Empathy and intolerance of Russian youth towards people with disabilities: gender and personality differences

Abstract

In this article, we present the results of a study on empathy and intolerance in relation to people with disabilities among Russian students. We investigated gender and personal differences in the relationship between the level of aggressive behavior, empathy and anxiety (as an indicator of stress). The sample consisted of 192 students — 106 of young men and 86 of young women (average age 20 years). We used a psychological questionnaires and experimental design with the presentation of stimulating photographs. At the first stage, all respondents filled in a personal questionnaire of the self-ratings on aggressive behavior by Bass&Perry, questionnaire of empathic abilities developed by Boyko, and the Spielberg-Khanin questionnaire for determining the level of anxiety. On the next step, we showed a stimulus material — a set of pictures with disabled people. After photo session, we asked respondents to fill in questionnaires on empathy and anxiety again. The results of the study show that the effect of stimulant photos stimulated the arousal of the level of anxiety and empathy in students, Also the development of empathy can lead to a decrease in the number of manifestations of rejection, hostility and aggression (and, consequently, fear) towards people with disabilities.