Does Person-First Language Increase Empathy and Feelings of Closeness for Those With HIV and Cancer?
Term of Award
Spring 2018
Degree Name
Master of Science in Experimental Psychology (M.S.)
Document Type and Release Option
Thesis (restricted to Georgia Southern)
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Department
Department of Psychology
Committee Chair
Karen Naufel
Committee Member 1
Lawrence Locker
Committee Member 2
Amy Hackney
Abstract
The APA advocates for the use of person-first language in order to reduce stigma towards people with disabilities or diseases (Dunn & Andrews, 2015). However, little research exists that empirically tests the effects of using person-first language. The current study aims to explore the effects of person-first language towards those with cancer and HIV/AIDS to examine if language affects stigma, empathy, and feelings of closeness towards them. An interaction was hypothesized in that person-first language for HIV/AIDS would show greater increases in empathy and closeness than using person-first language for cancer. Results showed a significant main effect of disease on stigma, empathy, and feelings of closeness, but no significant main effects of language. This research may suggest that the nature of the illness, rather than the use of person-first language or disability-first language, is important for trying to increase empathy and perceived closeness to people who have cancer or HIV/AIDS.
Recommended Citation
Schmidt, Allyson H., "Does Person-First Language Increase Empathy and Feelings of Closeness for Those With HIV and Cancer?" (2018). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1729.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/1729
Research Data and Supplementary Material
No
