APA Dictionary of Psychology

n. a historical and outdated term, now considered offensive, for slow intellectual development, usually consistent with mild intellectual developmental disorder, due to adverse cultural or psychological conditions rather than congenital factors. Among these conditions are maternal deprivation, intellectual impoverishment, severe emotional disturbance, and perceptual deficits. The term may be a misnomer as it can be applied to individuals whose performance is consistent with intellectual developmental disorder that may not be alleviated by educational intervention. Also called psychosocial mental retardation; psychosocial mental developmental delay.