acting as if any kind of intimacy between them is either fundamentally wrong or simply impossible. It's exhausting...
This piece dives into how to spot homophobia within yourself and in those around you. It explores why this prejudice actually ends up hurting heterosexual people too, digs into the root causes behind the bias, and looks at what the path toward healing really looks like...
How to spot homophobia in yourself and others...
There are four distinct, yet deeply interconnected, layers to homophobia: personal, interpersonal, institutional, and cultural...
Personal homophobia is essentially just a prejudice rooted in the deep-seated belief that anyone identifying as lesbian, gay, or bisexual is somehow sinful, immoral, broken, or simply "less than" a heterosexual person... or just an incomplete man or woman. It shows up through fear, discomfort, dislike, or even outright hatred toward same-sex attraction. And honestly? Anyone can experience it, regardless of their own orientation. When someone in the LGBTQ+ community experiences those exact same feelings toward themselves, we call that internalized homophobia...
Just like heterosexuals, lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals are conditioned to believe that same-sex attraction is somehow inferior to being straight. A lot of people end up internalizing that nonsense... it becomes this deep-seated struggle where true self-acceptance feels almost impossible. They just swallow the stigma attached to being queer without ever realizing their own shame is actually a byproduct of societal pressure. It’s a vicious cycle. One result is that many people go to extreme lengths to hide who they really are; others desperately try to deny or "fix" their orientation; and some, tragically, end up driven to suicide...
Interpersonal homophobia isn't some abstract societal concept; it’s driven by raw, personal prejudice. It manifests through the small, ugly stuff—slurs, cheap jokes, verbal harassment, or even physical aggression. It's just one person targeting another... purely out of individual hate.
At its most extreme, interpersonal homophobia manifests as physical violence—people attacking lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals simply because they can't stomach their existence. But for most, that fear shows up in much quieter, more insidious ways. It’s the family members who suddenly find reasons to avoid their queer relatives; it’s the coworkers who become cold and distant the moment they realize someone isn't straight; it’s the "friends" who suddenly lose all interest the second you mention your partner... It's a subtle, constant withdrawal.
Institutional homophobia isn't just about individual prejudice; it’s much deeper than that. It refers to the systemic ways the government, major corporations, religious institutions, and other organized bodies discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation. In academic circles, this is also known as heterosexism... It's baked right into the system.
Institutional homophobia shows up in all sorts of ways. You see it in religious organizations that cling to rigid rules preventing LGBTQ+ individuals from leading services... you see it in agencies that flatly refuse to provide essential resources or support to those same communities... and you see it in government bodies that simply fail to protect equal rights for every citizen, regardless of who they love. It’s everywhere...
Cultural homophobia essentially boils down to those ingrained social norms and standards that dictate one version of reality: the idea that being heterosexual is inherently superior, or more "moral," than being a lesbian, gay, or bisexual. It’s this pervasive assumption that everyone is—or absolutely ought to be—straight. In academic circles, we call this systemic bias heterosexism...
Cultural homophobia is baked into our daily lives through TV shows and commercials where every single character is straight. Every romantic connection features a man and a woman, and there’s this unspoken assumption that every "normal" kid will naturally be attracted to the opposite sex and eventually marry them. In those rare instances where lesbians, gay men, or bisexual women and men actually get screen time, they’re usually portrayed through tired tropes—depicted as miserable, stuck in stereotypes, prone to self-destruction, or constantly questioning their own identity...
So, how does homophobia end up hurting straight people too?
While homophobia and heterosexism clearly target lesbians, gay men, and bisexual individuals through everything from verbal harassment to physical violence and systemic erasure, the fallout isn't limited to them. It hits straight people as well. By enforcing these rigid, suffocating definitions of what "appropriate" sexual behavior looks like, society limits everyone's ability to enjoy genuine sensual connections or emotional intimacy with the same sex. There's even a lingering fear that being too close to a friend of the same sex might lead others to label you as gay or lesbian. These anxieties create unnecessary stress and emotional rigidity, which can ultimately sabotage even heterosexual relationships.
