Competence and Social Disability: A Conceptual Framework for HBSE Content

Abstract

A framework developed by Vance promises better understanding of the mechanisms by which various kinds of severely deprived environments produce high rates of cognitive, emotional, and personality disabilities. Effort is focused on assessing how Vance's concepts may aid in reconceptualizing and reorganizing much Human Behavior and Social Environment content to facilitate the integration of seemingly unrelated findings and conflicting theories on the relationship between disability, poverty, and alienation. The potential for enhancing teaching and development of interventive strategies is explored.