Pupils' knowledge of mental handicap: a study of second year pupils in a British comprehensive school.
As a prelude to an awareness course in mental handicap an exploration was made of the relevant cultural knowledge of pupils in the second year of a comprehensive school. The study is in two parts. The first consists of a description of how gender differences emerged as an important theme in interviews with one class of pupils. In the second part the findings of a questionnaire study of 179 second year pupils are described and commented upon. Information was obtained on their experience, images and knowledge of and feelings about mental handicap. Their views on integration could be categorized under five headings (i) a productive learning experience for mentally handicapped pupils (ii) benefits to 'normal' pupils (iii) the need for a special environment (iv) being 'picked on' (v) not a productive learning experience for either party. Boy/girl differences were noted in responses to certain questions. In the discussion section, the implications for the curriculum are drawn out in relation to gender differences, pupils' existing knowledge of mental handicap, pupils' views on the important topic of integration, and language awareness.
Quicke
J C
JC
Division of Education, University of Sheffield, England.
D002648:Child; D003479:Curriculum; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000193:education; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008282:Mainstreaming, Education; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D012938:Social Perception; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*