Effects of Suggestibility on Learning by Retarded and Nonretarded Students

Abstract

Mildly mentally retarded and nonretarded students (age range: 10 to 16 yr.), classified by groups according to low suggestibility, were exposed to positive, negative, or neutral suggestions concerning their performance on a paired-associate learning task. A split-plot design assessed interactions between variables of subjects' category and suggestibility and treatment conditions, such as suggestion provided and trials. Analyses of variance showed retarded students improved more. The data also suggested somewhat improved performance by subjects given a positive suggestion. The suggestibility of many retarded students may be used by trainers to facilitate faster learning of simple tasks, especially if positive performance suggestions are employed.