Role-taking ability and interpersonal conflict resolution among retarded young adults.

Observers of the interpersonal deficiencies of mentally retarded persons have failed to consider the role of social cognition in interpersonal behavioral repertoires. In the present study, the relationship between role-taking ability and interpersonal conflict resolution among 16 moderately and mildly retarded young adults was examined. Feffer's Role-Taking Task and the Role-Playing Assessment Technique were used as experimental measures. With IQ held constant the correlations between role-taking scores and interpersonal problem-solving assessments were positive and significant.