Il processo di reversal shift nelle operazioni di genesi e costruzione dei concetti in bambini istituzionalizzati dalla prima infanzia

Concept learning processes in mentally retarded children were investigated using the reversal shift. This paradigm allows stressing the relationship among different conceptual features. 90 normal ad 90 institutionalized mentally retarded children, ranging in two age groups (4-5 and 11-12) were tested on two successive discrimination learning tests. For the preshift task all the subjects performed the same learning; then the subjects performed the shift task according to the ID, ED or control conditions. The results, according to the hypothesis, showed that institutionalized children, in both age groups, performed either ID or ED shift as a completely new discrimination test.