DISCRIMINATION OF SIZE, FORM AND ORDER IN MONGOL AND OTHER MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN

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Abstract
Mongol (136), non-mongol subnormal (129) and normal children (152) were tested in a series of experiments to determine visual discrimination and perceptual skills in size, form and order. Possible differences in strategies and behavior in the groups, particularly in the mongol group were demonstrated. There was no significant difference in performance when extraneous developmental factors were eliminated in the 3 groups matched on mental age [MA]. Poor short-term memory for visual stimuli in terms of size, form and order is a characteristic weakness of subnormal groups. No relationship was found between MA and visual perceptual tasks in any group. Apparently perceptual skills develop independently. A distinctive form of perseveration and a related and clearly marked tendency to order reversal was discovered in the mongol group.