The Experimental Psychology of Mental Retardation

This book explores psychological processes related to mental retardation, offering insights into learning, memory, and emotional factors. The Experimental Psychology of Mental Retardation connects theory with practical applications.

The field of mental retardation has seen significant advancements since World War II, marked by both research breakthroughs and a renewed focus on the challenges faced by individuals with mental disabilities. One notable contribution to this discourse was the 1958 monograph by Masland, Sarason, and Gladwin, titled Mental Subnormality: Biological, Psychological, and Cultural Factors, which catalyzed much behavioral research in the late 1950s. Similarly, the 1963 publication of the Handbook of Mental Deficiency, edited by Norman Ellis, provided theoretical guidance for numerous studies that followed, shaping the trajectory of research in this area.

The present work, based on a symposium, aims to build upon these foundational texts by presenting research that is both theory-driven and programmatic. It strives to enhance the scientific understanding of the psychological processes associated with mental retardation. The final chapter of The Experimental Psychology of Mental Retardation draws connections between this research and practical applications in assessment and intervention strategies for individuals with mental disabilities.

The experimental approaches discussed within this book often utilize traditional laboratory tasks, such as classical conditioning and discrimination learning. However, the primary focus lies on the underlying psychological processes rather than on superficial outcomes. Topics explored include learning, attention, memory, language, thinking, and emotion, culminating in a discussion of how these cognitive processes relate to the biological underpinnings of retardation. This comprehensive examination provides valuable insights into both the theoretical and practical dimensions of mental retardation research.