Investigated the effects of labeling bias on prognostic outlook for children as a function of diagnostic labels and professional group membership. Studied the reaction of professionals to the description of an elementary-school-age boy with behavior problems. Effect for diagnostic label on judgment of overall adjustment approached significance.…

Children as young as third graders possess distinct attitudes toward the mentally ill. These attitudes are distinct from attitudes toward other disability groups. The existence and the nature of children's attitudes toward the mentally ill provide support of social labeling theory. (Author)