Comparison of self- and peer-perceptions of mentally retarded children.

The self- and peer-perceptions of 40 mentally retarded children (mental ages 6 yr. to 12 yr.) were compared. Age differences were not obtained. Affective reports of likes and dislikes predominated the self-perceptions. Situational, external descriptions of behavior characterized the peer perceptions. These qualitative results are similar to the self- and peer-perceptions of nonretarded children.