Effects of "mentally retarded" on clinical judgement of 372 psychologists were examined. Results revealed that the label resulted in ratings of less severity of psychopathology, first treatment choices more behavioral in nature, and attributions of greater importance to the client's level of intellectual functioning in the assessment process.…

Two comments respond to an R. P. Hastings article on labeling of individuals with mental retardation. The first comment notes that diagnoses should not be used as labels but as identifications of disorders a person has. The second comment calls for people to come forth with synonyms for "mental retardation" that will not immediately be stigmatic.…

American Indian symbols are used extensively as logos, mascots, nicknames, and trademarks. These images identify postsecondary as well as secondary academic institutions, professional sports franchises, commercial products, and geographic locations. Over the past few decades, efforts have been directed at eliminating or at least reducing the use…

As a resource specialist in a middle school in Oakland, California, the author worked with many students who were labeled "learning disabled." Contrary to the label, these students were critical of the world and challenged it in brilliant ways that have forever changed the author's life perspective. To highlight the impact that cultural…

This paper illuminates a period of change in the lives of a group of 20 vocational lecturers as they find themselves challenged by both their own and others' categorisation of what and who they are. Such conflicting perspectives are made even starker by their management's introduction of technological innovation into the lecturers' traditional…

This paper reports a study exploring the personal and educational experiences of Greek students with dyslexia in higher education. Interviews with 16 students with dyslexia (11 male and five female) were conducted to investigate how they experienced school, peer relations, labelling, family support, university, self-esteem and how they made their…

For undergraduate engineering students, development of an engineering identity is an important outcome of their education as they progress towards their professional selves. This process is reflected in engineering colleges' frequent practice of referring to engineering students as "engineers" (even in the earliest days following matriculation) in…

It is essential for a school public relations professional to be familiar with disability competency as it relates to counseling programs within the schools and community. This article is an introduction to disability competency in such settings. The initial discussion highlights a historical perspective of the treatment of persons with…

When children come to school, they bring with them a common thread they all have their individual names. Children from minority cultures, however, often encounter difficulties for being different; one obvious difference can be their given names. Names that are unfamiliar to other children may cause social tension or ridicule when a teacher calls…

The author, a student with learning problems, relates incidents from first grade to high school which point out the negative effects of labeling. (SBH)

Within each of 4 adult groups, some Ss subscribed to the developmental position and some to the difference position of mental retardation. Strong labeling effects were found among adult proponents of the difference position but not among developmentalists as well as among groups with relatively little professional experience. (CL)

The adjective "brown" is more accurately descriptive and less emotionally laden than "black." Americans should adopt "brown" for use as a racial referent to people of African descent. (KH)

In a study involving 40 nonhandicapped preschoolers, the child's sex and the interaction between sex and label did not influence performance ratings, test scores, or the examiners' verbal behavior. The label "developmentally delayed," however had a negative impact on children's test scores and performance ratings. (Author/CL)

Ten brief biographical case studies of famous men who were considered learning handicapped as children are presented to make the point that labels are often erroneously applied. (KC)

Examined social labels first used for parents, differentiation of parents and others on the basis of labeling behavior, and overgeneralization of social labels in 71 infants ranging in age from 9 to 24 months. (JMB)