Imitation, recall, and imitativeness in children with low intelligence of organic and familial etiology.

Groups of noninstitutionalized organic and familial mentally retarded and borderline mentally retarded children at two CA levels were given tasks designed to assess imitation. In contrast to findings from studies of average IQ children, organic low IQ children showed as much imitativeness at the older as at the younger age levels. Consistent with expectations, etiology, independent of IQ, was found to be significant. Familial low IQ children showed more absolute imitation and recall, whereas organic children were more imitative and responsive to the irrelevant behaviors modeled. Findings are discussed in terms of the developmental approach to imitation.