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Steps in Mental Development

Starting at the bottom step, there is a person sitting with their back against the first riser of the step with legs stretched forward and crossed at the ankle. The person is wearing pants, a jacket, and a cap. The person’s torso is curved forward and rotating to face down and to the person’s hands. To the left of the person are the words “Idiot: Mentally 3 years old and under.” To the right of the person, on the other side of the step, is the caption, “Self-Preservation.”

On the second step, there is a person standing with their back slumped  and elbows leaning against the step. The person is wearing a long, ankle length skirt, long-sleeved shirt, and a hat. Their torso is curved down and forward. To the left of the person is the caption “Low Grade Imbecile: Mentally 4 to 5 years old.” To the right of the person, on the other side of the step, are the words, “Simple Menial work.”

On the third step, there is a person standing with the left side of their body against the vertical line of the step, facing forward. The person is wearing pants, a jacket, and a cap. The person’s right hand is in their pocket and their left hand and forearm are laying on the top of the step. To the left of the body are the words “Medium Imbecile: Mentally 6 to 8 years old. To the right of the person, on the other side of the step, are the words, “Simple Manual Work.”

On the fourth step, there is a person standing and facing the step. The person is wearing a long, ankle length skirt and a long-sleeved shirt. The person’s hair is pulled off the face and in a low bun. The person’s hands are on top of the step, and the person is looking up to the step above. To the left of the person is the caption, “High Grade Imbecile: Mentally 8 to 10 years old.” To the right of the person, on the other side of the step, are the words “Complex Manual Work.”

On the fifth step is a person facing the step with hips against the step and torso curved forward over it. The person is leaning on their forearms, and their heels are lifted up off the step below. The person is wearing pants and a cap. To the left of the body are the words “Moron: Mentally 10 to 12 years old.” To the right of the body, on the other side of the step, are the words, “Work Requiring Reason and Judgement.”

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