Abstract
[Comments on E. Zigler’s Cognitive-Motivational Theory Concerning Cultural-Familial Mental Retardation]
A note is presented dealing with certain aspects of Zigler’s cognitive-motivational theory of mental retardation. First, Zigler’s distinction between difference and developmental theories of metal retardation a distinction that has usually been given much importance in Zigler’s writings is analysed and found remarkably subtile. Secondly, the data collected by Zigler in order to support his cognitive-motivational formulations with regard to cultural-familial mental retardation are examined. Zigler’s main thesis is that retardates do not perform up to the level of their normal peers, matched for mental age, because they have learned particular motivational patterns. However, this thesis has not received any empirical support so far Zigler’s methodological recommendation that motivational and personality variables should be taken more into account when comparing normal and retarded subjects is mentioned. However, Zigler’s exclusive focus on motivational factors in explaining the differences observed in cognitive tasks between retarded and normal children, matched for mental age, is questioned.