The social construction of mild mental retardation: a characterological response to poverty
Graduation Date
1995
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Other
Program
Thesis (M.A.)--Humboldt State University, Sociology, 1995
Committee Chair Name
Elizabeth Watson
Committee Chair Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Keywords
Psychological aspects, Poverty, Social aspects, Humboldt State University -- Theses -- Sociology, Mental retardation
Abstract
The relationship between poverty and mental retardation as a social pathology is demonstrated in this thesis. It attempts to explore the relationship be-tween growing up in chronic poverty and the development of a "characterological response". Pertinent literature on mental retardation brings together the findings of different theorists that address the relationship between the culture of poverty and what is termed "mild", "borderline", or "familial mental retardation". Retardation may be a "symptom" of a predictable response to particular environmental circumstances. The adaption to the experience of growing up in cultural poverty may develop into dysfunction or maladjustment that would be identified as mental retardation. The intense and prolonged frustration that evolves from the experience of chronic poverty may create a particular characterological response. This response may become institutionalized through cultural norms and transmitted across generations through such things as communication and parenting styles.
Recommended Citation
Abrams, Nancy C., "The social construction of mild mental retardation: a characterological response to poverty" (1995). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 2166.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/2166
https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/theses/05741t84s