[Prejudices and negative attitudes towards the disabled--their origin and methods of elimination (author's transl)]

Based on the fact that prejudices and negative attitudes towards the disabled are not only common to our culture, but a worldwide problem, the following article studies their genesis from the point of view of behavioural science and biology. Dispositions of the mind transmitted by society can only be considered as one causative factor amongst many for these undesirable prejudices and attitudes. It is shown that human inborn inclination for a specific reaction towards marginal groups and the equally inborn fear-reaction towards strangers are also contributing factors to the formation of prejudices. This theory is supported by findings of the animal behavioural science and comparative human ethology. As inborn prejudices can be influenced by education and need not be put down to fate, two suggestions are made concerning the elimination of negative attitudes, e.g. (1) to make man aware of the fact that as a cultural being his inborn negative reaction towards marginal groups is inappropriate. As a consequence, this reaction must be transformed both culturally and ethically, (2) to eliminate the fear-reaction towards strangers, amongst other things, through integrated education.