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Defining emotional disturbance public policy and research
Author(s) -
Bower Eli M.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
psychology in the schools
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1520-6807
pISSN - 0033-3085
DOI - 10.1002/1520-6807(19820108)19:1<55::aid-pits2310190112>3.0.co;2-2
Subject(s) - disturbance (geology) , psychology , government (linguistics) , public policy , cognitive psychology , social psychology , applied psychology , political science , law , linguistics , paleontology , philosophy , biology
Abstract The legal definition of “emotional disturbance” proposed by the Federal Government under PL 94–142 is Bower's 1957 definition with some modifications. The modifications do serious damage to the integrity of the research and conceptual base from which the definition is drawn. The difficulties inherent in a definition of this type of handicapped are delineated. It is suggested that where policy makers and researchers join together, such relationships are best enhanced when each respects the assumptions and concepts of the other.