Indices of employer prejudice toward disabled applicants

Abstract

A scale to measure prejudice toward disabled applicants for employment, based upon the multifactor stimuli method of Triandis, was developed. The scale was used with 2 samples, a group of 18 personnel directors and a group of 87 school administrators, who rated applicants for the position of accountant and 3rd grade school teacher. 6 types of disability, as well as absence of disability were included in the scale. All disabled groups were subject to expressed prejudice. The disabilities could be ranked in terms of the amount of prejudice expressed toward them. Competence and sociability were also influential in ratings, the former being more significant and complementary with disability. The method can be used to measure prejudice of various groups toward disabilities in various settings. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)