Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

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Thesis (UNI Access Only)

Abstract

In this study, I assessed the degree of stigma associated with the Deaf community. Five hundred and seventy-three Amazon workers and university students rated either a deaf, blind, or obese individual or a member of one’s home state on personality attributes, emotions elicited, evaluations, and social distance; I used open-ended items to examine what stereotypes would be associated with each group. This study showed that although the deaf are stigmatized; they may be less stigmatized than other groups. Deaf individuals were rated less positively than blind individuals and a member of one’s home state, while still being rated as more positively than obese individuals. Deaf individuals were rated as equally competent and dependable to a member of one’s home state and more competent and dependable than both blind individuals and obese individuals. Deaf individuals were rated as less sociable than a member of one’s home state, while also being rated as more sociable than blind individuals and obese individuals. Deaf individuals elicited more positive emotions than obese individuals, and more negative emotions than a member of one’s home state; deaf individuals and blind individuals elicited similar levels of positive emotions overall. Deaf individuals elicited less pity and less sadness than blind individuals and obese individuals; but when compared to a member of one’s home state deaf individuals elicit more feelings of pity and sadness. Participants were as comfortable with a deaf individual as a blind individual and an obese individual, and less comfortable with a deaf individual than a member of one’s home state. Participants who had more positive contact with deaf people reported more positive attitudes. These findings suggest that more instances of positive contact with stigmatized groups can help reduce one’s discomfort with other groups, such as the deaf.

Year of Submission

2019

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Department of Psychology

First Advisor

Helen C. Harton, Chair

Date Original

2019

Object Description

1 PDF file (ix, 74 pages)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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