Attitudes of social work students towards the intellectually handicapped

Abstract

The condition of intellectual handicap is described and ways the social work profession may be of help in the field discussed. A survey is made of the literature to determine the nature of attitudes towards the intellectually handicapped, particularly among the public and professionals, and how attitudes may be changed. A questionnaire was administered to social work students to determine the nature of their attitudes on five attitude types: personal reaction to the intellectually handicapped, professional reaction to the intellectually handicapped, the intellectually handicapped as part of the community, their rights, and a stereotype of them. Also ways in which the students' attitudes could be changed in a positive direction were investigated. Generally the students' attitudes were positive towards the intellectually handicapped and the practical experience of working with the intellectually handicapped appeared to be the most effective way of influencing attitudes positively.