Implicit bias towards people with disability in Australia: Relationship with personal values
Share Implicit bias towards people with disability in Australia: Relationship with personal values on FacebookShare Implicit bias towards people with disability in Australia: Relationship with personal values on TwitterShare Implicit bias towards people with disability in Australia: Relationship with personal values on LinkedinEmail Implicit bias towards people with disability in Australia: Relationship with personal values link
First published online 26 May 2025.
Why this study was done
Researchers wanted to find out whether people living in Australia have hidden (unconscious) negative attitudes toward people with disability, and how these attitudes might be linked to people’s personal values.
What the study did
The researchers asked 146 adults in Australia to complete an online questionnaire that measured:
their personal values (what they believe is important in life), and
their unconscious attitudes about people with disability, using two psychological tests that look for hidden stereotypes.
What the study found
The study found that most participants showed moderate levels of unconscious negative bias toward people with disability, meaning many people unknowingly associated disability with ideas like being less competent (capable) or cold (unfriendly).
However, people who scored higher on values linked to caring about all people and tolerance tended to have less of these negative unconscious biases. People who scored higher on values linked to security and social order showed more negative bias.
What this means
The researchers suggest that personal values like caring for others and tolerance might help reduce unconscious negative attitudes toward people with disability. They also note that understanding these hidden biases could help design training and reflection tools for professionals (for example, in healthcare or employment) to make decision-making fairer.
This study was conducted by:
Dr Christine Antonopoulos, Dr Nicole Sugden and Dr Anthony Saliba.
For other accessible formats, please see the column to the right.
Disclaimer: The QDRN has utilised generative AI to refine the wording of this plain language summary. All content has been checked for accuracy, appropriate tone, and clarity, and approved by the author.
First published online 26 May 2025.
Why this study was done
Researchers wanted to find out whether people living in Australia have hidden (unconscious) negative attitudes toward people with disability, and how these attitudes might be linked to people’s personal values.
What the study did
The researchers asked 146 adults in Australia to complete an online questionnaire that measured:
their personal values (what they believe is important in life), and
their unconscious attitudes about people with disability, using two psychological tests that look for hidden stereotypes.
What the study found
The study found that most participants showed moderate levels of unconscious negative bias toward people with disability, meaning many people unknowingly associated disability with ideas like being less competent (capable) or cold (unfriendly).
However, people who scored higher on values linked to caring about all people and tolerance tended to have less of these negative unconscious biases. People who scored higher on values linked to security and social order showed more negative bias.
What this means
The researchers suggest that personal values like caring for others and tolerance might help reduce unconscious negative attitudes toward people with disability. They also note that understanding these hidden biases could help design training and reflection tools for professionals (for example, in healthcare or employment) to make decision-making fairer.
This study was conducted by:
Dr Christine Antonopoulos, Dr Nicole Sugden and Dr Anthony Saliba.
For other accessible formats, please see the column to the right.
Disclaimer: The QDRN has utilised generative AI to refine the wording of this plain language summary. All content has been checked for accuracy, appropriate tone, and clarity, and approved by the author.
