Public attitudes toward cluttering and stuttering in four countries

Abstract

Purpose. Using an adaptation of the Experimental Edition of the Public Opinion Survey of Human Attributes (POSHA-E), investigators sought to compare public attitudes toward cluttering with those toward stuttering in four country samples, each in a different language. The POSHA-E was developed to measure public attitudes of stuttering but was modified to provide written definitions of cluttering and stuttering. Method. Convenience samples of 60 to 90 adult respondents from Turkey, Bulgaria, Russia, and the USA (302 total) rated POSHA-E items on 1-9 scales for cluttering and stuttering after reading the definitions. Results. Public attitudes toward cluttering and stuttering were similar for all respondents combined, but significant differences occurred. Attitude differences from country-to-country were greater than differences for cluttering versus stuttering. Conclusions. Positive and negative attitudes toward cluttering appear to be similar to those toward stuttering, and a cluttering stereotype appears likely