Emotional Development and some Disturbances of Behaviour

Abstract

As the child grows and his central nervous system matures, he acquires various skills as discussed in the previous chapter. The ability with which he uses these skills leads to an interaction with his environment. Out of this interaction the child’s mind develops and can take over the control of inherited and subconscious patterns of behaviour. Thus, from early childhood, environment affects emotional and psychological development; on the other hand, the child learns from early experiences how he can adapt and alter his environment — an ability which is the distinctive feature of the human race.