Interpersonal Behavior Moderates "Kindness Norm" Effects on Cognitive and Affective Reactions to Physical Disability

Subjects viewed a videotaped interview of a confederate who appeared to be either with or without a physical disability, and who enacted either depressed or socially appropriate roles. Subjects were also told either they could choose to meet the target, they had to meet the target immediately following the tape, or nothing in regards to meeting the target. Results indicated that subjects reported higher levels of negative mood when they expected to meet the target, and depressed targets elicited higher rates of negative cognitions regardless of the physical appearance of the target. Furthermore, consistent with predictions, confederates appearing disabled and depicting socially appropriate behavior elicited significantly higher rates of positive cognitions from subjects. Findings are integrated with past research of reactions to depression and disability.