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document
Information source affects peers ' initial attitudes toward autism . Authors examined the effects of information source on peers ' cognitive and behavioral attitudes toward an unfamiliar child with autism . Children ( N=296 ; M age=10.21 years ) received information about an unfamiliar child with autism from one of the following sources : ( a ) videotape , ( b ) teacher , ( c ) hypothetical mother , ( d ) hypothetical father , or ( e ) hypothetical " doctor . " Interactive effects between source , and sex and grade were found for cognitive and behavioral attitudes . Fifth-graders reported more favorable cognitive and behavioral attitudes when information was provided by extra-familial sources ( i.e. , " doctor " ) versus parent sources . Mother yielded more persuasive effects on behavioral attitudes for third-graders versus fifth-graders . Attitudes toward autism differ depending on who provides information about the disability . Persuasion theory appears useful to guide evaluation of educational interventions to improve attitudes towards autism . Implications of the findings , study limitations , and recommendations for future research are discussed .
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Intervention_Educational
Information source
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Intervention_Educational
videotape
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Intervention_Educational
teacher
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Intervention_Educational
hypothetical mother
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Intervention_Educational
hypothetical father
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Intervention_Educational
hypothetical " doctor . "
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Outcome_Physical
autism
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Outcome_Mental
cognitive and behavioral attitudes
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Outcome_Mental
cognitive and behavioral attitudes
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Outcome_Mental
more persuasive effects on behavioral attitudes
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Outcome_Mental
attitudes towards autism .
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Participant_Condition
teacher