Cognitive Psychology for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities in Japan: Characteristics and Issues for Future Research

Abstract

The current study was conducted to review the literature related to cognitive psychological studies for individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDs) to reveal their characteristics and issues for future research. A summary of 206 publications produced through August 2023 suggests four characteristics of these studies in Japan. First, the number of publications in this area in Japan has been declining. Second, while many cross-sectional studies have been reported, longitudinal studies remain scarce. Third, few studies have examined individuals with IDs, classified by causative or comorbidity, excluding Down syndrome and autism. Fourth, considerable research has examined the original conditions, with tasks from earlier studies under the original framework, employing analyses with multiple indicators. It is noteworthy that many of these original tasks were influenced by Soviet psychology.