Personality and Personality Assessmentof Persons With Mental Retardation: An Overview

Abstract

A living organism is the combination of body and mind; human being is the most developed species in all living organisms.Development of a human being as a person depends on the various processes in body and mind since its conception in mother’s womb. These processes in relation with various environmental factors further determine the personality of that person. The persons with mental retardation (PWMR) undergo with different biological and psychological processes than the persons with normal intelligence. Their experiences with their environment also have a different pattern than the normals. These factors in combination lead to a special pattern of personality in PWMR. This study reviews prior attempts in order to understand the diversity in their personality. It also seeks what assessment tools and procedures have been used by previous researchers.The methodological issues of existing tools in terms of their practical applicability in administering on persons with mental retardationhave also been discussed.It concludes that the present theory of personality, personality disorders and personality assessment are mainly based on the studies done on persons with normal intelligence and it is unjustifiable to apply those on the people living with mental retardation.