title: Continuities and discontinuities in affective and cognitive-motivational development.
abstract: This paper reviews research on the issue of continuities and discontinuities in development, focusing on affective and cognitive-motivational aspects. The theoretical view of Rene Spitz and supporting research is reviewed related to transformations in affective development. Methods of assessment of cognitive-motivational development ("mastery motivation") are described as utilized in a number of studies. These studies illustrate developmental transformations at approximately 10 and 18 months of age in normal infants. In addition, findings comparing abused/neglected and perinatal risk infant populations with normal infants illustrate differences in both affective and cognitive-motivational development.
mesh_terms: D000339:Affect; D002649:Child Abuse; D002657:Child Development; D003071:Cognition; D004532:Ego; D005149:Facial Expression; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight / Q000523:psychology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000523:psychology; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D009042:Motivation; D010988:Play and Playthings; D011340:Problem Solving; D011597:Psychomotor Performance