What is the role of the emotions in the development of human intelligence? How do emotions experienced in early childhood condition adult behaviour? Stanley Greenspan, a world-famous expert in childhood behaviour, divulges the emotional underpinnings of the learning process. Based on his work with autistic children, he offers a new approach to the study of the human mind, which will have many practical implications for child rearing and education. It could even show us how to combat violence in contemporary society.

Stanley Greenspan, M.D., teaches behavioural psychology and paediatrics in the School of Medicine at George Washington University, Washington, D.C. He has written extensively on child behaviour.

Beryl Lieff Benderly is a science journalist.