Effects of peer labeling on the metamnemonic estimates of mentally retarded and nonretarded children.

The effects of labeling a comparison peer as mentally retarded on estimates of one's impending recall were investigated. Mentally retarded and nonretarded students viewed an actor labeled as retarded or nonretarded estimate his recall and then attempt to remember 10 items. Students then estimated their own recall and attempted remembering. Groups that viewed the "mentally retarded" actor increased their recall estimates, whereas the reverse was true for viewers of the "nonretarded" actor. Mentally retarded students overestimated their recall capabilities, recalled less, and showed more recall intrusions than did nonretarded viewers.