Abstract
Background: The paper reports on a laboratory investigation of the effects of self‐modelling on stuttering rate in adolescents and adults. Self‐modelling refers to a therapeutic or training method, usually involving videotape, that uses exposure to oneself performing selected error‐free behaviours as the conduit for promoting behaviour change.
Aims: To investigate self‐modelling in single‐subject experiments to determine whether any reductions in stuttering could be directly attributable to watching self‐modelling videotapes and to ascertain whether instruction to focus attention on the target behaviour, namely stutter‐free speech, was necessary for experimental effects.
Methods & Procedures: A single‐subject withdrawal design was employed with two adult men and an adolescent boy. Speaking sessions during all phases of the study were of 3‐min duration. During the B Phase, subjects watched one of their self‐modelling videotapes, which had been edited to remove all stuttered speech, before each speaking session. In the B+C Phases, subjects continued to watch the self‐modelling videotapes before each speaking session and, in addition, were instructed to attempt to speak during the session as they had spoken on the videotape.
Outcomes & Results: Stuttering reduced under self‐modelling conditions for one of the three subjects. This effect was observed during the B+C Phases, which included instruction to attend to the target behaviour.
Conclusions: The study provides laboratory evidence that self‐modelling can ameliorate stuttering. The clinical implications of this finding are that treatments for adults may well benefit from the inclusion of self‐modelling procedures, and self‐modelling procedures may form a part of relapse prevention and management strategies.