Schemata and Attitudes toward Persons with Intellectual Disability in Japan

Abstract

375 parents of pupils were asked to respond to 14 questions on attitudes toward persons with intellectual disability. About 30% of variance in attitude was explained by a set of variables. The effects of schemata concerning person with intellectual disability had a great effect on attitudes toward such persons. The guess of a greater contribution of heredity as the basis of intellectual disability and of fewer such persons in the future of their own families than in the general population was associated with greater negative attitudes toward persons with intellectual disability. As these estimations relate to teachable information, the attitudes might be improved.