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Physical And Mental Traits: Mass investigations on the basis of age norms, however, have indicated only a slight relation between the mental and physical status of children. A spurt in mental growth does not appear to parallel the preadolescent spurt in physical growth. The pattern of mental development is similar in boys and girls, despite the difference in their rates of physical maturing.
Personality difficulties and emotional conflicts often arise out of fears of physical inadequacy. On the other hand, physical acceleration, among boys, may contribute to better social and psychological adjustment.
Physical acceleration coupled with mental retardation is an especially disturbing form of development. In the traditional school such an individual's mental status places him with children much smaller. Owing to his apparent maturity, he is constantly prodded to achieve beyond his real ability, often with resulting apathy or antisocial conduct.
Hidden in the germ cells of the parents are potentialities that they themselves do not show. Exceptionally intelligent parents can expect their children to be more intelligent than the average, but less intelligent than themselves. Exceptionally dull parents are likely to have children less intelligent than the average, but more intelligent than themselves.
Are physical and mental traits inherited? |
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