Attitudes toward hearing impaired children: The effect of mode of communication and academic competence

Abstract

This study examined the effects of academic competence, mode of communication, familiarity with deaf/hard-of-hearing individuals, and knowledge of sign language on hearing children's attitudes toward and acceptance of deaf/hard-of-hearing peers. Fifty-six middle-class third and fourth grade boys viewed a videotape of a hard-of-hearing boy under one of four conditions: (1) using Signed English and competent in math word problems, (2) using Signed English and incompetent in math word problems, (3) using Spoken English and competent in math word problems and (4) using Spoken English and incompetent in math word problems. The results indicated that academic competence was the most influential factor affecting hearing peers' attitude toward and acceptance of deaf /hard-of-hearing children. Hearing children's positive attitudes were also affected by their familiarity with deaf/hard-of-hearing individuals.