Social Acceptability of Anomalous Persons

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the acceptability of different anomalous or disabled persons in certain social situations. A group of 94 subjects composed of college undergraduates, graduate students, and psychiatric technicians ranked 10 anomalies with respect to desirability in a friend and as a self affliction. They also filled out a social distance questionnaire. Results suggested that six dimensions probably combine and interact in the formation of stereotypes of anomalous persons-visibility, communication, social stigma, reversability, degree of incapacity, and difficulty in daily living.