Self-perceptions of speech language pathologists-in-training before and after pseudostuttering experiences on the telephone.
OBJECTIVE
This survey investigated the effect of 'pseudostuttering' experiences on self-perceptions of 29 female, graduate students enrolled in a graduate seminar in stuttering while in a programme of study to become professional speech language pathologists.


METHODS
Perceptions of self prior to, and immediately after, participation in five scripted telephone calls that contained pseudostuttering were measured via a 25-item semantic differential scale.


RESULTS
Participants perceived themselves as significantly more (p < 0.002) withdrawn, tense, avoiding, afraid, introverted, nervous, self-conscious, anxious, quiet, inflexible, fearful, shy, careless, hesitant, uncooperative, dull, passive, unpleasant, insecure, unfriendly, guarded, and reticent after their pseudostuttering telephone call experiences.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggests that the pseudostuttering experiences have an impact on self-perceptions and that the experience of 'adopting the disability of a person who stutters' may provide insight as to the social and emotional impact of communicative failure. It is suggested that pseudostuttering exercises may be a valuable teaching tool for the graduate students, especially for those who do not stutter.
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of North Dakota, USA. manish.rami@und.edu
Manish K
MK
Rami
Joseph
J
Kalinowski
Andrew
A
Stuart
Michael P
MP
Rastatter
D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D012649:Self Concept; D012659:Semantic Differential; D012938:Social Perception; D013066:Speech-Language Pathology / Q000193:education*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D013342:Stuttering / Q000523:psychology*; D013689:Telephone