Homophobia frequently tears families apart when parents discover their child is a lesbian, gay, or bisexual. Honestly, wouldn't life be much better if we just kept our families intact by supporting and respecting all our relatives, regardless of who they love?
In a society where the achievements of LGBTQ+ individuals are either hidden or actively disparaged, straight people end up living with a warped view of reality. They essentially learn about life through a single lens, ignoring the vast experiences, skills, and wisdom that lesbians, gay men, and bisexual people bring to the table. People could really enrich their own lives if they simply stayed connected with the LGBTQ+ community.
Denying equal rights to lesbians, gay men, and bisexual people inevitably leads to the erosion of rights for everyone else. Historically, American governments that most aggressively suppressed gay people were also the ones restricting others based on gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or class. If the LGBTQ+ community can be targeted for discrimination, then any other group in this country is vulnerable. If we truly believe in freedom and individual rights, we have to value all people and the differences that make a pluralistic society work.
What actually drives homophobia?
Personal homophobia—those deep-seated prejudices—is primarily fueled by ignorance. Much like sexism and racism, people are essentially taught how to be homophobes. Even with accurate information readily available, outdated myths about the LGBTQ+ community continue to circulate in American culture. Very few children receive unbiased information; instead, many adults cling to stereotypes learned in childhood, while certain religious and conservative organizations continue to peddle falsehoods.
Interpersonal homophobia, involving bullying and individual discrimination, can be understood through social psychology and its link to prejudice. People who are uncomfortable with their own sexuality, or who feel threatened by same-sex attraction, tend to be extremely rigid about what is considered "correct" behavior. They often try to punish others or force their beliefs onto lesbians, gay men, and bisexual people.
Institutional homophobia is driven, in part, by the struggle for power. Modern societies often create scapegoats just to maintain the status quo and protect those currently in charge. Throughout this century, various groups—including Jews, Black Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, women, and the LGBTQ+ community—have been blamed for a wide array of social and economic issues. When scapegoating works, the dominant group avoids having to take responsibility for injustice or give up their hard-won privileges.
Cultural homophobia is mostly driven by societal norms that dictate what counts as "acceptable" sexuality. Same-sex contact has existed in every society throughout history and has been openly embraced in many cultures. However, Western civilization tends to be repressive toward almost all forms of sexuality, unless it’s strictly for procreation or occurs within the framework of a heterosexual marriage. Because of this, same-sex attraction often becomes a target for fear and condemnation...
Is there a cure for homophobia?
Homophobia is widespread in America and many other places. Since we are all products of our environment, most of us carry some level of homophobia, regardless of our own sexual orientation.
Dealing with homophobia constructively starts with acknowledging that it exists everywhere. We can't just flip a switch and erase these ingrained feelings, but if we are willing to admit that these biases are present in all of us, we can take responsibility for our choices and change how we act.
Beyond acknowledging its ubiquity, here is what we can actually do:
Identify homophobia—not homosexuality—as the actual problem that needs solving. When talking with friends or colleagues, address homophobia directly. For too many people, discussions about lesbians, gay men, or bisexuals only happen through the lens of homophobic jokes or slurs.
Look at the parallels between homophobia and other forms of prejudice. Applying what we know about racism, sexism, or classism can help us better understand homophobia and find effective ways to push back against it.
Listen to the lived experiences of the LGBTQ+ community and assume their accounts of oppression are valid and true. Similarly, we should accept that the way lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals navigate the world is fundamentally different from the way heterosexuals experience it.
Actively support anti-discrimination efforts and campaigns aimed at dismantling homophobic prejudice and violence.
Dr. Livia Puljak
Homophobia: basically a profound lack of love for one's own gender, which inevitably morphs into a deep-seated resentment toward anyone else who actually feels that connection... It’s the delusional belief that one specific way of loving is inherently superior and, therefore, should be forced upon everyone else.
