Abstract
M.Ed. (Psychology of Education)
Although the learning disabled pupil has an average to
above average intellectual ability, he does not perform
accordingly. Not only does he reveal academic deficiencies,
but social and emotional deficiencies are also part
and parcel of his problem. Furthermore he experiences
problems in meeting social demands that are made in his
every day life. These deficiencies in his social abilities
in turn imply an insufficient recognition of social
demands. Research has shown that a learning disabled
pupil's social perceptions are weaker than those of a
normal pupil. Although the learning disabled pupil's
academic short-coming are at first recognised by the
teacher, his social problems are normally neither
identified nor understood. The learning disabled child
should .be assisted to acquire social skills. In this
process the teacher could playa vital role.
From previous studies, insight regarding the learning
disabled pupil, has been gained. The etiology and
manifestations of learning disabilities have been discussed
and the characteristics of deficient social skills have
also been scrutinised.
The purpose of this research is to determine certain
disorders regarding the social perceptions of a learning
disabled child. Criteria as well as guidelines that a
social-perceptual education programme should meet, are also
suggested.
The study was conducted with 60 learning disabled pupils
forming the experimental group and 60 non-learning disabled
pupils forming the control group. The "Coding of Emotional
Responses Test" was used in this study. In this study it
became apparent that the learning disabled pupils made
significantly more errors than the control group (nonlearning
disabled pupils). Therefore the learning disabled
pupil experiences difficulty in interpreting non-verbal
behaviour patterns such as facial expressions, body
language and gestures correctly, as a result of his
deficient social perceptions.
Criteria
programme
research.
and guidelines for a social-perceptual education
have been determined as a result of this...