Do attitudes towards persons with handicaps really shift over time? Comparison between 1975 and 1988.
A replication of a study by Spreen (1977) was conducted to assess whether a positive shift in attitudes towards persons with mental retardation has occurred. Undergraduate students (N = 191) were tested. Results compared to those of Spreen (1977) showed a positive shift over the 13-year period. We also tested the hypothesis that exposure to a course on developmental disabilities and contact with individuals with mental retardation would improve students' attitudes. Findings support this hypothesis, although results suggest the influence of a third variable, namely, public awareness.
Rees
L M
LM
Department of Psychology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Spreen
O
O
Harnadek
M
M
D000328:Adult; D003688:Deinstitutionalization / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D011639:Public Opinion; D012922:Social Change; D012928:Social Desirability; D012931:Social Environment; D013240:Stereotyping