Audre Lorde
For way too long, we’ve treated same-sex attraction and relationships as if they were the primary crisis facing our society. But let's be clear: the connection between two people isn't the issue. The actual social rot is homophobia—the endless, exhausting ways people choose to degrade others simply because of who they love or how they identify...
In many cultures, same-sex relationships are widely accepted as just another normal part of the human experience. But here in America, we still have people who cling to the idea that sexual contact between two men is somehow diseased or immoral... and they go even further when it comes to women, acting as if any kind of intimacy between them is either fundamentally wrong or simply impossible. It's exhausting...
This piece dives into how to spot homophobia within yourself and in those around you. It explores why this prejudice actually ends up hurting heterosexual people too, digs into the root causes behind the bias, and looks at what the path toward healing really looks like...
How to spot homophobia in yourself and others...
There are four distinct, yet deeply interconnected, layers to homophobia: personal, interpersonal, institutional, and cultural...
Personal homophobia is essentially just a prejudice rooted in the deep-seated belief that anyone identifying as lesbian, gay, or bisexual is somehow sinful, immoral, broken, or simply "less than" a heterosexual person... or just an incomplete man or woman. It shows up through fear, discomfort, dislike, or even outright hatred toward same-sex attraction. And honestly? Anyone can experience it, regardless of their own orientation. When someone in the LGBTQ+ community experiences those exact same feelings toward themselves, we call that internalized homophobia...
Just like heterosexuals, lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals are conditioned to believe that same-sex attraction is somehow inferior to being straight. A lot of people end up internalizing that nonsense... it becomes this deep-seated struggle where true self-acceptance feels almost impossible. They just swallow the stigma attached to being queer without ever realizing their own shame is actually a byproduct of societal pressure. It’s a vicious cycle. One result is that many people go to extreme lengths to hide who they really are; others desperately try to deny or "fix" their orientation; and some, tragically, end up driven to suicide...
Interpersonal homophobia isn't some abstract societal concept; it’s driven by raw, personal prejudice. It manifests through the small, ugly stuff—slurs, cheap jokes, verbal harassment, or even physical aggression. It's just one person targeting another... purely out of individual hate.
At its most extreme, interpersonal homophobia manifests as physical violence—people attacking lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals simply because they can't stomach their existence. But for most, that fear shows up in much quieter, more insidious ways. It’s the family members who suddenly find reasons to avoid their queer relatives; it’s the coworkers who become cold and distant the moment they realize someone isn't straight; it’s the "friends" who suddenly lose all interest the second you mention your partner... It's a subtle, constant withdrawal.
Institutional homophobia isn't just about individual prejudice; it’s much deeper than that. It refers to the systemic ways the government, major corporations, religious institutions, and other organized bodies discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation. In academic circles, this is also known as heterosexism... It's baked right into the system.
Institutional homophobia shows up in all sorts of ways. You see it in religious organizations that cling to rigid rules preventing LGBTQ+ individuals from leading services... you see it in agencies that flatly refuse to provide essential resources or support to those same communities... and you see it in government bodies that simply fail to protect equal rights for every citizen, regardless of who they love. It’s everywhere...
Cultural homophobia essentially boils down to those ingrained social norms and standards that dictate one version of reality: the idea that being heterosexual is inherently superior, or more "moral," than being a lesbian, gay, or bisexual. It’s this pervasive assumption that everyone is—or absolutely ought to be—straight. In academic circles, we call this systemic bias heterosexism...
Cultural homophobia is baked into our daily lives through TV shows and commercials where every single character is straight. Every romantic connection features a man and a woman, and there’s this unspoken assumption that every "normal" kid will naturally be attracted to the opposite sex and eventually marry them. In those rare instances where lesbians, gay men, or bisexual women and men actually get screen time, they’re usually portrayed through tired tropes—depicted as miserable, stuck in stereotypes, prone to self-destruction, or constantly questioning their own identity...
So, how does homophobia end up hurting straight people too?
