Culture and Retardation

Life Histories of Mildly Mentally Retarded Persons in American Society

Nonfiction, Health & Well Being, Medical, Reference, Public Health, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Anthropology
Cover of the book Culture and Retardation by , Springer Netherlands
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9789400937116
Publisher: Springer Netherlands Publication: December 6, 2012
Imprint: Springer Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9789400937116
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Publication: December 6, 2012
Imprint: Springer
Language: English

Mental retardation in the United States is currently defined as " ... signif­ icantly subaverage general intellectual functioning existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior, and manifested during the development period" (Grossman, 1977). Of the estimated six million plus mentally retarded individuals in this country fully 75 to 85% are considered to be "func­ tionally" retarded (Edgerton, 1984). That is, they are mildly retarded persons with no evident organic etiology or demonstrable brain pathology. Despite the relatively recent addition of adaptive behavior as a factor in the definition of retardation, 1.0. still remains as the essential diagnostic criterion (Edgerton, 1984: 26). An 1.0. below 70 indicates subaverage functioning. However, even such an "objective" measure as 1.0. is prob­ lematic since a variety of data indicate quite clearly that cultural and social factors are at play in decisions about who is to be considered "retarded" (Edgerton, 1968; Kamin, 1974; Langness, 1982). Thus, it has been known for quite some time that there is a close relationship between socio-economic status and the prevalence of mild mental retardation: higher socio-economic groups have fewer mildly retarded persons than lower groups (Hurley, 1969). Similarly, it is clear that ethnic minorities in the United States - Blacks, Mexican-Americans, American Indians, Puerto Ricans, Hawaiians, and others - are disproportionately represented in the retarded population (Mercer, 1968; Ramey et ai., 1978).

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Mental retardation in the United States is currently defined as " ... signif­ icantly subaverage general intellectual functioning existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior, and manifested during the development period" (Grossman, 1977). Of the estimated six million plus mentally retarded individuals in this country fully 75 to 85% are considered to be "func­ tionally" retarded (Edgerton, 1984). That is, they are mildly retarded persons with no evident organic etiology or demonstrable brain pathology. Despite the relatively recent addition of adaptive behavior as a factor in the definition of retardation, 1.0. still remains as the essential diagnostic criterion (Edgerton, 1984: 26). An 1.0. below 70 indicates subaverage functioning. However, even such an "objective" measure as 1.0. is prob­ lematic since a variety of data indicate quite clearly that cultural and social factors are at play in decisions about who is to be considered "retarded" (Edgerton, 1968; Kamin, 1974; Langness, 1982). Thus, it has been known for quite some time that there is a close relationship between socio-economic status and the prevalence of mild mental retardation: higher socio-economic groups have fewer mildly retarded persons than lower groups (Hurley, 1969). Similarly, it is clear that ethnic minorities in the United States - Blacks, Mexican-Americans, American Indians, Puerto Ricans, Hawaiians, and others - are disproportionately represented in the retarded population (Mercer, 1968; Ramey et ai., 1978).

More books from Springer Netherlands

Cover of the book Critical Pedagogy for Early Childhood and Elementary Educators by
Cover of the book Landscapes and Landforms of Brazil by
Cover of the book Advances in Bifurcation and Degradation in Geomaterials by
Cover of the book Understanding Radioactive Aerosols and Their Measurement by
Cover of the book Dynamics of Ocean Tides by
Cover of the book Groups, Rules and Legal Practice by
Cover of the book Resource-Sensitivity, Binding and Anaphora by
Cover of the book Handbook of Descriptive Linguistic Fieldwork by
Cover of the book The Cold War Politics of Genetic Research by
Cover of the book Honeybee Neurobiology and Behavior by
Cover of the book Carbon Sequestration in Urban Ecosystems by
Cover of the book Immunological Aspects of Mammalian Reproduction by
Cover of the book The Argument of Mathematics by
Cover of the book Contradictions of Neoliberal Planning by
Cover of the book The Measurement and Analysis of Housing Preference and Choice by
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy