The Communication Attitude Test A form, developed by Gene J. Brutton, Ph.D., is a diagnostic tool designed to assess an individual's feelings and attitudes toward their own speech. This self-reporting questionnaire comprises statements that participants respond to with "True" or "False," reflecting their experiences and perceptions related to speaking. If you or someone you know is interested in exploring their communication attitudes, click the button below to fill out the form.
The Communication Attitude Test A Form, developed by Gene J. Brutton, Ph.D., offers an intriguing lens through which one examines the self-perception individuals have about their communication abilities. This tool is specially designed to uncover individuals’ attitudes toward their own speaking skills, tapping into experiences such as the ease of conversing with others, the fear or lack thereof when asked to speak in public settings like the classroom, and the personal perception of how others receive their verbal communication. Statements like "I don’t talk right," "Sometimes words will stick in my mouth when I talk," and "I find it easy to talk to most everyone" invite respondents to reflect on their verbal fluency and the social ramifications of their perceived communication competencies. The juxtaposition of items regarding ease of communication, others’ perceptions, and self-evaluation in various speaking situations reveals a comprehensive view of an individual’s communicative confidence or struggles. Moreover, it implicitly hints at the broader implications of these perceptions on one's social interactions and psychological well-being. This assessment not only provides valuable insights for educators, clinicians, and researchers into the challenges some might face in verbal communication but also emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing these issues to facilitate more effective and confident communicators within society.
COMMUNICATION ATTITUDE TEST*
FORM A
GENE J. BRUTTEN, PH.D.
1.
I don’t talk right
True
False
2.
I don’t mind asking the teacher a question in class
3.
Sometimes words will stick in my mouth when I talk
4.
People worry about the way I talk
5.
It is harder for me to give a report in class than it is for most of
the other kids
6.
My classmates don’t think I talk funny
7.
I like the way I talk
8.
People sometimes finish my words for me
9.
My parents like the way I talk
10.
I find it easy to talk to most everyone
11.
I talk well most of the time
12.
It is hard for me to talk to people
13.
I don’t talk like other children
14.
I don’t worry about the way I talk
15.
I don’t find it easy to talk
16.
My words come out easily
17.
It is hard for me to talk to strangers
18.
The other kids wish they could talk like me
19.
Some kids make fun of the way I talk
20.
Talking is easy for me
21.
Telling someone my name is hard for me
22.
Words are hard for me to say
23.
I talk well with most everyone
24.
Sometimes I have trouble talking
25.
I would rather talk than write
26.
I like to talk
27.
I am not a good talker
28.
I wish I could talk like other children
29.
My words do not come out easily
30.
My friends don’t talk as well as I do
31.
I don’t worry about talking on the phone
32.
I talk better with a friend
33.
People don’t seem to like the way I talk
34.
I let others talk for me
35.
Reading out loud in class is easy for me
*Copyright, Gene J. Brutten, 1985 – Revised 1997
Filling out the Communication Attitude Test A form is a straightforward process that requires attention and honesty from the participant. This specific test is designed to gauge an individual's feelings and attitudes towards their own communicative abilities. Answering the questions truthfully will provide valuable insights. Below are the steps to follow to complete the form:
Upon submission, the responses will be reviewed to understand your communication attitude better. The insights gained can be valuable in numerous contexts, including educational settings, therapeutic interventions, and personal development efforts. Remember, the goal of the Communication Attitude Test is not to judge, but to reflect on and potentially improve the way you communicate.
What is the Communication Attitude Test A form?
The Communication Attitude Test, also known as the CAT-A, is a specialized tool designed by Dr. Gene J. Brutten to help identify individuals' feelings and attitudes towards their own speech. Comprising 35 statements, respondents answer with 'True' or 'False' based on their personal experiences and perceptions. The goal of the test is to shed light on any negative perceptions that may exist, which can be particularly useful in diagnosing and understanding speech-related challenges such as stuttering.
Who should take the CAT-A?
Although it can be valuable for anyone interested in analyzing their speech attitudes, the CAT-A is particularly aimed at children and adolescents who may be experiencing speech difficulties. It's an excellent resource for speech-language pathologists and other professionals in educational settings to assess students' feelings about their communication abilities.
How is the CAT-A administered?
The test is straightforward to administer. Individuals are given a form with the 35 statements and asked to mark each statement as 'True' or 'False' according to their own experiences and feelings. There's no time limit, but it typically takes a few minutes to complete. It's essential that the respondent answers as honestly as possible to ensure accurate assessment.
What does the CAT-A assess?
The CAT-A primarily assesses an individual's attitudes towards their own speech. This includes their personal perceptions of their speaking abilities, level of comfort in speaking situations, and whether they experience any negative feelings or stigma related to the way they communicate. The test aims to highlight any self-perceived speech difficulties or anxieties.
Can the CAT-A diagnose speech disorders?
No, the CAT-A is not a diagnostic tool. Instead, it provides insight into the individual's feelings and attitudes towards their speech. However, the responses can be a valuable component of a comprehensive evaluation conducted by a speech-language pathologist, who can diagnose speech disorders through a combination of assessments and observations.
Is a professional needed to interpret the results?
While individuals can certainly reflect on their responses independently, a professional assessment of the results is recommended for a more comprehensive understanding. Speech-language pathologists and other trained professionals can interpret the responses within the broader context of a speech evaluation, providing insights that might not be apparent otherwise.
How are the results used?
The results from the CAT-A can inform various approaches to speech therapy or intervention. By identifying specific areas of concern regarding attitudes toward speech, professionals can tailor their support and strategies to address these areas, thereby helping improve not just speech capabilities but also self-confidence and comfort with communication.
Is preparation needed before taking the CAT-A?
No specific preparation is needed before taking the CAT-A. The most important thing is for the respondent to be in a comfortable environment where they feel able to answer honestly and without pressure.
Are there different versions of the Communication Attitude Test?
Yes, there are different versions tailored to various age groups and specific needs. Form A is the version discussed here, but there are others designed for broader or more focused assessments. It's crucial to choose the most appropriate version for the individual being assessed.
Where can I find the CAT-A?
The CAT-A is widely available through educational and speech therapy resources. Professionals in these fields may provide the test as part of their assessment process. If you're interested in accessing the CAT-A for personal use or research, it's recommended to consult a speech-language pathologist or the academic literature where the test has been published.
Completing the Communication Attitude Test A form, developed by Gene J. Brutton, Ph.D., can be a straightforward process, yet individuals sometimes make errors that could influence the accuracy of the results. Recognizing these mistakes is crucial for ensuring that the outcomes genuinely reflect one's feelings and attitudes towards their communication skills.
Firstly, a common mistake is not reading each statement thoroughly before answering. Due to the nuanced nature of the statements, quickly scanning them can lead to misinterpretation. For instance, the difference between agreeing to "I talk well most of the time" (True) and "Words are hard for me to say" (True) significantly impacts the scoring and interpretation of an individual's communication attitude.
Secondly, individuals may inaccurately respond based on what they believe is the "correct" answer rather than their true feelings. For example, agreeing to "I like the way I talk" (True) because they think it's the positive response, even if they have reservations about their speech. Such discrepancies can lead to a skewed self-assessment.
Another issue arises when respondents let recent events heavily influence their answers, ignoring their overall experiences and feelings. A temporary setback in communication might lead to a negative response to items like "Talking is easy for me" (False), which doesn't accurately reflect their usual confidence in speaking.
A fourth mistake involves overlooking the context of some statements. For instance, feeling nervous about public speaking could cause someone to agree with "It is harder for me to give a report in class than it is for most of the other kids" (True), without considering that public speaking anxiety is common and may not indicate a broader communication attitude issue.
