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Community attitudes toward individuals with traumatic brain injury

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 May 2010

T. McLELLAN ,
A. BISHOP  and
A. McKINLAY
T. McLELLAN
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
A. BISHOP
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
A. McKINLAY*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
*
*Correspondence and reprint requests to: Audrey McKinlay, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand. E-mail: audrey.mckinlay@canterbury.ac.nz
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Abstract

Explicit and implicit attitudes toward people who have sustained traumatic brain injury (TBI) were investigated to determine if negative attitudes exist and if the terminology used (brain vs. head injury) exacerbated predicted negativity. Participants (n = 103) rated Tony (brain/head injury) and Peter (limb-injury) on 10 characteristics using a 7-point scale. Familiarity with brain injury was also measured. Implicit Association Tests (IAT) assessed potential negative bias. Tony (M = 36.84) was judged more negatively than Peter (M = 31.69). The term “brain” versus “head” injury resulted in more negative evaluations (Ms = 38.72 vs. 34.78). Participants familiar with TBI were more positive toward Tony than those unfamiliar (Ms = 34.98 vs. 39.80). Only those unfamiliar with TBI demonstrated implicit negative bias. Negative attitudes toward TBI are expressed explicitly with individuals openly endorsing less desirable characteristics. When people have more knowledge about or experience with brain injury, they are less likely to endorse negative stereotypes. (JINS, 2010, 16, 705–710.)

Keywords

TBIHead injuryBrain injuriesPublic attitudesStigmatizationStereotypeSocial Discrimination
Type
Research Articles
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 16 , Issue 4 , July 2010 , pp. 705 - 710
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 2010

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