Abstract
Eighteen profoundly retarded males were pretested for the ability to recognize their mirrored and photographic images. Nine subjects were then given mirror training for 10 min daily on 13 consecutive days. Posttest results indicated no improvement in recognition as measured. These findings are similar to those reported by Pechacek, Bell, Cleland, Baum, and Boyle (1973) indicating that (1) profoundly mentally retarded males rank somewhat below adolescent chimpanzees (e.g., Gallup, 1970) and orangutans (Lethmate & Ducker, cited in Gallup, Boren, Gagliardi, & Wallnau, in press) in the ability to make “self-directed” responses to their mirrored images; and (2) mirror training does not transfer to self-photograph discrimination for which comparative data are unavailable.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Boulanger-Balleyguier, G. Premieres reactions devant le miroir. Enfance, 1964, 17, 51–67.
Gallup, G. G., Jr. Mirror-image stimulation. Psychological Bulletin, 1968, 70, 782–793.
Gallup, G. G., Jr. Chimpanzees: Self-recognition. Science, 1970, 176, 86–87.
Gallup, G. G., Jr. Towards an operational definition of self- awareness. In R. H. Tuttle (Ed.), Socio-ecology and psychology of primates. The Hague, Netherlands: Mouton, 1975.
Gallup, G. G., Jr. Absence of self-recognition in a monkey (Macaca fascicularis) following prolonged exposure to a mirror. Developmental Psychobiology, in press.
Gallup, G. G., Jr., Boren, J. L., Gagliardi, G. J., & Wallnau, L. B. A mirror for the mind of man, or will the chimpanzee create an identity crisis for Homo sapiens. Journal of Human Evolution, in press.
Gallup, G. G., Jr., McClure, M. K., Hill, S. D., & Bundy, R. A. Capacity for self-recognition in differentially reared chimpanzees. Psychological Record, 1971, 21, 69–74.
Gellert, E., Girgus, J. S., & Cohen, J. Children’s awareness of their body appearance: A developmental study of factors associated with the body percept. Genetic Psychology Monographs, 1971, 84, 109–174.
Gesell, A., & Ames, L. B. The infant’s reaction to his mirror image. Journal of Genetic Psychology, 1947, 70, 141–154.
Pechacek, T. F., Bell, K. F., Cleland, C. C., Baum, C., & Boyle, M. Self-recognition in profoundly retarded males. Bulletin of the Psychonomic Society, 1973, 1, 328–330.
Shentoub, S. a., Soulairac, A., & Rustin, E. Compartement de I’enfant arriéré devant le mirior. Enfance, 1955, 7, 333–340.
Stone, L. J., & Church, J. Childhood and adolescence: A psychology of the growing person (2nd ed). New York: Random, 1968.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The author wishes to acknowledge the critical assistance provided by Charles C. Cleland, Professor of Special Education and Educational Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, and the residents, staff, and administrators of the Travis State School, particularly L. E. Birdsong, III, Unit Director, and Loyce Reese, Building Charge. This paper is sponsored by Gordon G. Gallup, Jr., who takes full editorial responsibility for its content.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Harris, L.P. Self-recognition among institutionalized profoundly retarded males: A replication. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 9, 43–44 (1977). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03336923
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03336923