The Behavior of the Newborn Infant.

The development of child study in its larger aspects has taken place during the last hundred years. Interest in the behavior of the new-born is of comparatively recent origin. There have not been many experimental observations. The purposes of this investigation were to determine the reactions of the infants at birth to certain stimuli, to follow the development in the individual of these reactions, and to note the emergence of new reactions within a two weeks period. The reactions to light, taste, sound, temperature and smell have been studied. Observations were made on holding the arms and nose, the plantar reflex and the sucking reaction. During the observations the babies were placed in a specially constructed cabinet in which the temperature and humidity could be controlled. The babies were placed on a stabilimeter, so that all body movements were automatically recorded. Control and experimental periods of observation were conducted and