ABSTRACT
This chapter considers some of the major factors which are thought to give rise to learning difficulties, with the main emphasis on the environmental influences on learning, including social class, home, neighbourhood and school factors. In attempting to understand why children experience learning difficulties, a distinction is usually made between organic and environmental influences; that is, factors arising from within the child himself, as opposed to those which are imposed upon him from his social environment. Much research has been conducted investigating environmental factors which enhance or hinder children's development, and the relationship between academic success and social factors has been firmly established. Research suggests that there is a close relationship between social disadvantage factors and the socioeconomic status of social groups, or social class. Many research studies have revealed that social disadvantage, behavioural difficulties, emotional disturbance, as well as mild and moderate learning difficulties, frequently occur together.
