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From: Woody Starkweather
Date: 10/10/01
Time: 6:22:34 AM
Remote Name: 155.247.228.153
Hi Harsha:
Well, historically, there was a backlash in the SLP field against psychological aspects because of some silly theories and unfounded treatments. During the rise of behaviorism in the 60's, it was fasionable to ignore emotions. So, now we have an overcrowded curriculum and little information given to students about this important area. I remember when they removed Abnormal Psychology as a "related area" in our curriculum (I was opposed to the action), and only a few years later they were trying to fit in mini courses on "counseling" which scratch the surface but don't go far enough.
As for research, how can we expect Ph.D. students to get into research on the emotional aspects of stuttering if they have no background in these concepts as undergraduates or MA students?
In spite of these problems, there is some movement. Lou Heite's paper in this conference was a MA thesis under my direction. The new scales for measuring the efficacy of therapy that are being developed by Yaruss and Quesal include measures of the emotional aspects of stuttering (or will). And there have been a few other signs that research in this area is beginning to pick up.
But it will take some time.
Thank y ou for your comments.
Woody