A critical activist orientation predicts lower latent ableist bias

Bibliographic Data

ID21739587
AuthorsC Donnan Gravelle (0000-0003-2419-894X, The Graduate Center, CUNY, corresponding author), Jeremy Sawyer (0000-0002-1251-7352, Kingsborough Community College), Gavin Rualo (Binghamton University), Patricia J Brooks (0000-0001-8030-8811, The Graduate Center, CUNY)
Year2024
Volume24
Issue3
Pages1032-1056
Publication date2024-12-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAnalyses of Social Issues and Public Policy (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1529-7489 • E-ISSN: 1530-2415
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/asap.12396
OpenAlexW4393036681
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited76

Despite legal efforts to reduce societal barriers, people with disabilities still face ableist bias, stereotyping, and stigma. According to the social movement hypothesis, people's participation in and identification with activist movements may reduce bias towards social outgroups. Alternatively, people's intergroup attitudes and bias may influence their participation in activist activities. This study used structural equation modeling to investigate whether reduced bias towards people with disabilities is associated with critical activism and/or personal, familial, or work experience with disability. Undergraduates ( N = 497) completed an online survey including measures of ableist bias, critical activist orientation, experience with disability, and demographic characteristics. The relation between having a critical activist orientation and lower ableist bias was bidirectional, suggesting reciprocal influences between individual‐level attitudes and participation in progressive social movements. Aligning with intergroup contact theory, personal (lived) and familial experience with disability correlated with reduced ableist bias, and familial and work experience with having a critical activist orientation. Male gender correlated with increased ableist bias, and male gender, White race, and higher social class with lower endorsements of a critical activist orientation. The results suggest that disability experience and social status influence critical activist identity, which predicts lower bias

Ableism · Disability studies · Social group · Social identity theory · Sociology · Disability Education and Employment · Gender Diversity and Inequality · Gender Studies · Inclusion and Disability in Education and Sport · Psychology · Social Psychology

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