Psychology

The debate on emotional development of infants is still a controversial one as many theories are being brought to light. The big question has always remained whether a childs emotions are innate or influenced by the environment. A child will cry in order to get the attention of the mother, caregiver, family etc. In some cases it is a response to the environment (Zeman, 2001). He or she might be afraid, frightened or amused. The emotional development of an infant is therefore influenced by both innate characteristics and environment which the infant grows.

Environmental Influences
The infants overall environment has been termed as crucial to its development (Warhol, 1998). The risk factors that an infant is exposed to earlier in life have an influence in later life. An infant will begin to smile at around seven weeks old (Watson and Rayner, 1920). This is a social smile which comes in response to the immediate environment (interactions and adult smiles). It is normally an attempt by the child to engage in a social act. A positive response from a person that engages the infant in this act creates a cycle where social pleasure in derived by both parties (Lipsitt, 1998). A number of similar situations and more awareness of the environment will lead a child to smile.

Innate Influences
Apart from the environment a childs emotional development is influenced by biology. This is not only crying to get the necessary attention but other activities as well. An infant will cry out of discomfort. It tries to communicate and therefore crying becomes the only means to reach out to the adult world (Zeman, 2001).

Conclusion
It is apparent that both biology and environment influences a childs emotional development. At early infancy for instance communication is solely through crying. As the infant matures it learns to respond to the environment through a number of emotions. Emotional development is therefore a combination of both stimulation and conditioning. The innate feelings of the child too play a central role in emotional development of an infant.