The Role of Diagnostic Labels on Perceptions of Behavior
Disciplines
Cognition and Perception | Developmental Psychology | Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that impacts individuals’ social, communication, and behavioral abilities. There are certain stigmas surrounding the diagnostic label of autism, some negative and some positive. The purpose of this study is to explore the stigmas associated with children who have been diagnosed with autism versus children who have not been diagnosed. This study also explores if age is a factor in the stigmas surrounding autism. We hypothesized that people will show more sympathy towards a child who has been diagnosed with autism than they would show towards a child who has not been diagnosed. Additionally, we believe that people will be more judgmental of a child’s parents when there is no label of autism than when the label of autism is present. Finally, we predict that people will show lower levels of comfort when the label of autism is not present versus when the label is present. To examine the results of these hypotheses, we surveyed students from around the campus of Kennesaw State University. The results showed that our initial hypotheses were both correct and false. Children with the label of autism were shown to receive slightly higher sympathetic reactions and less parental judgment. However, comfort level did not show any significant results. Also, age of the child did not yield significant results when shown alongside the label.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
RCHSS - Psychological Science
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Dr. Tracie Stewart
The Role of Diagnostic Labels on Perceptions of Behavior
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that impacts individuals’ social, communication, and behavioral abilities. There are certain stigmas surrounding the diagnostic label of autism, some negative and some positive. The purpose of this study is to explore the stigmas associated with children who have been diagnosed with autism versus children who have not been diagnosed. This study also explores if age is a factor in the stigmas surrounding autism. We hypothesized that people will show more sympathy towards a child who has been diagnosed with autism than they would show towards a child who has not been diagnosed. Additionally, we believe that people will be more judgmental of a child’s parents when there is no label of autism than when the label of autism is present. Finally, we predict that people will show lower levels of comfort when the label of autism is not present versus when the label is present. To examine the results of these hypotheses, we surveyed students from around the campus of Kennesaw State University. The results showed that our initial hypotheses were both correct and false. Children with the label of autism were shown to receive slightly higher sympathetic reactions and less parental judgment. However, comfort level did not show any significant results. Also, age of the child did not yield significant results when shown alongside the label.