Perceptions of communicative disorders - Verification and specification ofrater variables

Using semantic differential scales with nine trait pairs, 600 students at t hree universities rated five descriptions, one depicting an individual with out a disorder and four portraying individuals with communicative disorders . Statistical analyses indicated that the description with no disorder was rated as significantly less ambitious than the described articulation disor der. Other differences emerged when raters were divided by gender and age. Male subjects rated the portrayed individuals as more highly stressed than did females. A significant negative correlation was found for age of respon dent and ratings of self-esteem. Results support previous research suggesti ng that rater gender and age impact perceptions of communicative disorders. Learning outcomes: As a result of this activity, the participant will be ab le to: (1) identify the different means by which investigators have studied the stereotyping of people with communicative disorders, (2) discuss how l isteners perceive those with and without communicative disorders, and (3) i dentify listener traits that may be associated with negative perceptions of people with communicative disorders. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All ri ghts reserved.