Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Examining Ableism in Higher Education through Social Dominance Theory and Social Learning Theory

  • Published:
Innovative Higher Education Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In most societies, some social identity groups hold a disproportionate amount of social, cultural, and economic power, while other groups hold little. In contemporary U.S. society, examples of this power are evident around issues of ability/disability, with able-bodied individuals wielding social dominance and people with disabilities experiencing a lack of social, cultural, and economic power. However, this relationship between able-bodied individuals and people with disabilities is neither static nor determinant; and through social modeling it may be altered to foster increased positive outcomes for people with disabilities, including both undergraduate and graduate students. As educators and institutional staff members frequently engage with students with disabilities, improving ally behavior and overall accessibility will increase rapport building with students, leading to more just and equitable interactions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Batalha, L., Reynolds, K., & Newbigin, C. (2011). All else being equal: Are men always higher in social dominance orientation than women? European Journal of Social Psychology, 41, 796–806. doi:10.1002/ejsp.829

  • Brauer, J. R., & Tittle, C. R. (2012). Social learning theory and human reinforcement. Sociological Spectrum, 32, 157–177. doi:10.1080/02732173.2012.646160

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Broido, E. M. (2000). The development of social justice allies during college: A phenomenological investigation. Journal of College Student Development, 41, 3–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Denhart, H. (2008). Deconstructing barriers perceptions of students labeled with learning disabilities in higher education. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 41, 483–497. doi:10.1177/0022219408321151

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Draughn, T., Elkins, B., & Roy, R. (2002). Allies in the struggle: Eradicating homophobia and heterosexism on campus. Journal of Lesbian Studies, 6(3–4), 9–20. doi:10.1300/J155v06n03_02

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farnall, O., & Smith, K. A. (1999). Reactions to people with disabilities: Personal contact versus viewing of specific media portrayals. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 76, 659–672. doi:10.1177/107769909907600404

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ford, A. (2009). It’s not just about racism, but ableism. Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, 26(4), 16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Franks, C. M. (1974). Social learning theory after two decades. Contemporary Psychology, 19, 302–303.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garland-Thomson, R. (2002). Integrating disability, transforming feminist theory. NWSA Journal, 14(3), 1–32. doi:10.2307/4316922

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hehir, T. (2002). Eliminating ableism in education. Harvard Educational Review, 72, 1–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hutcheon, E. J., & Wolbring, G. (2012). Voices of “disabled” post secondary students: Examining higher education “disability” policy using an ableism lens. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, 5(1), 39–49. doi:10.1037/a0027002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marks, D. (1996). Able-bodied dilemmas in teaching disability studies. Feminism and Psychology, 6, 69–73. doi:10.1177/0959353596061009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Massengill, D. (2004). Adding insult to injury: Disability-based hostile environment under the ADA. Employee Relations Law Journal, 30, 74–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mearns, J. (2009). Social learning theory. In Encyclopedia of human relationships online. Retrieved from http://0-www.credoreference.com.bianca.penlib.du.edu/entry/sagehumanr/social_learning_theory

  • Middleton, V. A., Anderson, S. K., & Banning, J. H. (2009). The journey to understanding privilege: A meta-narrative approach. Journal of Transformative Education, 7, 294–311.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palmeri, T. (May 14, 2013) Rich Manhattan mom hires handicapped tour guides so kids can cut lines at Disney World. New York Post. Retrieved from http://nypost.com/2013/05/14/rich-manhattan-moms-hire-handicapped-tour-guides-so-kids-can-cut-lines-at-disney-world/

  • Parashar, D., & Devanathan, N. (2006). Still not in vogue: The portrayal of disability in magazine advertising. Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 37(1), 13–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pease, B. (2010). Undoing privilege: Unearned advantage in a divided world. New York, NY: Zed Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pettijohn, T. F., & Walzer, A. S. (2008). Reducing racism, sexism, and homophobia in college students by completing a psychology of prejudice course. College Student Journal, 42, 459–468.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pratt, T. C., Cullen, F. T., Sellers, C. S., Thomas Winfree Jr, L., Madensen, T. D., Daigle, L. E., Fearn, N. E., & Gau, J. M. (2010). The empirical status of social learning theory: A meta‐analysis. Justice Quarterly, 27, 765–802. doi:10.1080/07418820903379610

