Evening star., 1936-09-03

Compassion and mother love have
their beginnings in the first two years
of life and the mechanism of their evolu-
ton may be observed in groups of chill
dren.
There Is nothing mystical or other
worldly about them, according to obser-
vations on Montreal foundlings reported
to the Child Development Committee of
the National Research Council here by
DR.. Katharine M. Bridges, assistant pro-
fessor Of psychology at McGill Univer-
sity.
During the first two years of life, DR..
Bridges found, the child does not differ
entiate clearly between the self and
others. It constitutes whole with its
environment. Thus the infant responds
emotionally to the situations of others
as well as to its own. He treats his doll
or favorite playmate as though they
were parts Of himself by patting. feed
ing, dressing, etc. The child apparently
identifies himself with familiar persons
as sort of extending ego, and resists
the intrusion of strangers.
Between 2 and 3. DR.. Bridges found,
the child'S own personality seems to be-
come isolated. There is period of op-
position to everything which lasts for
about q year. Then, between the third
and fourth year, there is a modified re-
turn to the former attitude with much
more selectiveness.
Here, says DR.. Bridges, is the beginning
OF maternal protectiveness, drive which
may owe part of its strength to this iden-
tification Of the self with members of
the family or social set. Even animals,
she holds, probably protect their young
as parts of themselves. 1t is well known,
she says, that as soon as young animals
show signs Of independent activity the
mother leaves them to take care of them
selves and shows no further interest In
them.
Says DR.. Bridges in her report to the
National Research Council: There is
no sex difference noticeable in this self
projection and personal identification in
the social behavior of the child. Boys
have their doll attachments and boss
or protect smaller children Just as do the
girls. Both sexes of infants show a
preference for nurses and mothers among
the adults, on account of the comforting
treatment received from them.
Sex differences in behavior and pref
erence for companions are mainly social
ly determined. The behavior and re-
marks Of adults versed in local traditions
influence and determine certain types of
compartment among the children. Sex
attachments, however, are of secondary
and minor Importance in the general
personal-utility motive of the growing
child.
1T is generally agreed that, on the
whole, the boys are more boisterous in
their play activities than the girls. In a
pre-School group girls may be seen to
play together, drawn by common interest
in less energetic games. Bigger boys may
show solicitation and considerate atten-
ton toward the smaller girls, but this is
probably because the younger girls in q
nursery group are apt to be the weakest
members, most requiring assistance. II
the smallest in the group happen to be
little boys, they receive similar care and
consideration. The same protective
drive operates In both sexes. When It is
manifested by boys it is often taken for
love interest and as expressed by girls
It Is called maternal instinct
"Just Is In primitive races the women,
the slaves and the 'underdogs' show the
most compassion toward one another,
20 Ia group Of pre-school children the