I Like You More if I Think You Like Me: The Effect of Metastereotypes on Attitudes Toward People With Deafness

ABSTRACT

In the present article we aimed at investigating the role of metastereotypes and gender on hearing people’s attitudes towards people with deafness. Ninety-six Italian hearing adults participated in a 2 × 2 experimental study. Participants were presented with the results of a fictitious but apparently real survey concerning the opinions people with deafness have of hearing people. Metastereotypes (positive vs. negative) were manipulated through this presentation. Results showed that metastereotypes interacted with participants’ gender in determining their attitudes towards people with deafness: when positive metastereotypes were activated, women’s attitudes appeared more favorable toward people with deafness if compared to the negative metastereotypes condition. No effect of metastereotypes was observed among male participants. In conclusion, the activation of metastereotypes can be a useful means in intervening to improve attitudes toward people with deafness.

Keywords:

• attitudes
• deaf
• disability
• gender
• metastereotypes

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Camilla Matera

Camilla Matera is a Researcher in Social Psychology at the Department of Education and Psychology, University of Florence (Italy).

Sara Dalla Verde

Sara Dalla Verde has an MA in Psychology from the School of Psychology, University of Florence (Italy).

Patrizia Meringolo

Patrizia Meringolo is a full Professor in Social and Community Psychology at the Department of Education and Psychology, University of Florence (Italy).