Сharacteristics of understanding of verbal and nonverbal stimuli by the students with mild mental retardation

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the understanding of the text and images by teenagers with different level of intelligence with the help of eye tracking.The objects of the comparative study were graduates of schools with a varying degree of the intelligence decline (F83 – mixed specific disorders of psychological development and F70 – mild mental retardation). 85 subjects were participants. There were 49% boys and 51% girls. The specific features of the perception and understanding of the texts and images of different degree of visual complexity by pupils with mild mental retardation compared to their peers with specific disorders of mental development were identified. Surveyed both groups bring their own life experience in interpreting the plot. Students with mild mental retardation are more focused on the emotional aspect in the analysis of texts and images, on notions of security events. They demonstrate a lower level of cognitive development and volitional activity when viewing a stimulus of a high degree of visual complexity. Cognitive landmarks of peers with mixed specific disorders of psychological development to a greater extent associated with the identification of the main characters of the story and their actions, the concept of security of heroes are not fundamental in interpretation of the story by pupils.