L'aptitude au travail comme heuristique de mérite dans la formation des opinions à l'égard des personnes assistées sociales.

This article examines Quebecers' attitudes towards welfare recipients and looks at the variation in the level of monthly assistance that Quebecers are willing to give them as a function of the recipient profile. Specifically, the article aims to study the influence of the ability to work as a merit-based heuristic structuring Quebecers' opinions. Our results indicate that Quebecers believe that social assistance recipients should receive monthly supports below what they consider to be the minimum income necessary to cover basic needs. Quebecers' views on the appropriate level of assistance to be provided to people benefiting from social assistance are also strongly structured by the issue of employability and the perception that individuals are in control of their situation. Finally, the ability to work is clearly distinguished from a variety of other individual characteristics that may influence Quebecers' opinions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]