Examining the Social Effects of Habit Behaviors Exhibited by Individuals with Mental Retardation

Abstract

This study examined social perceptions of and the social impairment experienced by individuals with mental retardation who exhibit various habit behaviors. In addition, we evaluated the reliability and validity of the Social Acceptance Scale (SAS). In experiment 1, 108 college students were randomly assigned to one of four habit conditions (motor tic, vocal tic, trichotillomania, and fingernail biting). In each condition, participants viewed videotapes of two male and two female actors with mental retardation who each exhibited one of two scenarios (habit vs. no habit in a job interview situation). Participants rated the social acceptability of the actors using the SAS and made a decision to hire or not hire the actor. Results varied across habit conditions. Males and females who engaged in fingernail biting or trichotillomania were seen as less socially acceptable, and individuals with these behaviors were less likely to be hired for the job than those who did not exhibit these behaviors. In addition, males who exhibited motor and vocal tics were viewed as less socially acceptable than males who did not exhibit motor or vocal tics. Results from experiments 2 and 3 indicated that the SAS has good predictive and concurrent validity as well as good test–retest reliability, and that the SAS is a useful measure for determining a person's social acceptance. Implications of these studies are discussed.