Laterality and handedness in mentally retarded subjects.

In a study of 69 adults with mental retardation, atypical laterality measured on 12 tasks was only partially noted. Distribution of over-all laterality scores was different from that of handedness with more left-handed than left lateralized and more right manual preference among the 43 women.

Attentional memory and visualization strategies in mental additions.

To evaluate the role of attention, memory span, and visualization in the performance of additions carried out mentally, two blocks of mental additions, differing in difficulty were presented to 18 women and 18 men who recorded after the first block the strategy used for solution. The 24 subjects who did not spontaneously use a visual strategy (mentally putting digits into columns) were induced to adopt it for the second block of additions. Previously, the subjects' processing of visual images, memory for digit span, and resistance to distraction were assessed using imagery tasks, a Digit-span test, and the Stroop Color-Word test. Analysis showed that in the execution of mental addition use of different strategies did not influence significantly the performance on the easier items, whereas for more difficult calculations a nonvisual strategy appeared more effective. Subjects who had lower scores on visualization did worse if they spontaneously used a 'putting-into-columns' strategy or if induced to change a strategy and adopt a visual one.

Rorschach cognitive developmental indices of mentally retarded persons: a comparison with scores on Wechsler Intelligence Scale for children-revised.

In a sample of 55 mentally retarded subjects (M age = 14 yr., 1 mo.) the relations between some perceptual and cognitive Rorschach indices, including the Becker's Genetic Level Score, and Wechsler Scale scores were studied. The mean Developmental Score did not increase across ages and was higher for girls than for boys, while Verbal and Performance IQs were lower for girls. The correlations confirm the hypothesis that for mentally retarded persons WISC-R scaled scores and Rorschach cognitive indices are different measures of intellective functioning. The findings are discussed with reference to the assessment and rehabilitation of retarded subjects.

The Rorschach Egocentricity Index in subjects with intellectual disability: a study on the incidence of different psychological pathologies.

The aims of the present research were to assess the level of self-concern in people with intellectual disability using the Rorschach Egocentricity Index, to correlate the Index with other Rorschach and IQ variables, and to study the effect of associated psychological pathology. The Rorschach Inkblot Test and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale were administered to a group of 75 subjects with intellectual disability, aged between 18 and 38 years, who were divided into subgroups according to their additional diagnosis (i.e. personality disorders, psychosis and depression). A fourth subgroup was composed of people with intellectual disability but without other pathologies. The Egocentricity Index was very low in the subjects with intellectual disability and differences were a result of the effects of additional psychological pathologies. The meaning of the measurement of egocentricity in people with intellectual disability is discussed.