Abstract

This study investigates attitudes towards people with disabilities (PWD) among Jewish and Arab students in Israel, exploring the nuanced interplay of cultural influences. Negative attitudes, and discrimination, as manifested in ableism, are contextualized within the multifaceted Israeli society. As the Arab population comprises a marginalized minority within this multicultural context, attitudes towards PWD reflect a complex interplay of traditionalist underpinnings and exposure to Western values.
The current study aims to bridge gaps in understanding cross-cultural attitudes, applying quantitative and qualitative methods. Utilizing the Multidimensional Attitudes Scale, significant differences emerge between Jewish and Arab participants, with Arabs exhibiting more positive affective and behavioral attitudes. Qualitative analysis further reveals themes of the value of respect and the fear of divine retribution within Arab perspectives.
The study challenges assumptions about traditional societies holding more negative attitudes towards PWD, highlighting cultural nuances that shape attitudes differently than expected. The focus group discussions provide insights into the role of religion and respect in Arab attitudes, suggesting a need for content validation of attitude measurement scales within the Arab population. Overall, this study contributes to the discourse on cross-cultural attitudes towards PWD, offering implications for legislative interventions and educational policies.

Keywords: Cultural differences, Arabs, Jews, Attitudes, Persons with Disabilities (PWD), Religion, Ableism.