Similarity as a factor effecting change in children's attitudes toward mentally retarded peers.

Abstract

How children's attitudes toward mentally retarded and nonretarded peers were affected by information highlighting the similarities and differences of those peers was assessed. Eighty fourth- through sixth-grade children viewed either a nonretarded, mildly retarded, or moderately retarded target child in two videotape vignettes. The first showed a target who was reading; the second, a target discussing interests. Children's attitudes and perceived similarity to the target were assessed. Results showed that children judged nonretarded peers more favorably than retarded peers, information about target peers' interests positively affected children's attitudes, children were able to see themselves as similar to retarded target peers, and children who saw themselves as similar to the target peer evaluated that peer more positively than children who did not perceive themselves as similar.