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pratto, F., Sidanius, J., & Levin, S. (2006). Social dominance theory and the dynamics of intergroup relations: Taking stock and looking forward. European Review of Social Psychology, 17, 271–320.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rauscher, L., & McClintock, J. (1996). Ableism curriculum design. In M. Adams, L. A. Bell, & P. Griffen (Eds.), Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice (pp. 198–231). New York, NY: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, A., McRee, N., & Arntz, D. L. (2009). Using a college human sexuality course to combat homophobia. Sex Education, 9, 211–225. doi:10.1080/14681810903059052

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rotter, J. B. (1954). Social learning and clinical psychology. New York, NY: Prentice Hall.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Rubin, M., & Hewstone, M. (2004). Social identity, system justification and social dominance: Commentary on Reicher, Jost et al., and Sidanius et al. Political Psychology, 25, 823–844. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9221.2004.00400.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sidanius, J., & Pratto, F. (1999). Social dominance: An intergroup theory of social hierarchy and oppression. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Sidanius, J., Pratto, F., Laar, C. V., & Levin, S. (2004). Social dominance theory: Its agenda and method. Political Psychology, 25, 845–880.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Social dominance theory (2011). Social dominance theory. In Dowdin, K. (Ed.), Encyclopedia of power (pp. 613-614). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

  • Solórzano, D., Ceja, M., & Yosso, T. (2000). Critical race theory, racial microaggressions, and campus racial climate: The experiences of African American college students. Journal of Negro Education, 69, 60–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spencer, M. S. (1998). Reducing racism in schools: Moving beyond rhetoric. Children & Schools, 20, 25–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sternberg, R. J. (1997). Styles of thinking and learning. Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 13(2), 15–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Storey, K. (2007). Combating ableism in schools. Preventing School Failure: Alternative Education for Children and Youth, 52, 56–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sue, D. W. (2010). Microaggressions in everyday life: Race, gender, and sexual orientation. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thyer, B. A., & Myers, L. L. (1998). Social learning theory. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 1, 33–52. doi:10.1300/J137v01n01_03

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tisdell, E. J. (1993). Feminism and adult learning: Power, pedagogy, and praxis. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, 57, 91–103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • United States Code (2008). Americans with disabilities act of 1990, as amended. Retrieved from http://www.ada.gov/pubs/adastatute08.htm

  • United States Census Bureau (2012). Americans with disabilities: 2010. Retrieved from http://www.census.gov/prod/2012pubs/p70-131.pdf

  • United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division (2011). Information and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act. Retrieved from http://www.ada.gov/taman3.html

  • Walls, N.E. (2005). Modern forms of prejudice in the social dominance theoretical framework: Positively valenced attitudes as hierarchy-enhancing legitimizing myths (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from http://etd.nd.edu/ETD-db/theses/available/etd-07132005-170304/

  • Washington, J., & Evans, N. J. (1991). Becoming an ally. In N. J. Evans & V. A. Wall (Eds.), Beyond tolerance: Gays, lesbians, and bisexuals on campus (pp. 195–204). Washington, DC: American College Personnel Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolbring, G. (2008). The politics of ableism. Development, 51, 252–258. doi:10.1057/dev.2008.17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolbring, G. (2012). Ethical theories and discourse through an ability expectations and ableism lens: The case of enhancement and global regulation. Asian Bioethics Review, 4, 393–309. doi:10.153/asb/2012/0033

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA

    Shanna K. Kattari

Authors
  1. Shanna K. Kattari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shanna K. Kattari.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kattari, S.K. Examining Ableism in Higher Education through Social Dominance Theory and Social Learning Theory. Innov High Educ 40, 375–386 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10755-015-9320-0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10755-015-9320-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation