Results

The graphs above compare the distribution of responses for the comfort with proximity and willingness to interact variables. Participants were generally more willing to interact with a justice-involved person and less comfortable being close in physical proximity to them.

The graph above compares the overall comfort and overall willingness values between the two language types. Participants assigned crime-first language reported slightly greater averages for overall comfort and overall willingness. There was no significant difference between language types for either variable. 

When accounting for the influence of the control variables, the relationship between language type and attitudes was still not significant. However, several control variables had significant relationships with the dependent variables. These traits were associated with more inclusive attitudes:

• Participants who had knowingly interacted with someone convicted of a felony reported significantly greater levels of willingness and comfort compared to those who had not experienced any interactions

• Participants who knew someone convicted of a felony reported significantly greater levels of comfort compared to those who did not know someone.

• Liberal participants reported significantly greater levels of willingness compared to those who identified with another political ideology.

• Participants older than 25 reported significantly greater comfort compared to those younger than 25.

These traits were associated with less inclusive attitudes:

• Women reported significantly lower levels of willingness compared to men.

• Non-White participants reported significantly lower levels of comfort compared to White participants.

• Participants who identified with a religion reported significantly lower levels of comfort compared to non-religious participants.