Some thoughts on individuals’ reactions to the disabled are presented. Movement toward a model that encompasses psychodynamic, environmental, as well as physiological factors, is suggested. Evaluation of reactions to the disabled is also discussed, with an example of a current study employing the Psychological Stress Evaluator to measure stress in relation to 11 disabilities, including blindness. Stress reactions were found to vary between individuals, and certain disabilities elicited stress more often than others. Rating of disabilities according to relative desirability was not always congruent with the degree of stress elicited. Results and suggestions for further studies are discussed.
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