Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Andrew White, MA¹, Dawn Salgado, MA², Jasmine Mena, MA¹, and Kristen J. Quinlan³. (1) Clinical Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Chafee Building, Kingston, RI 02881, 401 946 2264, andrew_white@mindspring.com, (2) Experimental Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Chafee Building, Kingston, RI 02881, (3) Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, 10 Chafee Road, Suite 8, Kingston, RI 02881

Poverty issues have been relatively neglected in the empirical literature, especially with regard to attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs about individuals who are homeless and poor. Using a sample of 436 undergraduates, the current study examines the extent to which stereotypic beliefs about the homeless, general social attitudes, and exposure to the homeless differentially affects beliefs, attitudes, and behavioral intentions towards this population. Consistent with previous research, respondent characteristics (e.g., ethnicity and political affiliation) were related to more positive attitudes toward the homeless. Respondents who supported more global issues of racial equality and who held fewer stereotypic beliefs about the homeless were more likely to support homeless issues. Prior exposure to individuals who are homeless was not a significant predictor of attitudes toward homelessness, once more global attitudes toward multiculturalism were taken into account.

Learning Objectives: