Response contingent stimuli and stuttering: issues and implications

Area of Science:

• Speech-Language Pathology
• Behavioral Psychology
• Communication Sciences

Background:

• Response contingent stimuli (RCS) research on stuttering began ~30 years ago.
• Interest and research in RCS effects on speech disfluency peaked around 1980.
• A significant decline in studies has occurred since 1980.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate unresolved issues in response contingent stimuli research.
• To analyze the reasons for the decline in research interest.
• To propose implications for future research in stuttering and speech disfluency.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and critical evaluation of existing studies on RCS and stuttering.
• Analysis of historical trends in research publication frequency.
• Identification and discussion of unresolved theoretical and practical issues.

Main Results:

• Key issues regarding the efficacy and mechanisms of RCS on stuttering remain unresolved.
• The decline in research is not fully explained by the resolution of these issues.
• Crucial aspects require further investigation to advance understanding.

Conclusions:

• Despite a historical decline, unresolved issues in RCS research warrant renewed attention.
• Future research should address the identified critical issues to improve stuttering treatment.
• Understanding RCS effects is vital for advancing speech fluency interventions.