Attitudes Toward the Amish: Contact, Social Dominance, and Beliefs in Equality

Abstract

This study measured prejudice toward the Amish among the non-Amish using the Attitude Toward Amish scale. A sample of university students in the state of Indiana (N = 107) responded to an online survey instrument that was designed to replicate a previous study on what factors predict prejudice toward the Amish. The findings support some but not all of the predictors of anti-Amish prejudice found in the prior study. This study also measured knowledge of anti-Amish abusive behavior carried out by nonAmish. It was discovered that, as contact with the Amish increased, the odds of a respondent either hearing about or directly knowing of such conduct increased. The full findings are discussed, along with study strengths and weaknesses, potential application of the findings, and future research.