The structure of sensorimotor intelligence in severely and profoundly mentally handicapped children
The structure of sensorimotor intelligence in severely and profoundly mentally handicapped children
The nature of sensorimotor development in severely mentally handicapped children is poorly understood. The aim of the study reported in this thesis is to investigate the structure of sensorimotor intelligence in this population.
The Uzgiris-Hunt (1975) Scales were employed in a Piagetian approach to the assessment of severely mentally handicapped children. The results suggested deficits in imitation, and object permanence in their profile of abilities, relative to normal infants. Evidence is presented that these results were not a simple reflection of the subjects' motor handicaps, nor were they a function of institutionalisation. It appears that sensorimotor intelligence in the severely mentally handicapped is qualitatively different from that of non-retarded infants.
A pilot-training study in vocal and gestural imitation and object permanence with a small group of subjects, was carried out. It was possible to train gestural imitation and object permanence, but no improvement occurred in vocal imitation.
These findings are consistent with a difference position on the nature of severe mental handicap, since a fundamental departure from the normal course of development is demonstrated.
University of Southampton
Macpherson, Fiona Devall
2c1c6b25-c333-44fb-9808-41b136bf691e
1984
Macpherson, Fiona Devall
2c1c6b25-c333-44fb-9808-41b136bf691e
Butterworth, George
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Macpherson, Fiona Devall
(1984)
The structure of sensorimotor intelligence in severely and profoundly mentally handicapped children.
University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis, 324pp.
Record type:
Thesis
(Doctoral)
Abstract
The nature of sensorimotor development in severely mentally handicapped children is poorly understood. The aim of the study reported in this thesis is to investigate the structure of sensorimotor intelligence in this population.
The Uzgiris-Hunt (1975) Scales were employed in a Piagetian approach to the assessment of severely mentally handicapped children. The results suggested deficits in imitation, and object permanence in their profile of abilities, relative to normal infants. Evidence is presented that these results were not a simple reflection of the subjects' motor handicaps, nor were they a function of institutionalisation. It appears that sensorimotor intelligence in the severely mentally handicapped is qualitatively different from that of non-retarded infants.
A pilot-training study in vocal and gestural imitation and object permanence with a small group of subjects, was carried out. It was possible to train gestural imitation and object permanence, but no improvement occurred in vocal imitation.
These findings are consistent with a difference position on the nature of severe mental handicap, since a fundamental departure from the normal course of development is demonstrated.
Text
Macpherson 1984 Thesis
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Published date: 1984
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 460454
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/460454
PURE UUID: 4b90244b-ebfc-4dc7-8116-83757a9178e9
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Date deposited: 04 Jul 2022 18:22
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 18:39
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Contributors
Author:
Fiona Devall Macpherson
Thesis advisor:
George Butterworth
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