This volume investigates the structural, ethical, and therapeutic efficacy of residential facilities designed for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Editors Alfred A. Baumeister and Earl Butterfield compile research from various psychological and sociological perspectives to evaluate how institutional environments impact resident development. The text examines the historical shift from custodial care models toward more rehabilitative and community-integrated frameworks, providing a critical analysis of institutional policy and practice.

Experts recognize this work as a significant contribution to the literature on institutional psychology during the mid-20th century. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a foundational reference for students and professionals in the field of disability services.