A recent study by three British psychologists underscores
the implications of using different labels to
describe people with learning difficulties or disabilities.A
total of 111 subjects completed a questionnaire designed
to assess attitudes toward three labelled groups: “mentally
subnormal adults,” “mentally handicapped adults,” and
“people with learning difficulties.” The researchers found
that subjects reacted more positively to the label “people
with learning difficulties” than to the other labels. Subjects
view “people with learning difficulties” as more competent
and as deserving of more rights than “mentally
handicapped” or “mentally subnormal” individuals
(Eayrs et al. 1993).