Perceptions of auditory components of stuttered speech

Area of Science:

• Speech-Language Pathology
• Psycholinguistics
• Perception Studies

Background:

• Understanding listener perceptions of stuttered speech is crucial for developing effective interventions.
• Previous research suggests varied reactions to stuttering, but specific group differences in perception require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the perceptions of stuttered speech between speech pathology students and a general humanities student group.
• To investigate whether specialized training influences how individuals perceive stuttering.

Main Methods:

• Two distinct student groups (speech pathology majors and humanities students) listened to identical sentences presented in both nonstuttered and stuttered forms.
• Participants rated each speech sample using 114 semantic differential-type adjectives on 10-point unipolar scales, representing 31 positive and 29 negative perceptual factors.
• Statistical analysis was performed to identify significant differences in perception between the two groups.

Main Results:

• All college students surveyed exhibited favorable reactions to stuttered speech.
• Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in six perceptual factors when comparing the two groups' evaluations of stuttered speech.
• Speech pathology students demonstrated more favorable perceptions across all dimensions compared to the humanities student group.

Conclusions:

• Specialized education in speech pathology appears to foster more positive attitudes towards stuttered speech.
• Perceptions of stuttering differ significantly between students with and without specific training in speech disorders.
• Findings suggest that educational background plays a role in shaping listener responses to stuttering.