Recognition memory in mentally retarded persons

The continuous recognition memory of retarded and normal subjects was assessed. The stimuli were magazine pictures, arranged so that lags of up to 250 pictures occured. The overall performance of the retarded subjects was poorer, in terms of hit rate or d′. However, the differences were present at 0 lag and the slopes of the forgetting curves were similar in both groups. It was concluded that differences between these subjects were due to a perception related process and not to memory.     

The Zeigarnik effect in a sample of mentally retarded persons

A conceptual replication of the well known Zeigarnik effect was attempted with persons who had organic brain dysfunction. Data from a sample of 56 mentally retarded persons showed a significant difference in the recall of uncompleted versus completed tasks, thus establishing the Zeigarnik effect in that population.     

The role of the clergy in serving the mentally retarded

Conclusion The clergyman, by at times being reflective, supportive, sometimes confrontational, and educative, is uniquely equipped to bring solace and hope to the retarded and their families (to quote Mostrom), recognizing that by providing a ray of hope, a way out, a meaningful answer, he can realistically show both the darkness and light—the truth that this child is also a child of God. In an age in which there is a crisis in moral, ethical, and spiritual values, are not the retarded a magnificent example of ways in which compassion, understanding, and helpfulness can enrich all of our lives? In a letter to me, Mr. Mostrom writes that others can give technical answers, but the clergy can give support essential to the family by walking along side of the retarded and their families, listening, understanding, showing that they care, and so giving strength and encouragement.Charlos C. Borgman, who had been a member of the Board of Trustees, Executive Vice-President, and Treasurer of the Academy of Religion and Mental Health before 1972, became a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Vice-President of the Institutes of Religion and Health after the merging of the Academy into the newly-formed Institutes. His many administrative and advisory services to national and international organizations serving people now include the folowing: American Field Service Scholarships, Inc., Chairman of its International Council; Public Corporation for Mental Health, Special Advisor; Silver Hill Foundation, member of the Board of Managers; the President's Committee on Mental Retardation, Special Advisor.This article is an expansion of an address Mr. Bergman delivered at the Second Pan-American Congress on Mental Retardation held in Panama City, Aust 2 24–29, 1975.     

Vocational counselling of mentally retarded young adults

Vocational counselling was given to a sample of mentally retarded young adults attending an Adult Training Centre. Counselling proved effective in the following areas: the dissemination of occupational information to the trainees; the development of trainees' vocational interests; the encouragement of trainees to express personal preoccupations; and the contribution to trainees' comprehension of the vocational and social aspects of their lives in the training centre. Counselling was too short to succeed in effecting a basic change of attitudes towards work. It is recommended that vocational counselling should be an integral part of any rehabilitation programme for retarded adults.     

Patterns of imitation in mentally retarded children

Abstract.— In this report, the interchange theory of imitation was extended to mentally retarded children. Retardates were expected to observe and copy adults, using external cues and internal controls as aids. In Experiment I external cues were studied. Twenty-four speaking and 24 non-speaking retardates were paired with adults who gave half the children instructions to copy and the other half additional verbal and gestural cues. Non-speaking retardates receiving frequent cues attended and copied better than those getting initial instructions, gestural cues being equally or more effective than verbal ones. Speaking retardates getting repeated cues finished copying sooner than those getting only instructions, verbal and gestural cues being equally effective. In Experiment II internal controls over appropriate imitation were studied. Twenty-two retardates were trained to sit, observe and copy their teachers in a two-month program. Training was evaluated in situations where copying or playing was signalled. Overall, children attended and copied more in the appropriate situation. However, sitting, attention, and copying increased non-specifically in both situations, and initial situational differences in copying were not observed after treatment. The interchange theory was revised, and implications for attention-deficit and verbal self-control theories were discussed. Notions of "generalized imitation" were criticized.     

Treatment rights of the mentally retarded: The cost of refusal

The cost of the mentally retarded client's rights to refuse treatment, in both monetary and human terms, varies under different legal/clinical circumstances. The process of placing severely retarded clients into the community with poor or no supervision, especially those who refuse or are denied treatment, can result in devastating costs for the client and others. The complexities associated with mental retardation require sophisticated treatment considerations. Moreover, these clients often need guidance in making meaningful decisions relevant to their quality of life. In order for this process to produce desirable results, for both the mentally retarded client and society, in general, a balance must be struck between the legal and clinical factors involved.     

Visual perseveration in normal and mentally retarded children

Visual perseveration was investigated within mentally retarded and second, fifth, and eighth grade normal children (Ns = 12 each group). Subjects matched an auditorially presented click to the onset and offset of visually presented stimuli. Time differences between visual stimulus offset and the point at which subjects reported simultaneity of the click and visual stimulus offset was assumed to reflect visual perseveration. Results showed: (a) no differences between the normal children as a function of age; (b) no difference between groups for stimuli of 100 msec. or longer duration; and (c) retarded subjects judged stimuli of 20 and 50 msec. to be of shorter duration than did normal subjects. This highly specific distinction between retarded and normal subjects suggests a difference in an early stage of perceptual processing.     

An ethical excursion through labeling the mentally retarded

Review of a representative body of research data concerning the effects of the “mentally retarded” (MR) label on parents, teachers, college students, nonretarded children, communities, and persons labeled fails to support the extravagant claim of some investigators that the labeling process has psychologically damaging effects upon the individuals labeled as well as society. Negative reactions to labels could be minimized by extensive public education and counseling. Labels should be retained as formal instruments essential to establishing the eligibility of the retarded for special assistance, and for maintenance of communication within and between disciplines, without which contemporary society could not operate. An argument for the judicious use of labels is fashioned, recommending replacement of the MR label by “AD” (adaptively deficient), in keeping with the modern view of mental retardation as a psychosocial challenge deemphasizing IQ and requiring adjustment of the whole personality to demands of a complex environment (e.g., coping skill, motivation). Parents, teachers, friends, employers, and public officials could support the AD's struggle to effectively participate in community life by promoting the perennial values of respect for human dignity, fairness, equality, autonomy, and compassion. As a result of monitoring the success of such programs in all settings, public policy administrators could formulate rational approaches to improvement of service programs in the national interest.