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Anthropology and mental retardation: Research approaches and opportunities

Culture, Medicine and Psychiatry volume 8, pages 25–48 (1984)Cite this article

Abstract

Although mental retardation is largely a sociocultural phenomenon, anthropological interest in this field has been slow to develop. In recent years, anthropological concepts and methods have been used in study of the community adaptation of mentally retarded persons and societal reactions to them. As an illustration, research developments at the Mental Retardation Research Center, UCLA, are discussed. The need for expanded, collaborative research by social and biomedical scientists is examined. The research puzzles include the links between poverty, ethnicity, schools, families and mental retardation, as well as the nature of intelligence and adaptation.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Anthropology and Psychiatry, University of California, Los Angeles, USA

    Robert B. Edgerton

  2. Department Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, USA

    Robert B. Edgerton

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Edgerton, R.B. Anthropology and mental retardation: Research approaches and opportunities. Cult Med Psych 8, 25–48 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00053100

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Keywords

  • Mental Retardation
  • Collaborative Research
  • Research Approach
  • Research Development
  • Biomedical Scientist