While homophobia and heterosexism clearly target lesbians, gay men, and bisexual individuals through everything from verbal harassment to physical violence and systemic erasure, the fallout isn't limited to them. It hits straight people as well. By enforcing these rigid, suffocating definitions of what "appropriate" sexual behavior looks like, society limits everyone's ability to enjoy genuine sensual connections or emotional intimacy with the same sex. There's even a lingering fear that being too close to a friend of the same sex might lead others to label you as gay or lesbian. These anxieties create unnecessary stress and emotional rigidity, which can ultimately sabotage even heterosexual relationships.
Homophobia frequently tears families apart when parents discover their child is a lesbian, gay, or bisexual. Honestly, wouldn't life be much better if we just kept our families intact by supporting and respecting all our relatives, regardless of who they love?
In a society where the achievements of LGBTQ+ individuals are either hidden or actively disparaged, straight people end up living with a warped view of reality. They essentially learn about life through a single lens, ignoring the vast experiences, skills, and wisdom that lesbians, gay men, and bisexual people bring to the table. People could really enrich their own lives if they simply stayed connected with the LGBTQ+ community.
Denying equal rights to lesbians, gay men, and bisexual people inevitably leads to the erosion of rights for everyone else. Historically, American governments that most aggressively suppressed gay people were also the ones restricting others based on gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or class. If the LGBTQ+ community can be targeted for discrimination, then any other group in this country is vulnerable. If we truly believe in freedom and individual rights, we have to value all people and the differences that make a pluralistic society work.
What actually drives homophobia?
Personal homophobia—those deep-seated prejudices—is primarily fueled by ignorance. Much like sexism and racism, people are essentially taught how to be homophobes. Even with accurate information readily available, outdated myths about the LGBTQ+ community continue to circulate in American culture. Very few children receive unbiased information; instead, many adults cling to stereotypes learned in childhood, while certain religious and conservative organizations continue to peddle falsehoods.
Interpersonal homophobia, involving bullying and individual discrimination, can be understood through social psychology and its link to prejudice. People who are uncomfortable with their own sexuality, or who feel threatened by same-sex attraction, tend to be extremely rigid about what is considered "correct" behavior. They often try to punish others or force their beliefs onto lesbians, gay men, and bisexual people.
Institutional homophobia is driven, in part, by the struggle for power. Modern societies often create scapegoats just to maintain the status quo and protect those currently in charge. Throughout this century, various groups—including Jews, Black Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, women, and the LGBTQ+ community—have been blamed for a wide array of social and economic issues. When scapegoating works, the dominant group avoids having to take responsibility for injustice or give up their hard-won privileges.
Cultural homophobia is mostly driven by societal norms that dictate what counts as "acceptable" sexuality. Same-sex contact has existed in every society throughout history and has been openly embraced in many cultures. However, Western civilization tends to be repressive toward almost all forms of sexuality, unless it’s strictly for procreation or occurs within the framework of a heterosexual marriage. Because of this, same-sex attraction often becomes a target for fear and condemnation...
Is there a cure for homophobia?
Homophobia is widespread in America and many other places. Since we are all products of our environment, most of us carry some level of homophobia, regardless of our own sexual orientation.
Dealing with homophobia constructively starts with acknowledging that it exists everywhere. We can't just flip a switch and erase these ingrained feelings, but if we are willing to admit that these biases are present in all of us, we can take responsibility for our choices and change how we act.
Beyond acknowledging its ubiquity, here is what we can actually do:
Identify homophobia—not homosexuality—as the actual problem that needs solving. When talking with friends or colleagues, address homophobia directly. For too many people, discussions about lesbians, gay men, or bisexuals only happen through the lens of homophobic jokes or slurs.
Look at the parallels between homophobia and other forms of prejudice. Applying what we know about racism, sexism, or classism can help us better understand homophobia and find effective ways to push back against it.
Listen to the lived experiences of the LGBTQ+ community and assume their accounts of oppression are valid and true. Similarly, we should accept that the way lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals navigate the world is fundamentally different from the way heterosexuals experience it.
Actively support anti-discrimination efforts and campaigns aimed at dismantling homophobic prejudice and violence.
