Recently the studies of infant development have increased tremendously in Japan as well as in many other countries. It seems appropriate now that we reflect on the significance and the role of infant studies in the future. This is what motivated us to hold our symposium on the infant development.
Y. Yano put a question on what an infant study should be, examining historical and social backgrounds inquiring on child problems in some present infant studies actually on.
Y. Yamashita criticized previous learning on the subject and emphasized the necessity of explicating developmental intercorrelations among several functions resulting from early stimulations, as being insufficient in earlier infant studies.
K. Okamura suggested that an interpersonal relationships in infancy as a main theme of the infant study should be approached and pointed out some perspectives and methods for such neglected study.
S. Hamada emphasized the importance of grasping infant as a whole, criticizing present psychology for separating infant's abilities from its real life and abstracting its functional aspects.
