Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
1982
Abstract
Intellectually, the mentally retarded child is often characterized as being similar to the younger nonretarded child. This concept is implicit in the use of a "mental age" in standardized intelligence tests. The retarded adolescent who obtains a score comparable to that of the average 10 year old is said to have a mental age of 10. The term "retardation" itself denotes a slowing in development rather than any specific defect or deviation in the direction of development. Only approximately 15 percent of all retarded children have moderate to severe defects associated with some organic etiology. The remaining 85% are mildly retarded with etiologies associated with cultural, social, psychological or genetic factors (Philips, 1967). A similar etiological distinction was made by Strauss in 1939 in his exogenous-endogenous dichotomy.
Recommended Citation
Dekich, Judy C., "Memory for Meaning and Sound: A Test of the Developmental and Difference Theories of Mental Retardation." (1982). All ETDs from UAB. 7086.
https://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/etd-collection/7086
Comments
MA - Master of Arts; ProQuest publication number 31752006