Title

Attentional focus and attitudes toward peers with disabilities: Self focusing and a comparison of modeling and self-disclosure.

Abstract

Tested aspects of the Attentional Mechanisms Model of Interaction Strain by examining correlates of dispositionally self-focused attention (self-consciousness) and by comparing 2 filmed interventions: 1 of which modeled appropriate behaviors when encountering someone who is blind (symbolic modeling of skills), while the other featured a blind man during everyday activities (self-disclosure). Results from a sample of 255 non-disabled college students indicate that self-focused attention is related to negative outcomes, and that both the modeling and the self-disclosure films had beneficial effects on thoughts, feelings, self-efficacy beliefs, and attitudes when compared to no intervention. While symbolic modeling was expected to result in more favorable outcomes, self-disclosure generally produced superior results. Implications for research, skills training, and attitude change are discussed. ((c) 1999 APA/PsycINFO, all rights reserved).

Authors

Fichten, Catherine S.; Lennox, Harriet; Robillard, Kristen; Wright, John; Sabourin, Stephane

Source

Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling. 1996 Win Vol 27(4) pp. 30-39.