Oligophrenic Children with Disturbance of the Balance between the Fundamental Nervous Processes, with Inhibition Predominating over Excitation

Abstract

In this subgroup of children we include those oligophrenics in whom the disturbance of the balance between the fundamental nervous processes is characterized by the predominance of inhibition over excitation. These children, too, as all oligophrenics, have a low capacity for abstraction and generalization. Their specific features are inhibition, lethargy, and slowness, which are revealed in their behavior and their motor and cognitive functions. This chapter is written on the basis of a prolonged study of 18 cases. We will turn now to a description of the results of this study.