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A Critical Activist Orientation Predicts Lower Latent Anti-disability Bias
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  • Donnan Gravelle,
  • Jeremy E. Sawyer,
  • Gavin Rualo,
  • Patricia Brooks
Donnan Gravelle
College of Staten Island

Corresponding Author:cgravelle@gradcenter.cuny.edu

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Jeremy E. Sawyer
City University of New York
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Gavin Rualo
Staten Island Technical High School
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Patricia Brooks
College of Staten Island
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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Despite legal efforts to reduce societal barriers, people with disabilities still face anti-disability 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. METHODS: 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 anti-disability bias, critical activist orientation, experience with disability, and demographic characteristics. RESULTS: The relation between having a critical activist orientation and lower anti-disability bias was bidirectional, suggesting reciprocal influences between individual-level attitudes and participation in social movements. Aligning with intergroup contact theory, personal and familial experience with disability correlated with reduced anti-disability bias, and familial and work experience with having a critical activist orientation. Male gender correlated with increased anti-disability bias, and male gender, White race, and higher social class with lower endorsements of a critical activist orientation. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that disability experience and social status influence critical activist identity, which predicts lower bias.
03 May 2023Submitted to Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy
06 May 2023Submission Checks Completed
06 May 2023Assigned to Editor
12 May 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
08 Feb 20241st Revision Received
10 Feb 2024Submission Checks Completed
10 Feb 2024Assigned to Editor
27 Feb 20242nd Revision Received
29 Feb 2024Submission Checks Completed
29 Feb 2024Assigned to Editor
01 Mar 2024Editorial Decision: Accept