Mental Retardation - Psychosocial Causes

Some individuals show retardation even though nosocial learning are seen to be slow and below that
known genetic, hereditary, or physical cause canof the other children.
be found to account for it. Two clusters ofNumerous studies have tried to show the
characteristics that have proven to be convenientrelationship of low socioeconomic status to poor
descriptive categories, and which are related tolearning abilities. In a home environment lacking
the underlying cause of retardation, areadequate heating, water, or safety precautions,
psychosocial disadvantage and emotionalphysical health care may be minimal. Lack of
disturbance. Some children obviously fit oneexposure to intellectually stimulating opportunities
category, while others have characteristics ofand poor child-rearing practices may reduce the
both. In all cases the children evidence signs ofchild's ability to respond to learning experiences.
retardation, slow learning, and poor academicFamily tensions and pressures may create
performance.numerous obstacles to adequate interpersonal
Psychosocial disadvantage is diagnosed when fourrelationships.
criteria are present. First, the person mustEmotional disturbance can interfere with
function at a retarded level. Second, there musteducational performance. The child may be
be retardation within the immediate family. Third,withdrawn or excessively active. The more
no clear evidence of brain damage is present.severe the problem, the more likely that the
Fourth, the family background must includenormal processes of school attendance,
impoverished living, care, and nutrition. This kind ofhomework, and socialization will be disrupted.
retardation will probably not show up until the childRetardation in this case may be clearly due to
enters school, at which time the academic andemotional factors but is often difficult to assess.