Negative Peer Evaluation in Adolescents: Effects of Tic Disorders and Trichotillomania

ABSTRACT

Fifty-one adolescents from a Midwestern junior high school viewed two videotape segments of actors portraying one of two habit conditions. While simulating a conversation, the four actors in the videotape segments exhibited a habit behavior (motor tic or trichotillomania) or exhibited no habit behavior. After viewing each segment, participants were asked to complete a questionnaire (Social Acceptance Scale) measuring the social acceptance of the person they just viewed. Results show that individuals who did not exhibit either habit were rated significantly higher in social acceptability than individuals who exhibited either habit. The results are mixed regarding the influence of gender on social acceptability ratings. Implications of the findings are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Negative peer evaluation
• adolescents
• tic disorders
• trichotillomania