Goddard's Classification of Mental Age

The question asks about the specific terminology used by Goddard (1910) in his study at the Vineland facility to categorize residents based on their mental age. Goddard's research aimed to classify individuals with intellectual disabilities based on their cognitive abilities, often measured through mental age.

Understanding Goddard's Vineland Study

Henry H. Goddard, a prominent psychologist, conducted significant research at the Vineland Training School in New Jersey. His work in 1910 involved studying the residents and categorizing them according to their diagnosed conditions and measured mental ages. This classification system was influential, although it is now viewed as outdated and based on flawed methodologies.

Categorization Based on Mental Age

Goddard's classification system used specific terms for different ranges of mental age:

• Mental Age 0-2 years: Individuals in this range were typically termed 'Idiots'.
• Mental Age 3-7 years: According to Goddard's classification, residents falling within this mental age range were identified as 'Imbeciles'.
• Mental Age 8-12 years: Individuals with a mental age in this range were classified as 'Feebleminded' (or Debiles).

It is important to note that these terms and classifications reflect the understanding and terminology of the early 20th century and are considered offensive and inaccurate by modern standards. The term 'Mild mental retardation' is a more contemporary classification, but it was not the term used by Goddard in his 1910 study for the specified mental age group.

Identifying the Correct Term

Based on Goddard's (1910) study and classification system:

• Residents with a mental age of 3 to 7 years were specifically classified as Imbeciles.

Therefore, the correct classification for residents with a mental age of 3 to 7 years, according to the context provided by Goddard's study, is 'Imbeciles'.