Individual Differences Research

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Individual Differences Research > Volume 11, Issue 1 (2013) > 12-21

Motives to Respond Without Prejudice: Predictors of Greater Expressed Inclusiveness Toward Students with Disabilities by Pre-Service Teachers?

H. Michael Crowson, Joyce A. Brandes

Abstract

This study examined individual differences in motivations to respond without prejudice to students with disabilities. Internally motivated individuals respond without prejudice out of a desire to act in a manner that is consistent with deeply held non-prejudiced standards; whereas, externally motivated individuals are driven to respond without prejudice out of a desire to conform to perceived social normative pressures. Eighty-eight pre-service teachers completed scales measuring motivation to respond without prejudice and anti-inclusive attitudes. Internal motivation was a significant negative predictor, whereas external motivation was a significant positive predictor, of anti-inclusive attitudes. A trend in the data was consistent with Butz and Plant's (2009) assumption of an interaction between the two motivational factors and prejudice.