Are prejudices against disabled persons determined by personality characteristics? Reviewing a theoretical approach on the basis of empirical research findings

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Abstract
Many authors believe that the quality of attitudes toward disabled persons is influenced by the personality structure of the nondisabled. To verify this assumption, a secondary analysis of 67 empirical studies was undertaken. These studies referred to different personality variables such as authoritarianism, ethnocentrism, dogmatism, rigidity, intolerance of ambiguity, cognitive simplicity, anxiety, ego-weakness, self-concept, body-concept, aggressiveness, empathy and intelligence. Statistical criteria show that single personality traits have relatively little influence on the attitudes toward disabled persons. An adequate evaluation of the research findings is complicated by, at times, considerable methodological problems which arise when applying the proper test instruments to non-clinical populations. Marked correlations are to be found in particular in the case of authoritarianism, ethnocentrism, intolerance of ambiguity, anxiety and ego-weakness. The intercorrelations between most of the personality variables are rather high, which by cumulation of extreme factors may, in fact, sometimes result in particularly unfavorable attitudes toward the disabled. Personality-related research findings do provide certain valuable explanations. Special attention should be devoted to the multiple connections between personality structure and social structure.

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