Question 1

Prevalence estimates for mental retardation in children and adults are about _________ of the entire population.

Accepted Answer

Prevalence estimates for mental retardation in children and adults range from 1% to 3% of the entire population.

Question 2

Degeneracy theory attributed the intellectual and social problems of children with mental retardation to:

Accepted Answer

Degeneracy theory attributed intellectual and social problems of children with mental retardation to regression of an earlier period in human development. The theory suggested that people with mental retardation were less evolved than the rest of society and were evidence of degeneration. However, this theory has been discredited as it is not based on scientific evidence and is discriminatory towards people with intellectual disabilities.

Question 3

The AAIDD categorizes persons with mental retardation according to:

Accepted Answer

The AAIDD (American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities) categorizes individuals with intellectual disabilities based on the extent of support needed, rather than solely on cognitive impairment or deficits in adaptive or social functioning.

Question 4

To be diagnosed with mental retardation,a person must exhibit:

Accepted Answer

Mental retardation is diagnosed when there is both subaverage intellectual functioning and deficits in adaptive functioning. Subaverage intellectual functioning is defined as an IQ score below 70, and deficits in adaptive functioning involve difficulties with everyday life skills such as communication, self-care, and social skills. Genetic anomalies may contribute to mental retardation, but they are not required for the diagnosis.

Question 5

The most likely explanation for the discrepancy in IQ scores between blacks and whites in North America is:

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that economic and social inequalities, rather than genetic differences, are the primary explanation for the discrepancy in IQ scores between blacks and whites in North America. Factors such as poverty, lack of access to quality education, and discrimination have a significant impact on IQ test performance. Test bias can also play a role, but it is not the most likely explanation for the discrepancy. Studies have shown that when socioeconomic factors are controlled for, the IQ gap between blacks and whites decreases significantly.

Question 6

The majority of individuals with mental retardation are _________ retarded.

Accepted Answer

According to statistics, the majority of individuals with mental retardation have mild retardation, which means they have an IQ between 50-70. Only a small percentage have moderate, severe or profound retardation.

Question 7

The more severe forms of mental retardation are more likely due to __________ causes than is mild mental retardation.

Accepted Answer

Organic causes, such as genetic abnormalities, brain damage or dysfunction, and exposure to environmental toxins, are more likely to result in severe forms of mental retardation compared to mild mental retardation. Mild mental retardation is often due to cultural or familial factors, such as lack of access to education or poor parenting practices. Idiopathic causes refer to cases where the cause of the mental retardation is unknown.

Question 8

To be labeled with mental retardation,below average intellectual and adaptive abilities must:

Accepted Answer

Mental retardation, now referred to as intellectual disability, is diagnosed when below-average intellectual and adaptive functioning is present before the age of 18.

Question 9

The ___________ refers to the phenomenon that IQ scores have risen sharply since the beginning of IQ testing.

Accepted Answer

The phenomenon that IQ scores have risen sharply since the beginning of IQ testing is known as the Flynn Effect, named after researcher James Flynn who first documented the trend.

Question 10

In the DSM-IV-TR,the level of retardation,reflecting a child's degree of difficulty,is based upon:

Accepted Answer

In the DSM-IV-TR, the level of mental retardation is primarily based on the extent of cognitive impairment, which is typically measured by IQ scores.

Question 11

Subaverage intellectual functioning is defined as an IQ approximately:

Accepted Answer

Subaverage intellectual functioning is typically defined as an IQ score that is two or more standard deviations below the mean, which corresponds to an IQ score below 70. This is consistent with the definition of intellectual disability in the DSM-5, which requires both subaverage intellectual functioning (an IQ score or similar measure below 70-75) and limitations in adaptive functioning. The other answer choices are not accurate definitions of subaverage intellectual functioning. A) One standard deviation below the mean corresponds to an IQ score around 85-90, which is within the average range. C) A mental age of less than 10 years is not a standardized measure of intellectual functioning and cannot be used to diagnose intellectual disability. D) A mental age of less than 15 years is also not a standardized measure of intellectual functioning and cannot be used to diagnose intellectual disability.

Question 12

IQ scores among individuals without mental retardation are:

Accepted Answer

IQ scores are relatively stable throughout the lifespan with the exception of infancy, where there can be significant changes due to maturation and development. However, there can be slight fluctuations in scores due to normal variation and environmental factors, but overall, IQ scores are considered to be relatively stable.

Question 13

In comparison to the IQ scores of normally developing children,those of infants and children with developmental delays or mental retardation are:

Accepted Answer

The answer of In comparison to the IQ scores of...

Question 14

The ________ category of mental retardation has an overrepresentation of minority groups.

Accepted Answer

Mild mental retardation is often associated with socio-economic factors, leading to an overrepresentation of minority groups due to disparities in access to resources and opportunities.

Question 15

DSM-IV-TR criteria for mental retardation consists of subaverage intellectual functioning of _______or below and impairment in ________.

Accepted Answer

The DSM-IV-TR criteria for mental retardation (now referred to as intellectual disability in DSM-5) includes subaverage intellectual functioning of 70 or below (measured by an IQ test) and impairment in adaptive functioning, which refers to a person's ability to meet the demands of daily life, including conceptual, social, and practical skills. The other options are not accurate criteria for diagnosing mental retardation (intellectual disability).

Question 16

The rising of IQ scores is due to:

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that rising IQ scores can be attributed to a combination of factors including better nutrition, better schooling, and medical advances. Improved nutrition has led to healthier brains and better cognitive development. Better schooling has led to increased access to education which helps to develop cognitive skills like problem-solving and critical thinking. Medical advances like the availability of vaccines and treatments for illnesses have led to improved overall health and cognitive function. Together, these factors have contributed to the rise in IQ scores over time.

Question 17

Persons with profound mental retardation have an IQ level of:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Persons with profound mental retardation have an...

Question 18

During the eugenics movement,persons with mental retardation were considered:

Accepted Answer

During the eugenics movement, persons with mental retardation were considered a threat to society because they were believed to pass on their "feeble-mindedness" to future generations, leading to the deterioration of the gene pool. Eugenicists believed that the only solution was to prevent those with mental retardation from reproducing through forced sterilization or institutionalization.

Question 19

Individuals with mild mental retardation can usually acquire academic skills up to approximately the _______ grade level.

Accepted Answer

Individuals with mild mental retardation typically have an IQ range of 50-70, which is considered as the borderline for intellectual disability. They can acquire academic skills at a slower pace than typically developing peers, but can usually advance up to the sixth grade level. Beyond that, they may require extra support and accommodations to continue their education.

Question 20

Many persons with Down syndrome function at the _________ level of retardation.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Many persons with Down syndrome function at...

Quiz 9: Intellectual Disability Mental Retardation