ABSTRACT
Continuous observation of the emotional behaviour of preschool children revealed to the writer certain facts which lend support to some of the more recent theories concerning the emotions. Different children, while manifesting certain overt behaviour responses characteristic of the same emotion, may exhibit different visceral changes. The behaviour form of all the emotions changes along with general development. The emotion aroused by progressively satisfying stimuli, such as to and fro movements, stroking and tickling, the contact of the nipple or the appearance of food during moments of hunger, is more akin to the joyous excitement of older children and may be termed delight. Distress in infancy is characterized by muscle tension, interference in breathing, change in facial colour, trembling and crying. In fear certain responses of distress are exaggerated and are combined with instinctive avoidance reactions. Depression is another emotion which becomes differentiated from distress during childhood and appears frequently during the period of adolescence.
