Elsevier

Brain Research

Volume 76, Issue 2, 16 August 1974, Pages 185-212
Brain Research

The behavioural states of the newborn infant (a review)

https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-8993(74)90454-5Get rights and content

Summary

The concept of behavioural states in the young infant has been used in two connotations: (1) as a descriptive categorisation of behaviour; and (2) as an explanation of brain mechanismswhich modify the responsiveness of the infant. States have been either directly observed or assessed from polygraphic recordings. The criteria and definitions of states vary widely between investigators. States can be defined as finite and discrete vectors representing distinct and qualitatively different conditions, each of them considered as particular modes of nervous activity. The hypothesis of a continuum of arousal is rejected.

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