Recommendations for Implementing Anti-Ableism Across the Psychology Curriculum

Abstract

Introduction

As teachers of psychology, we have unique opportunities to promote anti-ableism in our classes.

Statement of the Problem

Disability is a relatively common experience. Unfortunately, so is ableism. While psychology courses often cover topics that can be used to promote anti-ableism, this is not often done.

Literature Review

I discuss literature on prejudice-reducing interventions (e.g., education, awareness of implicit bias, contact, and training in bias-reducing strategies) to support recommended teaching methods and aid in the creation of predictions that may be tested in future research.

Teaching Implications

Based on my experience teaching a range of undergraduate psychology courses, and my own experience as a disabled person, I offer recommendations to engage students in anti-ableism across a variety of courses (e.g., Social Psychology, Introduction to Psychology, and Biopsychology).

Conclusion

Topics that many psychology courses already include can be adapted, with an awareness of the literature on prejudice reduction, to promote anti-ableism and further research on such teaching methods.