Evaluating the social acceptability of persons with habit disorders: The effects of topography, frequency, and gender manipulation

In this study, 120 undergraduate students were asked to rate the social acc eptability of a male and female who portrayed different habit behaviors (mo tor ties, vocal ties, Tourette's disorder, and trichotillomania). The portr ayals of these behaviors were clinically valid as viewed by mental health p rofessionals. Each habit behavior was portrayed in a variety of frequency/t opography combinations including low frequency/mild topography, low frequen cy/severe topography, high frequency/mild topography, and high frequency/se vere topography. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four habit c onditions (motor tie, vocal tie, Tourette's disorder, and trichotillomania) and were asked to rate the social acceptability of the frequency/topograph y combinations exhibited by each actor. Results showed that across the vari ous habit conditions, the man with the habit was seen as less socially acce ptable than the woman with the habit. In addition, low-frequency habit beha viors were more acceptable than high-frequency behaviors, and behaviors wit h mild topographies were more acceptable than those with severe topography habits. Motor ties were seen as more acceptable than vocal ties, Tourette's disorder, or trichotillomania. Implications and directions for future rese arch are discussed.