Social images of disadvantaged groups

Four hundred and thirty participants rated the social images of 8 groups on 67 variables which previous researchers have shown to be important in employment hiring situations. The groups rated were: average adults, women, mental retardates, ex-mental patients, ex-criminals, hippies, blacks, and North American Indians. A factor analysis yielded 6 major dimensions in the social images: appearance, sincerity, ability, outspokenness, fortitude, and security. The variations in the factor scores of the 8 groups were examined to clarify the disadvantages of each group in hiring situations.