Comparisons of Abstraction Ability in Retardates and in Patients with Cerebral Lesions

ION: RETARDATION VS. LESION 329 disease to seek medical attention included headaches, occasional convulsive seizures, nuchal rigidity, peripheral numbness, a sudden period of unconsciousness, and episodes of slurred speech, dizziness, and blurred vision. None of the Ss in either group was acutely ill at the time of psychological testing. Each S was able to come to the psychology laboratory for examination and showed evidence during the examination of adequate sensory and motor function to perform the task. Twelve of the 20 Ss with recent brain damage had operative lesions. Four were examined pre-operatively and 8 following surgery. Those Ss on whom surgery had been performed were tested after the acute effects were alleviated and discharge from the hospital was impending. Age, sex, and Wechsler-Bellewe IQ characteristics of the rwo groups are presented in Table 1. While the groups differed significantly in mean age, all Ss (except one in the group with recent brain damage) were beyond 16 yr. of age. TABLE 1 MEANS AND STANDARD DEVIATIONS FOR CHRONOLOGICAL AGE AND WECHSLER-BELLEVUE FULL SCALE IQ FOR GROUPS COMPARED ON THE HALSTEAD CATEGORY TEST