This paper reviews research data concerned with social and emotional adjustment characteristics of mildly retarded children and adolescents. Contrary to a number of statements appearing in various texts and review articles, little is known concerning the type and frequency of occurrence of behavior adjustment problems among the mildly retarded. In addition, there is no suitable evidence to indicate that the adjustment level of special class children is superior to that of retarded children attending regular grades.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AinsworthS. H.An exploratory study of educational, social and emotional factors in the education of mentally retarded children in Georgia public schools.Athens: University of Georgia, 1959.
2.
BaldwinK. C.The social position of the educable mentally retarded child in the regular grades in the public schools.Exceptional Children, 1958, 25, 106–108, 112.
3.
BeierD. C.Behavioral disturbances in the mentally retarded. In StevensH. A., and HeberR. (Editors), Mental retardation: a review of research.Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1964. Pp. 453–487.
4.
BlattB.The physical, personality, and academic status of children who are mentally retarded attending special classes as compared with children who are mentally retarded attending regular classes.American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 1958, 62, 810–818.
5.
CassidyViola M., and StantonJeanette E.An investigation of factors involved in the educational placement of mentally retarded children.Columbus: Ohio State University, 1959.
6.
ChazanM.The incidence and nature of maladjustment among children in schools for the educationally subnormal.British Journal of Educational Psychology, 1964, 34, 292–304.
7.
EllenbogenM. L.A comparative study of some aspects of academic and social adjustment of two groups of mentally retarded children in special classes and in regular grades. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Northwestern University, 1957.
8.
EnosF. A.Emotional adjustment of mentally retarded children.American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 1961, 65, 606–609.
9.
FoaleM.The special difficulties of the high grade mental defective adolescent.American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 1956, 60, 867–877.
10.
GarrisonK. C., and ForceD. G.Jr.The psychology of exceptional children. (Fourth edition) New York: Ronald Press, 1965.
11.
HeberR.Research on personality disorders and characteristics of the mentally retarded.Mental Retardation Abstracts, 1964, 1, 304–325.
12.
HinkelmanE. A.Intellectual level and personality adjustment.Elementary School Journal, 1951, 52, 31–35.
13.
HorrochsJ. E.Assessment of behavior.Columbus, Ohio: Charles E. Merrill Books, 1964.
14.
HuttM. L., and GibbyR. G.The mentally retarded child. (Second edition) Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1965.
15.
ItkinW.The Chicago adjustment rating scales.Chicago: Chicago Board of Education, 1960.
16.
ItkinW., BrauerI., and RichardsE.A behavior checklist for the personality evaluation of educable mentally handicapped children.Chicago: Chicago Board of Education, 1960.
17.
JohnsonG. O.A study of the social position of mentally handicapped children in the regular grades.American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 1950, 55, 60–89.
18.
JohnsonG. O.A comparative study of the personal and social adjustment of mentally handicapped children placed in special classes with mentally handicapped children who remain in regular classes.Syracuse, New York: Syracuse University, 1961.
19.
JohnsonG. O.Psychological characteristics of the mentally retarded. In CruickshankW. M. (Editor), Psychology of exceptional children and youth.(Second edition) Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1963. Pp. 448–483. (a)
20.
JohnsonG. O.Special education for the mentally handicapped—a paradox.Exceptional Children, 1963, 29, 62–69. (b)
21.
JohnsonG. O., and KirkS. A.Are mentally handicapped children segregated in the regular grades?Journal of Exceptional Children, 1950, 17, 65–68, 87-88.
22.
JordanA. M.Personal-social traits of mentally handicapped children. In Thur-stoneThelma G., An evaluation of educating mentally handicapped children in special classes and in regular classes.Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina, 1959. Pp. 149–179.
23.
KernW. H., and PfaeffleH.A comparison of social adjustment of mentally retarded children in various educational settings.American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 1963, 67, 407–413.
24.
KlausmeierH. J., and CheckJ.Relationships among physical, mental, achievement, and personality measures in children of low, average, and high intelligence at 113 months of age.American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 1959, 63, 1059–1068.
25.
LappEster R.A study of the social adjustment of slow-learning children who were assigned part-time to regular classes.American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 1957, 62, 254–262.
26.
LurieL. A.Conduct disorders of intellectually subnormal children.American Journal of Psychiatry, 1937, 93, 1025–1038.
27.
MillerR. V.Social status and socioempathic differences.Exceptional Children, 1956, 23, 114–119.
28.
MullenFrances A., and ItkinW.Achievement and adjustment of educable mentally handicapped children in special classes and in regular grades.Chicago: Chicago Board of Education, 1961.
SarasonS. B., and GladwinT.Psychological and cultural problems in mental subnormality: a review of research.American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 1958, 62, 1113–1307.
31.
SimsV. M.In review of California Test of Personality. In BurosO. K. (Editor), The fifth mental measurements yearbook.Highland Park, New Jersey: Gryphon Press, 1959. Pp. 102–103.
32.
TrippeM. J., McCaffreyIsabel, DempseyP., and DowningJ. J.The school-excluded mentally retarded child.American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 1959, 63, 1005–1009.