ERIC Number: EJ1127546
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2377-2263
EISSN: N/A
Students' Stereotypes of Autism
Wood, Chantelle; Freeth, Megan
Journal of Educational Issues, v2 n2 p131-140 2016
This research aimed to ascertain the contents (Study 1) and valence (Study 2) of the stereotype associated with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) in university students. Study 1 used a free-response methodology where participants listed the characteristics that they thought society associates with individuals with ASC. This study revealed that the stereotypic traits most frequently reported by students without personal experience of ASC were poor social skills, being introverted and withdrawn, poor communication and difficult personality or behaviour. Study 2 had participants rate the valence of the 10 most frequently mentioned stereotypic traits identified in Study 1, along with additional traits frequently used to describe disabled and non-disabled people. This study found that eight of the ten most frequently listed stereotypic traits from Study 1 were seen as negative, and were rated significantly more negatively than traits used to describe non-disabled people. The knowledge of the contents and valence of the stereotype of ASC gained from this research can be used to tackle negative aspects of this stereotype.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, College Students, Student Attitudes, Attitudes toward Disabilities, Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Stereotypes, Questionnaires, Likert Scales, Statistical Analysis
Macrothink Institute. 5348 Vegas Drive, Unit 825, Las Vegas, Nevada 89108. Tel: 702-953-1852; Fax: 702-420-2900; e-mail: info@macrothink.org; Web site: http://www.macrothink.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A