A Comparison of Digit Span Scores, Rhythm Span Scores, and Diagnostic Factors of Mentally Retarded Persons

Abstract

Studied the possible relationships among performance on a digit span (DS) task, a rhythm span (RS) task, and chronological age (CA), mental age (MA), and social age (SA) in 10 male and 15 female mentally retarded residents of a state school. Ss were 12–22 yrs old and had IQs below 62. MA was assessed with the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test; SA was assessed with the Vineland Social Maturity Scale. In the RS task, Ss imitated drum beats. A significant relationship was found between DS and RS scores. DS performance was related to MA, but not to CA or SA. No significant relationships were found between RS performance and CA, MA, or SA. The relationship between DS scores and MA suggests that the performance of mentally retarded individuals on the DS task increases with MA, as it does for those with normal intelligence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)