Full Description
Originally published in 1942, this title attempted to trace, from their very earliest appearances after birth, all aspects of mental development in childhood up to the age of about 4 or 5. It is based largely on the author's almost daily observations of his own five children, over a period of some twenty years, supplemented by numerous tests and experiments.
The first purpose of this book was to advance our knowledge of the psychology of childhood. The importance of such knowledge had become increasingly recognised. Even if not all is completely determined in the first 4-5 years, there was little doubt by this time that these first years are of profound significance for future development: and the better understanding and training of the young child may be at the root of many of our educational and social problems.
Contents
1. Introductory 2. Methods of the Study of Infant Psychology 3. Fundamental Factors in Mental Development: Maturation, Exercise and Physiological Conditions 4. Further Aspects of Development 5. Endowment and Behaviour of the New-Born Infant 6. Spontaneous Movements and the Beginning of the Control of Movements 7. The Earliest Expressions and Causes of Feelings or Emotions 8. Reflexes: Their Development, Variability and Evanescence and their Relation to Voluntary Movements and Instincts 9. The Beginnings and Significance of Play 10. The Psychology of Imitation 11. The Innate Bases of Fears 12. Genetic Psychology of Laughter 13. Suggestion and Suggestibility 14. Anger and Pugnacity 15. Self-Assertion, Submission, Display and Shyness 16. Sympathy and Affection 17. Affection for Parents and the Supposed Oedipus Complex 18. The Development of Sex and Sex-Interests in Infancy 19. Learning and Remembering 20. The Beginnings and Developments of Language 21. Ideational or Thought Processes 22. Some Special Abilities and Ideas. Appendix 1: Stages of Development. Appendix 2: Right- and Left-Handedness. Appendix 3: The Earliest Dreams of B. Index.
