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.

https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/theses/05741t84s

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