Henry H. Goddard

Henry Herbert Goddard (1866 – 1957) was a prominent American psychologist and eugenicist in the early 20th century. He is known especially for his 1912 work, ' and for being the first to translate the Binet intelligence test into English. He is also known for having coined the English word moron to describe a form of mental retardation.

Related Topics:
1866 - 1957 - American - Psychologist - Eugenicist - Binet - Intelligence test - English - Moron - Mental retardation

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At the 18 May 1910 annual meeting of the American Association for the Study of the Feeble-Minded, Goddard proposed definitions for a system for classifying individuals with mental retardation based on intelligence quotient. Goddard used the terms moron (IQ of 51-70), imbecile (IQ of 26-50), and idiot (IQ of 0-25) for categories of increasing impairment. This nomenclature was the standard of the field for decades.

Related Topics:
18 May - 1910 - Intelligence quotient - Moron - Imbecile - Idiot

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He was also the Director of Research at Vineland Training School for Feeble-Minded Girls and Boys in New Jersey. While there, he is quoted as stating that "democracy means that the people rule by selecting the wisest, most intelligent and most human to tell them what to do to be happy."

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