Fifth, personal biases can cloud judgment. If an individual has been previously teased or criticized for their speech, they might agree with statements like "People worry about the way I talk" (True) more readily, even if such instances are rare or have decreased over time.
Sixth, failing to consider the variability in their communication can lead to inaccurate responses. Communication skills can fluctuate based on the context, audience, and emotional state; not recognizing this can result in blanket responses that don't capture the complexity of one's communicative experiences.
Seventh, some respondents may not give themselves enough credit for their communication strengths, focusing instead on their weaknesses. This could skew responses negatively, especially with statements that have a positive connotation, such as "I talk well with most everyone" (False).
Eighth, assuming that the test only examines verbal communication while ignoring other forms such as non-verbal cues, written communication, and social media engagement can limit the accuracy of one's responses. For example, agreeing with "I let others talk for me" (True) without considering instances where they effectively communicate through other means.
Ninth, rushing through the test without ample reflection leads to a superficial assessment. Each statement merits careful consideration to ensure that responses accurately reflect one’s genuine communication attitude over time.
To derive meaningful insights from the Communication Attitude Test A, recognizing and avoiding these common mistakes is essential. True reflection on each statement can yield results that accurately represent one's attitude towards communication, providing valuable self-awareness and a basis for further development.
When working with the Communication Attitude Test (CAT-A) Form A developed by Gene J. Brutton, Ph.D., it's not just about this single assessment. To gain a comprehensive understanding of an individual's communicative abilities and attitudes, a variety of supportive documents and forms are often utilized alongside it. These additional resources help in creating a fuller picture of the individual's communicative style, strengths, and areas needing support.
Incorporating these documents alongside the CAT-A Form A allows for a well-rounded assessment process. By examining an individual's communication from multiple angles—personal, academic, and social—we can identify tailored strategies that support more effective and confident communication. This holistic approach ensures that all aspects of communication, from the mechanics of speech to the subtleties of social interaction, are considered in developing comprehensive support plans.
The Communication Attitude Test (CAT) A form, designed to assess individuals' feelings and attitudes towards their own speech, shares similarities with various other psychological and educational evaluation tools. One such parallel is with the Self-Esteem Inventory (SEI), which measures an individual's perception and valuation of themselves. Both instruments aim to reveal the subject's internal viewpoints, the CAT on speech and the SEI on general self-worth, through a series of agree/disagree or true/false statements, thereby elucidating areas of potential intervention or support.
Another analogous document is the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), which assesses both transient and enduring levels of anxiety. Like the CAT, the STAI employs a self-report methodology to capture subjective experiences, but focuses on feelings of anxiety rather than attitudes towards communication. Both tools are pivotal in understanding an individual's emotional state and its impact on performance in social or evaluative situations, such as speaking or interacting with others.
The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) questionnaire also shares similarities with the CAT form A, as it evaluates the extent of autistic traits in adults and children. Both tools ask participants to respond to statements about personal preferences and behaviors with agreement or disagreement, offering insights into how individuals perceive their interaction with the world around them—in the CAT's case, specifically through communication.
The Dyslexia Screening Test (DST) is another document that bears resemblance to the CAT. While the DST is designed to identify students at risk for dyslexia through a range of tasks related to literacy skills, both it and the CAT aim to uncover difficulties in essential academic and life skills. Both tools rely on the direct responses of individuals, highlighting areas that may require further evaluation or intervention.
Similarly, the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) mirrors the CAT in its goal to screen for symptoms of depression in young individuals through self-reported items. Though the CDI focuses on mood and cognitions rather than speech attitudes, both inventories seek to identify internal experiences that could affect the individual's ability to function and engage with their environment effectively.
The Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC) is another parallel document, offering a comprehensive overview of a child’s behaviors and emotions. Like the CAT, BASC uses self-reports (alongside other reports) to gauge a wide range of psychological phenomena. While the BASC is broader in scope, covering behavioral, emotional, and adaptive functioning, the CAT zeroes in on communication attitudes, reflecting a more specific area of self-perception.