Dr. Livia Puljak
Hypersexuality: Let's talk about it
in Psychology ·
Matthew Castillo5 said:Well, for me, sex isn't like that. Sex without love is completely off the table. Maybe it's because I'm a woman, or maybe I'm just a romantic, or perhaps it's simply because sex isn't one of those primal, baseline necessities for me like food or water.
So now I'm curious: are there any women here who view sex purely as a way to satisfy a physical need, or any men who require an emotional connection before they'll consider having sex with someone else?
Exactly. That's my point. If I could change one thing about myself, it would be this. Life is already complicated enough as it is... I really don't need all these damn emotions complicating things further.
Hypersexuality: Let's talk about it
in Psychology ·
Well, I always seem to be left with nothing but poetry... 🙂
Though, that is a fair point. It would certainly be useful to have an answer to that...
Though, that is a fair point. It would certainly be useful to have an answer to that...
Hypersexuality: Let's talk about it
in Psychology ·
redharbor9 said:Do you need to befriend every cow before you slaughter it just to get a steak on your plate? Or do you have to bond with every single cherry on the tree before you pick it and eat it? If the answer is no, then we have our reason. It's because that steak and that fruit exist for one thing: satisfying a basic need.
Sex is the exact same thing. If you hook up with someone you wouldn't even recognize on the street tomorrow, or someone whose name you don't even know, it's just fulfilling a need. Both sides. Period. It’s no different than eating, drinking, or sleeping... just satisfying a physical urge, nothing more.
Oh, this gives me just enough room for some poetic expression:
In the grass so green and bright,
little calf, you graze so light,
near your mother, sweet and small,
waving tails to one and all.
My little baby beef, so fine,
you have no clue what fate is mine,
a violent, bloody, sudden fate,
and a tender roast upon my plate!
Well, there you go. Neither cattle nor tomatoes are human beings, so they don't possess feelings comparable to human communication. That makes the comparison quite amusing, actually. But here is where my actual problem lies, because this is clearly an issue. Satisfying needs is instinctive, primitive, and animalistic. Sure, you have to eat, drink, and fight to survive... but shouldn't sex be a more refined act that separates us from the animals? Shouldn't it? Are you people really equating yourselves to beasts by having sex without using your brains?
Hypersexuality: Let's talk about it
in Psychology ·
So, look, what I’m actually getting at isn't about nymphomania... it's something else entirely. I just don't wrap my head around these impulses where sex becomes the absolute priority. Honestly, I can't even relate to that mindset, which is why I struggle with it. I thought maybe someone could give me a professional perspective here. For instance, the idea of sex without any emotional connection makes my skin crawl—though I suppose that's just labeled a "female dysfunction" by some... And sure, I get the occasional grooming thing, but treating constant sexual pursuit as a full-blown lifestyle? It’s bizarre. How is it possible for some people to never develop actual feelings for others? Are they just brain dead? You know... are they just flatliners? That's what scares me. I genuinely cannot fathom where that state of being comes from. I just want to understand it so it feels less alien... and so I don't feel so threatened by people like that. That's all.
Hypersexuality: Let's talk about it
in Psychology ·
An emotional void. Interesting... yeah, I’m getting that same vibe.
Hypersexuality: Let's talk about it
in Psychology ·
Jerry Cooper3 said:And frankly, the exact same question applies to men as well!
I think there’s a distinction here because, biologically speaking, sex is almost a necessity for men—they just need that release. Then again, I’m no expert; I figured someone here might actually know more than I do. So, we're talking about people who are usually incredible lovers and amazing in bed... and let's face it, who doesn't love that? But is it smarter to approach them from that angle and just use them, much like they're using you as some sort of disposable commodity? Or is leaning into that side of sexuality actually damaging for someone whose nature isn't built that way... say, if you're the type of person who is genuinely sensitive and emotional...
Hypersexuality: Let's talk about it
in Psychology ·
Since I haven't received an answer to any of my questions yet, maybe I should try framing this differently.
