Assessing community attitudes toward mentally retarded persons

Although many researchers have found evidence of discrimination toward retarded individuals in employment, education, and housing, attitude-survey researchers generally report acceptance of retarded people in the community (Gallup, 1976; Gottwald, 1967). To examine this discrepancy, we compared responses on a survey concerning retarded people of a "threat" group, who lived near a house for sale that was described as "having the necessary characteristics" for a potential group home, and a "nonthreat" control group. Analysis between and across groups yielded differences that have implications for public education efforts and the validity of the survey method for research on mental retardation.