Information Processing in Mentally Retarded Individuals

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews a general stage model to reflect the various mental operations that comprise performance when a subject is rapidly processing visually presented stimuli. The memory research is based on paradigms substantially different from the information processing research. Changes may occur with development, but the crucial point is that the changes are not under the control of the individual. Tasks tapping central processes display varying results. The retarded perform similar to equal-MA control groups, indicating that the performance difference is because of the developmental immaturity rather than low intelligence. Non-retarded individuals display differential performance adjustments when variables affecting central processes or response processes are manipulated. Several intelligence X treatment interactions observed in tasks tapping central processes disappear when MA-matched controls are employed. Others are eliminated when experimental controls for differential familiarity with the stimuli are introduced. The results suggest that the retarded are characterized by a lag in the development of certain central processes structural defect in their processing systems. The performance differences in tasks tapping response processes are because of a developmental lag.