Does the stigma shape the stutterer?

The Woods and Williams' (1976) study of Iowans' stereotypes about stuttering males was replicated using 11 speech clinicians and 16 classroom teachers in Virginia. Ratings of 23 possible characteristics were obtained for four hypothetical concepts (typical 8-year-old male, typical 8-year-old male stutter, typical adult male, and typical adult male stutterer) using a semantic differential format. The results of the Woods and Williams' (1976) research were confirmed. Stutters were expected by all rating groups to be more nonassertive, tense, insecure, and afraid to talk than nonstutterers. Not only were stereotype differences within professional groups quite small from one geographical region to the other, but classroom teachers held particularly unfavorable stereotypes of the stuttering boy in both studies. These results suggest the possibility that listener reactions could shape the stutterer's behavior.