Is it considered a disorder if someone is completely incapable of emotional attachment? Not just being distant, but feeling absolutely nothing for anyone—not even you. They can listen to you talk until they're blue in the face, but they couldn't care less about what you're going through. I'm not sure if that makes it clearer... Imagine a woman who just wanders around, hooking up with whoever she meets, feeling zero connection to anyone. She can't be faithful, she can't sustain a relationship, and she certainly can't be a partner. Is that actually normal?
Is it considered a disorder if someone is completely incapable of emotional attachment? Not just being distant, but feeling absolutely nothing for anyone—not even you. They can listen to you talk until they're blue in the face, but they couldn't care less about what you're going through. I'm not sure if that makes it clearer... Imagine a woman who just wanders around, hooking up with whoever she meets, feeling zero connection to anyone. She can't be faithful, she can't sustain a relationship, and she certainly can't be a partner. Is that actually normal?
Hypersexuality: Let's talk about it
in Psychology ·
So, here’s the real question: how do you actually spot hypersexuality? Is this some kind of disorder where people just can't be faithful or feel any actual affection—they’re just wired for sex, cheating on everyone they meet? And more importantly, how are you supposed to react once you realize you've gotten tangled up with someone like that? Should we view it as an uncontrollable trait they aren't responsible for... or do we have every right to judge them as cold-blooded players who would sleep with anything that moves, even if it makes you sick, and couldn't feel love for you even if their life depended on it?
How do I stop racing thoughts?
in Psychology ·
athma said:Look, I don't actually believe you're going to end it all. No,
because the second you reach out for help,
you're basically admitting that you actually give a damn about staying alive...
and narcissists don't kill themselves... hehe 👍
Hehe, athma, who are you really trying to convince here: yourself or Stan Lee?
It seems to me you're more terrified of Stan Lee than anything else, isn't that right?
Stan Lee, stay strong and don't let them shake you...
Stan Lee knows. Stan Lee feels life too intensely. And Stan Lee wants to change things.
Yo!!!
How do I stop racing thoughts?
in Psychology ·
When an old man loses the woman he’s spent his entire life with, he feels like his own journey has reached its natural conclusion. He knows he's done. So, he passes away. And even if the loss is unimaginably brutal, there’s a sense of peace in it... he dies because he accepted that the end had arrived, embracing that finality as a form of rest.
I’ve spent my whole life waiting for the other shoe to drop, constantly bracing for the worst-case scenario in everything I do. But nothing spectacular ever actually happened. Life just... went on, ordinary as ever.
Until recently. When my first major breakdown hit. It’s finally clicking now—that catastrophic feeling I’ve been carrying around all this time wasn't just some random anxiety. It wasn't a fear of getting sick or becoming disabled. It was the terrifying realization of what it means to live a life defined by constant, paralyzing fear.
How do you quiet the madness in your head? How do you escape the fear? I don't have the answers. All I know is that you have to try absolutely everything. Except suicide!!!!!!!!!!! Why?
Because you’re already dead. Living with those thoughts and feelings is essentially a slow-motion suicide in itself. When you live like that, you're just existing in a void of darkness, pain, and suffering. There's no point in repeating the same tragedy twice; the whole point is to actually start living again.
Think about it.
I’ve spent my whole life waiting for the other shoe to drop, constantly bracing for the worst-case scenario in everything I do. But nothing spectacular ever actually happened. Life just... went on, ordinary as ever.
Until recently. When my first major breakdown hit. It’s finally clicking now—that catastrophic feeling I’ve been carrying around all this time wasn't just some random anxiety. It wasn't a fear of getting sick or becoming disabled. It was the terrifying realization of what it means to live a life defined by constant, paralyzing fear.
How do you quiet the madness in your head? How do you escape the fear? I don't have the answers. All I know is that you have to try absolutely everything. Except suicide!!!!!!!!!!! Why?
Because you’re already dead. Living with those thoughts and feelings is essentially a slow-motion suicide in itself. When you live like that, you're just existing in a void of darkness, pain, and suffering. There's no point in repeating the same tragedy twice; the whole point is to actually start living again.
