When we feel compassionate: Stereotypical and attributional determinants of attitudes toward abortion

ABSTRACT

Abortion is seen as a violation of a woman’s presumed role of being a mother. As the female population grows diverse, women are acting in multiple social roles outside traditional motherhood. Whether this development will challenge social perceptions of women and further affect public attitudes toward abortion remains less known. Based on the Stereotype Content Model (SCM), this study found both stereotypical and attributional factors influenced attitudes toward abortion. Female and male perceivers differed in terms of compassion as an emotional mediator of attitudes. The study provides empirical evidence and theoretical implications that explains the stereotypical processing toward women with abortion.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).