This article was downloaded by: [University of Sussex Library] On: 05 February 2015, At: 23:45 Publisher: Routledge Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK
The Journal of Social Psychology Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/vsoc20
Factors Affecting Attitudes toward Persons with AIDS L. Alan Witt
a
a
Department of Psychology , Western Illinois University , USA Published online: 01 Jul 2010.
To cite this article: L. Alan Witt (1990) Factors Affecting Attitudes toward Persons with AIDS, The Journal of Social Psychology, 130:1, 127-129, DOI: 10.1080/00224545.1990.9922945 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00224545.1990.9922945
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content.
Downloaded by [University of Sussex Library] at 23:45 05 February 2015
This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions
The Journal of Sociol Psychologv. ISql), 127-129
Downloaded by [University of Sussex Library] at 23:45 05 February 2015
Replications and Refinements Under this heading appear summaries of studies which, in 500 words or less, provide useful data substantiating, not substantiating, or refining what we think we know. Additional details concerning the results can be obtained by communicating directly with the investigator or, when indicated, by requesting supplementary material from Microfiche Publications.
Factors Affecting Attitudes Toward Persons With AIDS L. ALAN WITT Department of Psychology Western Illinois University
CONTRARY to an assumption held by many AIDS researchers (e.g., Burnette, Redmon, & Poling, 1988; DiClemente, Zom, & Temoshok, 1987), evidence has indicated that a chief antecedent of negative affect toward persons with AIDS may not be a lack of knowledge of AIDS but rather individual predispositions such as homophobia (O’Donnell, O’Donnell, Pleck, Snarey, & Rose, 1987), attitudes toward homosexuals (Triplet & Sugarman, 1987), and authoritarianism (witt, 1989). The present study w , a designed to replicate Witt’s finding and expand the dispositional approach of investigating attitudes toward persons with AIDS. Consistent with the locus of control and just world literatures (Feinberg, Powell, & Miller, 1982; Lerner, 1974; Lerner & Miller, 1978; Phares & Wilson, 1972; Weiner, 1976), it was hypothesized that those who are internally ~~
~~~
An qmnded versbn of this article was presented at the Midwest Confewnce on the Social Implications of AIDS, Normal, IL. I gratefully acknowledge Bem Allen for comments on earlkr versions of this article. Requests for reprints should be sent to L.A. Witt, Department of Psychology, Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL 61455. 121
Downloaded by [University of Sussex Library] at 23:45 05 February 2015
128
The Journal of Social Psychologv
oriented and who believe in a just world are more likely to hold prejudice against persons with AIDS, because they may perceive them as having brought it on themselves. Following Pryor (1988), it was hypothesized that people who are more fearful of contracting AIDS and who perceive themselves as more likely to contract AIDS would have less negative affect toward persons with AIDS, because they may be less likely to perceive AIDS as a disease of others. Although knowledge of AIDS may not be directly related to affect toward persons with AIDS, it may moderate the relationship between dispositions and affect (Witt, 1989). It was hypothesized that both perceived likelihood and fear of contracting AIDS would moderate the authoritarianismaffect relationship. Authoritarianism was expected to account for greater variance in affect toward persons with AIDS among students fearing AIDS and perceiving a greater likelihood of contracting AIDS, because they would be less likely to perceive AIDS as the disease of an outgroup. Seventy male and 66 female undergraduate students completed a survey including the Ray (1972) balanced F scale, the Rubin and Peplau (1975) Just World Scale, the Rotter (1966) I-E scale, revised versions of the Witt (1989) Knowledge of AIDS questionnaire (KAQ) and the Affect Toward Persons with AIDS Survey (ATPAS), one item measuring expectancy of contracting AIDS, “I am not the kind of person who is likely to get AIDS,” and two items measuring fear of contracting AIDS: “I am afraid of getting AIDS” and “I am not womed about getting AIDS.” The correlations between ATPAS scores and the other scale scores were as follows: KAQ, r = - .11, ns; F Scale, r = .45, p < .001; I-E scale, r = - .13, ns; Just World Scale, r = - .03, ns; fear of contracting AIDS, r = - .02,ns; and expectancy of contracting AIDS, r = - .06, m. To determine whether fear moderated the authoritarianism-affect relationship, fear scores were split on the median and correlations of F Scale scores with ATPAS scores were computed among students in the high-fear and low-fear groups and compared by Fisher Z transformation. Although authoritarianism accounted for less variance in affect among students high in fear, r = .34, p c .001, than low in fear, r = .56, p < .001, the difference was not statistically significant, Z = 1.58, ns. Similar analyses were run on expectancy scores; the difference was slight: low expectancy, r = .46,p < .001, and high expectancy, r = .44,p < .001. Thus, neither expectancy nor fear of contracting AIDS moderated the authoritarianism-affect relationship. Although limited by the student sample, the present data suggest that unlike attitudes toward persons experiencing other negative circumstances (e.g., poverty), affect toward persons with AIDS may be unrelated to a perception of self-efficacy in manipulating one’s environment to bring about deserved rewards. Rather, it may be a function of the individual’s perception of persons with AIDS as outgroup members, i.e., a function of authoritarianism.
