Recognition of facial expressions of emotion by persons with mental retardation
McAlpine, C.; Kendall, K.A.; Singh, N.N.
American Journal of Mental Retardation Ajmr 96(1): 29-36
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0895-8017 PMID: 1878186 Document Number: 373724
A sample of 511 children and adults with mental retardation or borderline intelligence (1 SD below the mean IQ) and children of average intelligence were tested on their ability to recognize the six basic facial expressions of emotion as they are exemplified in Ekman and Friesen's (1975) normed photographs. Each subject was shown four sets of six photographs, one of each emotion. Subjects were read 24 short stories; after each one they were asked to point to the photograph that depicted the emotion described. Children and adults with mental retardation or borderline intelligence were less proficient at identifying facial expressions of emotion than were children of average intelligence. Among individuals with mental retardation or borderline intelligence, recognition of accuracy of facial emotion increased with IQ. Among individuals with average intelligence, recognition accuracy increased with age.