Attitudes and Behavioural Intentions of Typically Developing Adolescents towards a Hypothetical Peer with Asperger Syndrome

Abstract

This study examines the attitudes and the behavioural intentions of typically developing (TD) adolescents towards a hypothetical peer with Asperger syndrome (AS). Participants (N = 179, M age = 13.7 years) viewed two PowerPoint presentations one of a TD male target and one of a male target with AS. The target with AS was introduced either with descriptive or combined information delivered either by a hypothetical friend or by a hypothetical teacher. Attitudes and behavioural intentions were assessed by the administration of the Shared Activities Questionnaire and the Adjective Checklist. Results yielded that participants were more positive towards the TD target than towards the target with AS. Regarding the target with AS, there was no significant overall advantage of either information type whereas the friend rather than the teacher source triggered more positive responses. Limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.