Witt
129
Downloaded by [University of Sussex Library] at 23:45 05 February 2015
REFJ3RENCES Burnette, M. M., Redmon, W. K., & Poling, A. (1988, October). Knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of Midwestern undergraduates regarding Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Paper presented at the Midwest Conference on the social Implications of AIDS, Normal, IL. DiClemente, R. J., Zorn,J., & Temoshok, L. (1987). The association of gender, ethnicity, and length of residence in the Bay area to adolescents’ knowledge and attitudes about Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 17, 216-230. Feinberg, R. A., Powell, A., & Miller, F. G. (1982). Control and belief in the just world: What’s good also can be bad. Social Behavior and Personality, 10, 57-61. Lerner, M.J. (1974). The desire for justice and reactions to victims. In J. McCaulay & L. Berkowitz (Eds.), Altruism and helping behaviors. New York: Academic Press. Lemer, M. J., & Miller. D. T. (1978). Just world research and the attribution process: Looking back and ahead. Psychological Bulletin, 85, 1030-1051. O’Donnell, L., O’Donnell, C. R., Pleck, J. H., Snarey. J.. & Rose, R. M. (1987). Psychosocial responses of hospital workers to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 17, 269-285. Phares, E. J., &Wilson, K. G. (1972). Responsibility attribution: Role of outcome severity, situational ambiguity, and internalexternal control. Journal of Personality, 40,392-406.
Pryor, J. (1988, October). Attitudes towardpersons with AIDS: A mixture of fear and loathing. Presented at the Midwest Conference on the Social Implications of AIDS, Normal, IL. Ray, J. J. (1972). A new balanced “F” scale and its relation to social class. Australian PSyChOlOgist, 7, 155-166. Rotter, J. B. (1966). Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement. Psychological Monographs, BO(Whole No. 609). Rubin, Z., & Peplau, L. A. (1975). Who believes in a just world? Journalof SocialIsSU~S.31,
65-89.
Triplet, R. G . , & Sugarman, D. B. (1987). Reactions to AIDS victims: Ambiguity breeds contempt. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 13, 265-274. Weiner, F. (1976). Altruism, ambience, and action: The effects of rural and urban rearing on helping behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 34, 112-124.
Witt, L. A. (1989). Authoritarianism, knowledge of AIDS, and affect toward persons with AIDS: Implications for health education. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 19, 599-607.
Received January 16, 1989
The Journal of Social Psychology Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/vsoc20
Factors Affecting Attitudes toward Persons with AIDS L. Alan Witt
a
a
Department of Psychology , Western Illinois University , USA Published online: 01 Jul 2010.
To cite this article: L. Alan Witt (1990) Factors Affecting Attitudes toward Persons with AIDS, The Journal of Social Psychology, 130:1, 127-129, DOI: 10.1080/00224545.1990.9922945 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00224545.1990.9922945
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content.
Downloaded by [University of Sussex Library] at 23:45 05 February 2015
This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions
The Journal of Sociol Psychologv. ISql), 127-129
Downloaded by [University of Sussex Library] at 23:45 05 February 2015
Replications and Refinements Under this heading appear summaries of studies which, in 500 words or less, provide useful data substantiating, not substantiating, or refining what we think we know. Additional details concerning the results can be obtained by communicating directly with the investigator or, when indicated, by requesting supplementary material from Microfiche Publications.
