Factors Affecting Behavior Toward People With Disabilities

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

12-1998

Abstract

Two field experiments were designed to explore ambivalence-induced behavior toward people with disabilities in low-cost helping situations. In Experiment 1, confederates, who either rode in a wheelchair or walked, asked shoppers for a small sum of money and either provided a reason (positive presentation) or did not provide a reason (negative presentation) for the request. Contrary to prediction, more people with a physical disability than without a physical disability were helped, regardless of their presentation. In Experiment 2, the presence of confederates in wheelchairs resulted in significantly fewer violations of parking spaces reserved for people with handicaps.

Comments

This research was supported in part by a University Research and Creativity Grant from Sacred Heart University.

DOI

10.1080/00224549809603262

PubMed ID

9872070


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