According to research, people who stammer develop negative feelings about themselves as a result of other people's reactions. This includes being teased and bullied at school, being left out of activities, listening to mindless remarks and reactions in day-to-day interactions, whether socializing at school or work; having someone hang up the phone, leaving in the middle of a conversation, or people assuming you are nervous.

Society’s reaction to stammering is negative and this feeds the assumption that it is wrong to stammer. PWS are even used as comic relief in stand-up comedies and movies.