A Comparison of the Effects of Deafness Simulation and Observation upon Attitudes, Anxiety, and Behavior Manifested toward the Deaf
EARL D. WILSON, Ph.D. University of Nebraska An important task that confronts those who train others to work with the deaf is to acquaint them with the basic characteristics associated with deafness. Traditionally this has been accomplished through the use of reading material and direct observation of the deaf. These two techniques have been accepted and applied for many years with little evaluation or consideration of alternate methods. One alternative, deafness simulation, was considered by the writer as plausible and worthy of comparison with traditional methods. Simulation is currently receiving widespread attention as an educational technology with great promise. It has been used experimentally in teacher training (Cruickshank, 1966) and in other areas of educational research (Teaching research, 1967). Beck & Monroe (1969) have discussed the advantages and disadvantages of simulation as a method of instruction. Among the advantages they cite are affective as well as cognitive experience, the possibility of greater transfer, and a responsive environment that may provide the learner with a sense of involvement. The current study was based upon the assump-