ABSTRACT
Since a great number of reflexes can be elicited in the young infant while ‘higher’ brain activity cannot yet be observed, the conclusion has been drawn that the infant's brain activity consists only of reflexes. This opinion does not at alt do justice to the facts. At each stage of development there exist functions that occur without external stimulation … During their inactivity the centers have been charged and finally press for a discharge ‘by themselves’, i.e., without external stimulation. (Peiper, 1963, p. 248)
