Values: A Cultural Construction Associated with Prejudice Toward Gypsies, Immigrants, and the Handicapped
Author(s)
Gomez-Berrocal, Carmen; Ruiz Romero, Josefa
Abstract
The author studied features of prejudice toward gypsies, immigrants, and handicapped persons in 297 male and female secondary school children (aged 15-23 yrs) in Spain. Data on sociodemographic variables, ingroup and outgroup value hierarchies, and perceived value similarities were obtained by questionnaire. The Schwartz Value Survey (Spanish translation by M. Ros and H. Grad, 1991) and the Outgroup Prejudice Scale (J. McConahay, 1986) were used. The results were evaluated according to ingroup and outgroup value indices for hedonism, success, power, self-direction, stimulation, universalism, benevolence, conformity, tradition, and security. Social comparison indices were determined. The results show that most prejudice is directed toward gypsies followed by immigrants and then by handicapped persons, that perception of similarities of ingroup and outgroup vales hierarchies is more predictive of prejudice vs gypsies than vs immigrants or handicapped persons. The results also indicate that prejudice stems from representation of social categories and comparisons among social groups.
