THE DEVELOPMENTAL PROFILE OF DISADVANTAGED 6 YEAR OLD CHILDREN

The problem with developmental disadvantage among children of the lower socioeconomic classes has been the subject of many studies. It has been well established that an intelligence quotient of 50-70 is about five times more common in these classes than in the middle classes (Zigler, 1967; Drillien et al., 1966). Ethnic groups whose members belong predominantly to the lower social class have a mean l.Q. about 15 points less (i.e. about one standard deviation) below those of more privileged groups (Faustlich et nl., 1987; Dreger and Miller, 1968). These observations have given rise tuthe·concept·ofsociofamilial retardation and to debates on the basic cause of this phenomenon. While the psychological and educational deficits of lower class children have been documented in considerable detail (Dreger and Miller, 1968; Faustlich et nl., 1987; Jensen, 1969;