The Biosocial Basis OF Mental Retardation, by Sonia F. Osler and Robert E. Cooke. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins Press, 1965, 151 pp., $5.50

Abstract

With the increasing interest in mental retardation more articles, monographs, and books appear on the subject. The Biosocial Basis of Mental Retardation is a collection of seven essays originally delivered at the John Hopkins Hospital. Although pediatricians have turned their attention in mental retardation mostly to the biological components of mental retardation, there is a growing awareness that social and psychological factors also play a significant role. The interrelationship of biological and social factors is virtually an unchartered sea. The several authors who originally presented these essays are attempting to highlight some of the social factors and, where appropriate, to point out how some of the social features relate to biological ones. For example, the well known relationship of the high incidence of prematurity in low socioeconomic group families is a fact most pediatricians know but the implication of this fact as far as prevention is concerned is a large and important concern and as yet poorly understood. With the increasing amount of federal interest in programs for low income families, many pediatricians will want to become better informed about the implications. Some of these points are considered in the chapter by Janet Hardy. For the person concerned with medical remedies for mental retardation, there will be little of interest in this book. On the other hand, for those who are anxious to know more about social and psychological factors as they relate to mental retardation, this is a very useful and fascinating compendium of articles. Particularly intriguing are the articles by Eli Ginzberg who discusses the mentally handicapped in an increasingly technological society.