Abstract
M.A.
People with HIV, in addition to having to deal with the physical consequences of the disease
(van Dyk, 2001a), are also subjected to stigmatisation, discrimination and stereotyping. The
stereotype about people with HIV can be conceptualised within social cognitive approaches
and intergroup approaches in social psychology.
While the focus of social cognitive approaches, such as schema theory is on the processes to
do with stereotyping, intergroup approaches including social identity theory consider aspects
of stereotype content, taking a collective perspective. Existing social psychological literature
regarding reactions to people with HIV has mainly focussed on stigmatisation (Aggleton &
Parker, 2002; Parker & Aggleton, 2003) and the consequences of discrimination of people
with HIV (Gilmore & Somerville, 1994).
The present study aimed to explore the stereotype content and subtypes about people with
HIV. It employed a combined free response technique with a stereotype checklist, modified to
suit the South African context. Frequency analysis was used to establish which attributes were
considered stereotypic of people with HIV. Subtypes were determined by subjecting the list of
stereotypes to exploratory factor analysis and mean subtype strengths were compared.
A second aim of the study was to determine possible ethnic differences in stereotype
subtypes, by comparing the subtype strengths of the ethnic groups Black and White.
Results indicated the presence of a measurable stereotype, consisting of 34 negative
stereotypic attributes. Exploratory factor analysis of the list of attributes yielded three
meaningful subtypes about people with HIV: the Needy Worrier subtype, the ContagiousSufferer subtype, which did not differ significantly in strength from one another and which
were both significantly stronger than the Neurotic Risk-taker subtype
Subtype strength, as well as separate comparison of the distribution of ratings within the
attributes also differed significantly between black and white participants. Generally, white
participants’ ratings were significantly stronger on the Contagious Sufferer subtype and the
Neurotic Risk-taker subtype.
The results of the study generally supported the expectations and hypotheses. The results were
then discussed and explained from both social cognitive and intergroup perspectives. An
interpretation of the findings discussed the negative stereotype about people with HIV as a
self-fulfilling prophecy, indicating a possible mechanism of maintaining and aggravating the
largely negative perception of people with HIV (Gilmore & Somerville, 1994). Implications
of the results were discussed with regards to possible reasons for the negative stereotype as
well as social consequences for people with HIV and society as a whole.
Suggestions for future research building on or extending the information gained from the
present study were introduced.
In conclusion the present study found a distinguishable negative stereotype about people with
HIV, subdivided into three stereotypes. Together with the discussed ethnic differences in
stereotype subtype strength and content, the present exploratory study provided a relevant
contribution to stereotype content research in general, and about people with HIV in
particular.