title: Problem solving and strategy production in mentally retarded persons.
abstract: Three decades of research purportedly show that mentally retarded persons neither spontaneously produce nor generalize problem-solving strategies. These observations are often attributed to deficiencies in superordinate skills and knowledge that control or influence the use of problem-solving strategies. This review shows that mentally retarded persons are often strategic when comprehension of the task requirements is ensured, and that generalization can be obtained when instructional experience with multiple task exemplars is given. Superordinate, representational, and nonvolitional factors are implicated in the production and generalization of strategies by mentally retarded persons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Studies, University of Delaware, Newark 19716.
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Ferretti
mesh_terms: D003210:Concept Formation; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology*; D011340:Problem Solving