Factors Affecting Attitudes Toward Persons With AIDS L. ALAN WITT Department of Psychology Western Illinois University
CONTRARY to an assumption held by many AIDS researchers (e.g., Burnette, Redmon, & Poling, 1988; DiClemente, Zom, & Temoshok, 1987), evidence has indicated that a chief antecedent of negative affect toward persons with AIDS may not be a lack of knowledge of AIDS but rather individual predispositions such as homophobia (O’Donnell, O’Donnell, Pleck, Snarey, & Rose, 1987), attitudes toward homosexuals (Triplet & Sugarman, 1987), and authoritarianism (witt, 1989). The present study w , a designed to replicate Witt’s finding and expand the dispositional approach of investigating attitudes toward persons with AIDS. Consistent with the locus of control and just world literatures (Feinberg, Powell, & Miller, 1982; Lerner, 1974; Lerner & Miller, 1978; Phares & Wilson, 1972; Weiner, 1976), it was hypothesized that those who are internally ~~
~~~
An qmnded versbn of this article was presented at the Midwest Confewnce on the Social Implications of AIDS, Normal, IL. I gratefully acknowledge Bem Allen for comments on earlkr versions of this article. Requests for reprints should be sent to L.A. Witt, Department of Psychology, Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL 61455. 121
Downloaded by [University of Sussex Library] at 23:45 05 February 2015
128
The Journal of Social Psychologv
oriented and who believe in a just world are more likely to hold prejudice against persons with AIDS, because they may perceive them as having brought it on themselves. Following Pryor (1988), it was hypothesized that people who are more fearful of contracting AIDS and who perceive themselves as more likely to contract AIDS would have less negative affect toward persons with AIDS, because they may be less likely to perceive AIDS as a disease of others. Although knowledge of AIDS may not be directly related to affect toward persons with AIDS, it may moderate the relationship between dispositions and affect (Witt, 1989). It was hypothesized that both perceived likelihood and fear of contracting AIDS would moderate the authoritarianismaffect relationship. Authoritarianism was expected to account for greater variance in affect toward persons with AIDS among students fearing AIDS and perceiving a greater likelihood of contracting AIDS, because they would be less likely to perceive AIDS as the disease of an outgroup. Seventy male and 66 female undergraduate students completed a survey including the Ray (1972) balanced F scale, the Rubin and Peplau (1975) Just World Scale, the Rotter (1966) I-E scale, revised versions of the Witt (1989) Knowledge of AIDS questionnaire (KAQ) and the Affect Toward Persons with AIDS Survey (ATPAS), one item measuring expectancy of contracting AIDS, “I am not the kind of person who is likely to get AIDS,” and two items measuring fear of contracting AIDS: “I am afraid of getting AIDS” and “I am not womed about getting AIDS.” The correlations between ATPAS scores and the other scale scores were as follows: KAQ, r = - .11, ns; F Scale, r = .45, p < .001; I-E scale, r = - .13, ns; Just World Scale, r = - .03, ns; fear of contracting AIDS, r = - .02,ns; and expectancy of contracting AIDS, r = - .06, m. To determine whether fear moderated the authoritarianism-affect relationship, fear scores were split on the median and correlations of F Scale scores with ATPAS scores were computed among students in the high-fear and low-fear groups and compared by Fisher Z transformation. Although authoritarianism accounted for less variance in affect among students high in fear, r = .34, p c .001, than low in fear, r = .56, p < .001, the difference was not statistically significant, Z = 1.58, ns. Similar analyses were run on expectancy scores; the difference was slight: low expectancy, r = .46,p < .001, and high expectancy, r = .44,p < .001. Thus, neither expectancy nor fear of contracting AIDS moderated the authoritarianism-affect relationship. Although limited by the student sample, the present data suggest that unlike attitudes toward persons experiencing other negative circumstances (e.g., poverty), affect toward persons with AIDS may be unrelated to a perception of self-efficacy in manipulating one’s environment to bring about deserved rewards. Rather, it may be a function of the individual’s perception of persons with AIDS as outgroup members, i.e., a function of authoritarianism.
Witt
129
Downloaded by [University of Sussex Library] at 23:45 05 February 2015
REFJ3RENCES Burnette, M. M., Redmon, W. K., & Poling, A. (1988, October). Knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of Midwestern undergraduates regarding Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Paper presented at the Midwest Conference on the social Implications of AIDS, Normal, IL. DiClemente, R. J., Zorn,J., & Temoshok, L. (1987). The association of gender, ethnicity, and length of residence in the Bay area to adolescents’ knowledge and attitudes about Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 17, 216-230. Feinberg, R. A., Powell, A., & Miller, F. G. (1982). Control and belief in the just world: What’s good also can be bad. Social Behavior and Personality, 10, 57-61. Lerner, M.J. (1974). The desire for justice and reactions to victims. In J. McCaulay & L. Berkowitz (Eds.), Altruism and helping behaviors. New York: Academic Press. Lemer, M. J., & Miller. D. T. (1978). Just world research and the attribution process: Looking back and ahead. Psychological Bulletin, 85, 1030-1051. O’Donnell, L., O’Donnell, C. R., Pleck, J. H., Snarey. J.. & Rose, R. M. (1987). Psychosocial responses of hospital workers to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 17, 269-285. Phares, E. J., &Wilson, K. G. (1972). Responsibility attribution: Role of outcome severity, situational ambiguity, and internalexternal control. Journal of Personality, 40,392-406.
Pryor, J. (1988, October). Attitudes towardpersons with AIDS: A mixture of fear and loathing. Presented at the Midwest Conference on the Social Implications of AIDS, Normal, IL. Ray, J. J. (1972). A new balanced “F” scale and its relation to social class. Australian PSyChOlOgist, 7, 155-166. Rotter, J. B. (1966). Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement. Psychological Monographs, BO(Whole No. 609). Rubin, Z., & Peplau, L. A. (1975). Who believes in a just world? Journalof SocialIsSU~S.31,
65-89.
Triplet, R. G . , & Sugarman, D. B. (1987). Reactions to AIDS victims: Ambiguity breeds contempt. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 13, 265-274. Weiner, F. (1976). Altruism, ambience, and action: The effects of rural and urban rearing on helping behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 34, 112-124.
Witt, L. A. (1989). Authoritarianism, knowledge of AIDS, and affect toward persons with AIDS: Implications for health education. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 19, 599-607.
Received January 16, 1989
