Infants from low socioeconomic status families were randomly assigned to either an instructional day care program designed to prevent socioculturally caused mental retardation or to a nonintervention control group. The effects of these environments were then compared for fetally malnourished infants in terms of later intellectual functioning and…

Examines themes evident in children's and mother's definitions of illness to determine how views of illness develop. Subjects were 264 children (ages 6 to 12-11) and their mothers. Two issues were considered: (a) patterned similarity in illness definitions, and (b) developmental changes in illness concepts. (ED)

Critically reviews research since 1972 on maternal deprivation. Topics discussed include: the development of social relationships and the process of bonding; critical periods of development; links between childhood experiences and parenting behavior; influences on parenting; and possible reasons why so many children do not succumb to deprivation…

The present study explores the specific environmental influences in the intellectual development of 24 adoptive infants living in middle class families. (Author)

Presents longitudinal data regarding detrimental effects through 36 months of age on intellectual, behavioral, and social-interactional development in a nonsupportive caregiving environment, and the continuing amelioration of those effects in a supportive caregiving environment. Suggests that mothers of fetally malnourished infants may have had…