No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

A study of interactions between physically disabled persons and physically normal persons was conducted to explore the behavioral output of the disabled persons in such interactions. The study employed an interviewlike situation in which a confederate served as either a physically disabled or a physically normal interviewer, while all subjects were physically disabled. Using a modified procedure of previous studies where it was found that physically normal persons contribute nonverbal cues of "discomfort" to normal-handicapped interactions, it was found in this study that the physically disabled persons also contribute cues of "discomfort" in such interactions. Consistent with expectations, physically handicapped subjects interacting with a physically normal interviewer, as compared to subjects interacting with a physically disabled interviewer, (a) terminated the interactions sooner, (.6) showed greater motoric inhibitions, (c) exhibited less smiling behavior, (d) demonstrated less eye contact with the interviewer, and (e) admitted feeling less comfortable during the interaction. Contrary to expectations, the subjects maintained a greater physical distance in the interaction with the disabled interviewer and demonstrated generally less variability in their verbal output when speaking to him.

No abstract