Attempting to ameliorate student therapists' negative stereotype of the stutterer.

Abstract

This paper reports on attempts to change student therapists' negative stereotyping of 'the stutterer'. Awareness of the negative stereotype and knowledge about the possible effects of this on therapy were not effective in changing attitudes. Knowledge of alternative meanings of stuttering, different models of therapy and theories of change, as well as experimenting with personal change, were effective to a limited degree in changing the direction of negative attitudes. Relevant experience of working with people who stutter was also important for some student therapists in beginning to change the direction of the negative stereotype.