Expressive Movement Characteristics of Mentally Retarded Adults
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Authors
Entrenas, Vilma
Issue Date
1985
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Rudolf Laban's effort-shape analysis of movement describes movement as a manifestation of intrapsychic processes, where changes in movement patterns are integrally connected with psychological changes. This study is designed to explore movement characteristics common to the mentally retarded and the reflection of psychological tendencies. Five mentally retarded adults were videotaped for five weeks when participating in dance-movement therapy sessions. Expressive movements were observed and analyzed by looking at the videos using a protocol based on Laban's effort-shape analysis of movement. Some of the findings revealed fairly limited movement combinations and low frequencies of space, time, and weight qualities. These qualities could be related to psychological tendencies such as withholding of emotions and actions, lack of awareness of themselves and others, and difficulties in communication.