Effects of Internal Versus External Attribution and Body Mass Index on Weight Prejudice

The primary purpose of this research was to examine the effect of internal and external attribution and a person's Body Mass Index on weight prejudice. Data for this research was obtained from an ABC News/Time Magazine Poll (2004). Logistic regression was used to analyze the data. My hypothesis that people who internally attribute the cause of being overweight or obese will be more likely to be prejudiced toward overweight or obese individuals was supported by my findings. My hypothesis that people who internally attribute the cause of obesity and have a lower Body Mass Index would be more likely to be prejudiced against overweight or obese individuals was not supported by my findings. Individuals with more education were shown to be more likely to be prejudiced against obese individuals. Women were shown to be less likely than men to be prejudiced against obese individuals. A respondent's age and urbanity were not shown to significantly predict weight prejudice.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Department of Sociology

Year

2005

Author dc:creator

• Richardson, Margaret

• Sociology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/473

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.wku.edu:theses-1476