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Do attitudes towards persons with handicaps really shift over time? Comparison between 1975 and 1988.
L M Rees1, O Spreen, M Harnadek
1Department of Psychology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Mental Retardation
|April 1, 1991
Summary
Attitudes toward individuals with mental retardation have improved over 13 years. Education and contact with individuals with developmental disabilities positively influence these attitudes, with public awareness also playing a role.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Disability Studies
Background:
- Attitudes toward individuals with mental retardation have historically been negative.
- Previous research by Spreen (1977) established a baseline for these attitudes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To replicate Spreen's (1977) study to assess changes in attitudes towards individuals with mental retardation over a 13-year period.
- To investigate the impact of education and personal contact on student attitudes.
Main Methods:
- A replication study involving 191 undergraduate students.
- Comparison of current attitudes with data from Spreen's (1977) study.
- Analysis of the influence of a developmental disabilities course and intergroup contact.
Main Results:
- A significant positive shift in attitudes towards individuals with mental retardation was observed over the 13-year period.
- Exposure to a developmental disabilities course and contact with individuals with mental retardation were associated with improved attitudes.
- Public awareness emerged as a potential confounding variable influencing attitude changes.
Conclusions:
- Attitudes towards individuals with mental retardation have improved significantly.
- Educational interventions and direct contact are effective in fostering positive attitudes.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the role of public awareness in shaping attitudes.