How Generalized are the Public's Perceptions of a Prominent Political Figure Who is an Acknowledged Alcoholic?

Abstract

The patterns of intercorrelations on 15 semantic differential scales, calling for the rating of Representative Wilbur D. Mills as a person, and on 6 variables on an Attitude Toward Alcoholism Instrument were determined for five groups of subjects (n = 139) in order to investigate the specificity or globality of perceptions toward a nationally prominent self-acknowledged alcoholic individual. The results indicated that the degree of generality in ratings was dependent on the particular rating group employed. The 21 members of League of Women Voters disclosed the greatest degree of scale-specific judgments whereas the 22 female recovering alcoholics showed the most generalized judgments. These differences could be a function of the highly discerning problem-solving style of the League members and the defensive posture of the recovering alcoholics in dealing with a sensitive and emotionally laden area.

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