The policies in North America which led to the institutionalization of the "mentally retarded" and often to forced sterilization,were based on theories of:

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The policies in North America which led to the institutionalization of the "mentally retarded" and often to forced sterilization were based on theories of heredity, specifically the belief that mental retardation was a hereditary condition that could be passed down through generations. This led to eugenic policies such as forced sterilization to prevent the propagation of "undesirable" traits. The theories of atavism, XYY chromosomes, and body type were also used to support eugenic policies, but they were not as significant as the belief in heredity.

The Policies in North America Which Led to the Institutionalization