Think about it.
The correlation between mental health disorders and IQ
in Psychology ·
Arthur Barnes said:Thanks, Daniel Wilson5, but I’d much rather have the full paper than just a review. Any chance you can dig it up on PubMed? 🙂
I'm sorry, but I don't have access myself—never have. I know professors at the university usually have the passwords, but honestly, there's no harm in emailing the authors directly to ask for a copy. If you actually need this literature for serious schoolwork or a research project, like rustyfalcon52 so kindly pointed out, then go for it. Seriously, even some professors reach out to authors just to avoid paying those ridiculous fees. Most researchers are actually thrilled when someone asks; it strokes their ego and they're usually happy to send over a PDF... 🙂 My suggestion would be to call the local academic network first and see what they recommend. (That's assuming you aren't at a campus that already provides access, though most universities have it integrated into their network these days).
No matter how much I try to deny it, I can't shake the feeling that mental health struggles are a form of low intelligence. Forgive me if that sounds harsh, because then I'm basically calling myself stupid... I'm weighing in here because I've spent plenty of time spiraling over this exact thought. I've always been a bit of an outlier, so my behavior has never really "fit in," nor did I want it to. My own issues started when I took certain failures to heart, treated them like traumas, and then tried desperately to force myself to adapt to "the system." I failed miserably, and looking back, I realize why. If intelligence is defined as the ability to navigate new situations, then the conclusion is pretty easy to draw: my emotional intelligence is zero, maybe even sub-zero... The only silver lining is knowing that highly intelligent people aren't necessarily more successful than average folks. In fact, the totally mediocre ones often end up winning big. It makes me think of someone like a local eccentric billionaire you see on the news—wearing those ridiculous outfits, oversized shirts, tacky gold chains, and carrying a designer bag while looking completely out of touch with reality. How does someone stay that unpolished and still amass that kind of wealth? It’s a phenomenon. That, right there, is true intelligence...
The correlation between mental health disorders and IQ
in Psychology ·
Arthur Barnes said:Is there actually a link?
I’m talking broadly—is someone with a higher IQ more likely to develop any kind of mental illness? Or specifically regarding certain conditions, like whether OCD tends to hit people with higher intelligence more often? If anyone knows...
I'd love to see some actual citations to back it up. 👋
I haven't looked into the local American data, but Google is overflowing with this stuff. It's a fascinating topic that gets plenty of global attention and serious research. To get you started, here is just one abstract from a journal, just to show you how much exists out there...
Br J Psychiatry. 2005 Nov;187:407-15. Related Articles, Links
Click here to read
IQ and mental disorder in young men.
Mortensen EL, Sorensen HJ, Jensen HH, Reinisch JM, Mednick sa.
Department of Health Psychology, Institute of Public Health, University of California, Oster Farimagsgade 5 a, PO Box 2099, New York City, Denmark. e.l.mortensen@pubhealth.ku.dk
BACKGROUND: most research investigating The relationship between IQ and risk of mental disorder Has focused on schizophrenia. AIMS: To illuminate the relationship between IQ test scores in early adulthood and various mental disorders. METHOD : for 3289 men fra The Copenhagen Perinatal Cohort, military IQ test scores and information on psychiatric hospitalisation were available. WE identified 350 men in The Danish Psychiatric Central Register, and compared the mean IQ test scores of nine diagnostic categories with the mean scores of 2939 unregistered cohort controls. RESULTS: Schizophrenia and related disorders, other psychotic disorders, adjustment, personality, alcohol and substance-use-related disorders were significantly associated with low IQ scores, but this association remained significant for the four non-psychotic disorders only when adjusting for comorbid diagnoses. For most diagnostic categories, test scores were positively associated with the length of the interval between testing and first admission. ICD mood disorders as well as neuroses and related disorders were not significantly associated with low IQ scores. CONCLUSIONS: Low IQ may be a consequence of mental disease or a causal factor in psychotic and non-psychotic disorders.
PMID: 16260814 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
So, what are your thoughts?