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The Unstable Child
Hardcover
Child PsychologyGeneral EducationGeneral Psychology
ISBN13: 9781026062944
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 490
Weight: 1.89
Height: 1.06 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
The Unstable Child is a pioneering study in the field of clinical psychology and child development, focusing on children whose behavioral and emotional difficulties cannot be explained by intelligence testing alone. This work challenges the early 20th-century reliance on mere mental age or IQ scores, arguing instead for a more comprehensive clinical assessment of a child's functional and emotional stability.
The book examines the unstable child-those who may possess normal or even superior intelligence but struggle with social adaptation, impulse control, or psychological disturbances. Through detailed case studies and clinical observations, the text explores the root causes of childhood instability and the necessity of specialized educational and psychological interventions. Florence Mateer provides a rigorous framework for understanding psychopathy and neurosis in youth, bridging the gap between education and mental health.
As an essential historical document in the evolution of developmental psychology, The Unstable Child offers valuable insights into the origins of behavioral therapy and the clinical treatment of children. It remains a significant resource for those interested in the history of psychology, educational theory, and the early methods used to support children with complex emotional needs.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
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Mateer, Florence
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