Abstract

Having a stigmatized disability is a depleting experience. For those with a disability, there are many factors that contribute to potential performance decrements in any given situation. Visibility of the disability, and the stigma connected to the disability are two such factors—which I argue based on research on motivation, regulation, and stress, contributes to the regulatory depletion experienced by disabled individuals. I conducted an experimental study where participants took part in a workplace simulation. Participants were given an artificially simulated disability and both the visibility of the disability and the stigmatizing nature of the disability were manipulated. I found a significant effect of disability visibility, on performance and an interaction effect of stigma threat and disability visibility on self-control. The implications of these results for theory, practice, and future research are discussed.

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Psychological Sciences

Committee Chair

Deborah E. Rupp

Date of Award

3-2016

First Advisor

Deborah E. Rupp

Committee Member 1

Alecia M. Santuzzi

Committee Member 2

James M. Tyler

Share

COinS