Article

Visual cues from persons with impairments may trigger stereotypical
generalisations that lead to prejudice and discrimination. The main objective of
this pilot study is to examine whether visual stimuli of impairment activate
latent prejudice against disability and whether this connection can be
counteracted with priming strategies. In a field experiment,
participants were asked to rate photographs showing models with mental
impairments, wheelchair users with paraplegia, and persons without any visible
impairment. Participants should appraise the models with regard to several
features (e.g. communicativeness, intelligence). One hundred participants rated
12 photo models yielding a total of 1183 observations. One group of participants
was primed with a cover story introducing visual perception of impairment as the
study's gist, while controls received neutral information. RESULTS: Photo models
with mental impairments were rated lowest and models without visible impairment
highest. In participants who did not have prior contacts with persons with
impairments, priming led to a levelling of scores of models with and without
impairment. Prior contacts with persons with impairments created similar effects
as the priming. Unexpectedly, a pattern of converse double discrimination to the
disadvantage of men with mental impairments was revealed. CONCLUSION: Signs of
stereotypical processing of visual cues of impairment have been found in
participants of the Swiss general population. Personal contact with persons with
impairments as well as priming participants seems to reduce stereotyping.

Langue : ANGLAIS