Autism and the Development of Mind

by R. Peter Hobson

The purpose of this essay is to illustrate how the phenomenon of early childhood autism may cast light on issues that are central to our Understanding Of Normal Child Development - Issues Such As The Emotional origins of social experience and social understanding, the contribution of interpersonal relations to the genesis of symbolism and creative thought, and the role of intersubjectivity in the development of self. Drawing upon philosophical writings as well as empirical research on autism, the author challenges the individualistic and cognitive bias of much developmental psychology, and argues that early human development is founded upon a normal infant's capacity for distinct forms of "I - Thou" and "I - It" relatedness. To a large degree, autism may represent the psycho-pathological sequelae to biologically-based incapacities for social perception and interpersonal engagement.

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1993

About the author

Dr. R. Peter Hobson is a practicing psychoanalyst in Santa Rosa, CA and a member of the faculty at San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis. He is a Professor Emeritus of Developmental Psychopathology at University College London. He specializes in autism and experimental child psychology. His research interests include integrating social experience, neuroscience and psychoanalysis, the origins of consciousness, and the philosophy of mind.