Social and play behaviors of institutionalized mongoloid and nonmongoloid retarded children

A total of 24 institutionalized retarded children, 12 mongoloid (Down's syndrome) and 12 nonmongoloid, were observed in dyadic interaction with peers in a free-play situation, and a number of specific peer-social and non-social behaviors were recorded as they occurred. Differences between mongoloid and nonmongoloid Ss were most apparent on several social behavior categories which support the stereotypic conception of mongoloids as more sociable, gregarious, etc. Differences were most apparent for the mongoloid boys. The possible influence of tranquilizer drugs and cottage placements on the observed differences was discussed.