The author describes the education of exceptional children and gives fair warning that they, too, are our children and will be in all our classes in the near future. (Editor)

Labeling is a social process involving the labeled individual and society. Labeling a student "gifted" can have both positive and negative effects on the labeled student, the student's parents, siblings, teachers, and others. Suggestions are offered to maximize the positive elements of the label and to minimize its negative elements. (JDD)

Based on the "Showcase" presentation of the Division for Physical and Health Disabilities at the 1997 Convention of the Council for Exceptional Children. Addresses the different labels of individuals with disabilities and the history and future of educating children with physical and health disabilities. (CR)

Three experiments tested the hypothesis that comparison information about other people's stereotypic beliefs is used to validate personal beliefs about a target group. A simple manipulation of questionnaire items and their response scales, presented as part of a political opinion survey, served as social comparison information regarding beliefs…

Although attractive people are often assumed to have many socially desirable characteristics, observers also attribute certain negative traits to them (i.e., more snobbish, more materialistic, more likely to be unfaithful). To examine whether unattractive people would be seen as more machiavellian (having more negative traits) and whether…

This study focuses on the impact of age on interpersonal evaluation of persons, particularly the elderly as individuals and not as a group. Using a 75-year-old target and a 23-year-old target, the experimenter predicted and found support for the idea that personal information contained in a transcript would evoke sympathy, and thereby lead…

Current educational trends and recent legislation have mandated that all children be educated, regardless of their exceptionality. In this article, the author, consultant in special education for the state of Idaho, discussed some of the current issues, questions, and concerns relating to exceptionality. (Author/RK)

Details the responses of young, urban, college-educated people on their attitudes toward homosexuals, specifically focusing on issues of public identification and negative labeling as it effects homosexual persons and their behaviors. (Author/RK)

Considered stereotype change within a framework of dual process models. Using three experiments, manipulated task involvement, source credibility, and message quality. Findings proved dual process as appropriate when considering the processing of stereotype-disconfirming information and processing's impact on existing stereotypes. Different…

Analysis of a sample of 84 speech acts in everyday discourse referring to mental retardation identified four themes: (1) the discourse of category membership, (2) the dichotomy of normal and abnormal, (3) issues of place and space, and (4) fear. Results suggest how speech acts construct mental retardation and devalue individuals with the label.…

The paper examines the sociological processes evidenced by Western and non-Western cultures in labeling persons as mentally retarded. A historical overview, examination of current definitions, and analysis of cross-cultural studies are presented. It was determined that, although mental retardation is universally recognized, its cognition,…

Perspectives concerning William Rhodes' philosophy and his 1975 predictions about the mental health system are offered. Rhodes characterized the traditional mental health system as one that suppresses individuality in the interests of social control. On the other hand, in innovative progressional institutions, power is shared by providers with…

An individual with a developmental disability discusses self-advocacy, involvement with the American Association on Mental Retardation, dislike of the term "mental retardation," the need for such organizations to work more closely with people who have disabilities, and the need for such organizations and society at large to be more…

Describes studies that investigate how labeling and stigmatization of the elderly might contribute to behavior that would confirm prevalent stereotypes of old age and lead to lowered self esteem and diminished feelings of control. Also discusses suggested strategies for social change. (Author/GC)

Present-day prognosis of the outcome of psychosexual therapy is so uncertain that it is ethically unjust either to force individuals into therapy or to deny it to them. Presented at the annual convention of the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy, San Francisco, 13 December 1975. (Author)