Idiots, imbeciles, and morons

Mar1120103/11

Do you know the difference?

We know the difference now, do you? Clare found a book today that belonged to my Granddad, that I remember taking from their house when I was a child. With permission, I think.

People with IQs below 70 are sometimes classified in the textbooks as feeble-minded, and there is an even more precise distinction within this group, dividing it up into morons, with IQs between 50 and 70, imbeciles with IQs between 25 and 50, and idiots below 25. The moron, it is said, can learn useful tasks, and adjust under supervision. the imecile has to live in an institution, but can care for simple personal wants and avoid simple dangers, while the idiot cannot even do this.

From "Know your own IQ" by H J Eysenck. Not sure if the modern edition has such language in it still.

pauly :: 2010 :: Comment / reply