Social information processing in mild mentally retarded children.

This study examined the social information processing (SIP) skills of mild mentally retarded (MR) children using Dodge's model. Six sets of pictures depicting provocation situations were used to elicit measures of accuracy of interpretation to accidental and hostile cues, attribution of ambiguous cues, and hostile and nonhostile behavior responses to all three types of cues. MR children were compared to nonretarded groups matched for chronological age (CA-matched) and mental age (MA-matched) on these variables. Compared to both nonretarded groups, the MR group was less accurate in interpretation of accidental cues and more hostile in their responses to the ambiguous cues. The latter finding remained even after partialing out externalizing behavior problems. The results are discussed in terms of factors associated with SIP skills, and the assessment and treatment of MR children.