Studies in the Psychology of Stuttering: XIX

Abstract

30 stutterers, aged 17-42 yrs. (27 [male][male], 3 [female][female]), were studied by Darlay''s standardization of oral-reading rate tests. Two observers checked each case. Reliability of results was analyzed statistically. Stutterers read in the mean 122.7 words per minute; non-stuttering controls, 167.3. Stutterers had the greater apparent range of rate distribution. Both groups varied most widely in reading monosyllabic passages and least in polysyllabic. Frequency and total duration of stuttering have high negative correlation with over-all reading rate and with non-stuttering rate. The author suggests a subtle psychological difference in the 2 groups: stutterers, perhaps, are the slower oral readers because of anxious anticipation of stuttering, rather than because of a neuromuscular instability. The relation between severity of stuttering and reading and speaking rate probably is not simple.