Great Kids, Great Parents

Cognition

Affects, Language, and Cognition

Paul C Holinger M.D. on July 30, 2015

For many months, we have been exploring the three pillars of human development: affects (feelings), language, and cognition.

For many months, we have been exploring the three pillars of human development: affects (feelings), language, and cognition.

Fear

Feelings: How and What Does a Baby Understand?

Paul C Holinger M.D. on July 2, 2015

The three pillars of development: Feelings (affects), language, and cognition.

The three pillars of development: Feelings (affects), language, and cognition.

We are continuing our exploration of the three pillars of human development--Affects (Feelings), Language, and Cognition. This month we wrap up the section of Language by examining the link between feelings and words, a process we call translation.

Cognition

Language

Paul C Holinger M.D. on March 31, 2015

Language represents a huge developmental leap. Think of all the things we can accomplish with our words and language. We can enhance relationships with our children. We can share feelings and ideas.

Language represents a huge developmental leap. Think of all the things we can accomplish with our words and language. We can enhance relationships with our children. We can share feelings and ideas.

Cognition

Language

Paul C Holinger M.D. on January 24, 2015

Language has been described as one of humans' most important evolutionary advances. We will explore language with specific reference to individual development and its relationship to affects and cognition.

Language has been described as one of humans' most important evolutionary advances. We will explore language with specific reference to individual development and its relationship to affects and cognition.

Anger is often overlooked or misunderstood in psychopathology as well as in everyday relationships. In pathology, one sees anger behind a variety of symptoms. Clinical work shows us that fear of anger and loss of control often are behind these symptoms.

Anger may be the most misunderstood feeling. It is one of the negative affects. Thus, like all negative affects, anger is an SOS signal. Excessive anger leads to distress, another negative affect. They are linked and appear to depend on the quantity of the stimulus. What is their mechanism of action?

Babies readily demonstrate the classic facial expression of interest (curiosity). Of all our feelings, the affect of interest-excitement may be most crucial. Interest involves exploratory and learning activities.

Anger

Interferences of Interest in the Talking Child

Paul C Holinger M.D. on October 24, 2014

For some time now, we have been immersed in feelings. Most recently, we have explored the crucial feeling of interest (curiosity) and what enhances and inhibits it. Last month, we examined the ways in which curiosity can be constricted in infancy, i.e. the preverbal child. This month, we discuss how curiosity can be restricted as the child begins to use words.

For some time now, we have been immersed in feelings. Most recently, we have explored the crucial feeling of interest (curiosity) and what enhances and inhibits it. Last month, we examined the ways in which curiosity can be constricted in infancy, i.e. the preverbal child. This month, we discuss how curiosity can be restricted as the child begins to use words.

The affect of interest is responsible for our exploratory activities, learning, and adaptation. The key questions in development, then, are "What enhances interest?" and "What inhibits interest?" These questions are crucial to character structure, parenting, education, politics, and much more.

In the various models of emotions, then, we see most make some reference to interest, or attention, or curiosity. This is true regardless of whether or not the model is more psychological or biological or integrated. The affect of interest is crucial. It is in the basis of our learning, gathering information, and adapting.

During the past year, we have been exploring the three pillars of development: feelings, language, and cognition.

Over the next several months, we will explore more deeply what may be our two most significant feelings: interest and anger. We will start with interest (curiosity).

Physical punishment is a major public health problem in this country. If hitting a child is not wrong, then nothing is wrong.

What is the relationship between one's internal world and the environment? How do these earliest, innate responses relate to later emotional life?

We are continuing with our exploration of infant, child, and adolescent development and three major developmental topics—feelings, language, and cognition. This month we examine the last four of our nine earliest feelings: enjoyment, shame, disgust, and dissmell.

While the feelings of surprise, fear, and interest depend on the speed of the incoming stimuli, distress and anger appear to depend on the quantity of the stimulus.

How does it happen that the baby has so few specific responses—feelings, affects, whatever—to all the stimuli coming at her? How do all these stimuli get transformed into the very few signals—feelings—which allow the baby and parents to communicate?

Tomkins defined these earliest feelings, or affects, as biological responses to stimuli. These responses are seen in the skin, vocal apparatus, musculature, autonomic nervous system, and particularly in the face.

Why this focus on feelings? Two reasons in particular. First, feelings motivate us. Feelings lead to action. Feelings cause behaviors. Second, feelings are crucial because they allow for communication.

We continue exploring the dramatic advances in understanding human nature and personality formation — what we call The Revolution in Infant and Child Development, and its three pillars of Feelings, Intelligence, and Language.