The Social Skills Improvement System (SSIS) Rating Scales also compare to the CAT by providing assessments of social skills, which indirectly relate to communication abilities. While SSIS focuses more broadly on social behaviors and competencies, the CAT specifically examines attitudes toward talking, highlighting the subjective experience of communication challenges or confidence.
The Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP) similarly assesses aspects of personal challenges in social interactions, albeit with a focus on conflicts and difficulties in interpersonal relationships rather than communication attitudes. Both the IIP and the CAT offer insights into personal perceptions that may influence behavior and social engagement, emphasizing the individual's internal experience.
Finally, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) resembles the CAT in its self-report format, designed to assess perceived support from various sources. Though the MSPSS evaluates the support domain, it shares with the CAT a focus on individual subjective experiences—specifically, how these perceptions affect one’s communication and interaction within their social network.
When completing the Communication Attitude Test A form, it's important to approach it with mindfulness and honesty. This tool, designed to assess feelings about communication, can provide insightful observations when approached correctly. Below are guidelines for what you should and shouldn't do while filling out this form.
Things You Should Do
Things You Shouldn't Do
Understanding the Communication Attitude Test (CAT-A) can sometimes be challenging due to widespread misconceptions. It is essential to correct these misunderstandings to ensure the test is used effectively and interpreted correctly.
The test measures a child’s communication skills: The CAT-A is designed to assess attitudes towards speaking, not the actual communication skills or abilities of the child. It aims to understand how children feel about their ability to communicate.
Only children with speech impediments need to take the test: While the test can be particularly useful for assessing the feelings of children with known speech difficulties, it can also provide insights into the communication attitudes of all children, including those without any identified speech issues.
A positive result indicates good communication skills: A positive result on the CAT-A indicates a positive attitude towards communication, not necessarily good communication skills. It’s about how children view their talking abilities, rather than an objective measure of those abilities.
The tests are only for clinical or therapeutic settings: While the CAT-A is valuable in clinical or therapeutic settings for diagnosing and treating speech-related concerns, educators and researchers can also use it in schools to understand children’s attitudes towards communication within an educational context.
Questions are focused on public speaking: The CAT-A covers a broad range of speaking situations, not just public speaking. It includes questions about talking in class, speaking with peers, and communicating with family members, aiming to capture a child’s overall attitude towards communication in various contexts.
There is a pass or fail outcome: The CAT-A does not have a pass or fail outcome. Responses provide a qualitative measure of a child’s feelings and attitudes about their communication, which needs to be interpreted within the context of each individual child’s experiences and environment.
The higher the score, the better: Because the CAT-A assesses attitudes rather than abilities, a higher score does not necessarily mean better. It simply indicates the child’s self-reported comfort or discomfort with speaking. Interpretation should consider the nuances of each response.
It’s a straightforward diagnostic tool: The CAT-A should not be used in isolation as a diagnostic tool. While it provides valuable insight into a child’s attitude towards communication, comprehensive assessments should also consider behavioral observations, speech evaluations, and other diagnostic tools.
Only speech therapists can administer the test: While speech therapists are indeed qualified to administer the CAT-A and interpret its results, the test’s straightforward format also allows educators and researchers to use it, provided they have a basic understanding of its purpose and limitations.
Correctly understanding the Communication Attitude Test A form is crucial for appropriately using it to its full potential and ensuring its results benefit the children taking it.
The Communication Attitude Test A form, also known as CAT-A, developed by Gene J. Brutten in 1985 and revised in 1997, is designed to assess an individual’s feelings about their own speech. Here are key takeaways regarding the use and interpretation of this assessment tool:
In summary, the Communication Attitude Test A form is a valuable instrument for professionals looking to understand and address issues related to speech and communication attitudes in individuals, especially children. Its straightforward format, coupled with its focused content, makes it an effective tool for a variety of settings and purposes.
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