Retardation in psychology is a term that has recently become widespread as the opposite of the expression "acceleration". In its meaning, it partially coincides with infantilism. Retardation (delay, delay) suggests that the lag can be made up over time, while in many cases of infantilism, some of its signs persist in adults. In addition, there is a retardation of mental development, and with infantilism, the intellect is not affected.
Meaning of the term "retardation"
Retardation is understood as a persistent delay in general mental development due to various intellectual disabilities at the age of two to five years, that is, during the period when the child is just developing speech. In this case, as a rule, there is no progressive deterioration in cognitive functions. If mental disorders occur against the background of already formed speech and are of a progressive nature, then such developmental disorders are called dementia (dementia).
Acceleration
Retardation as the opposite of acceleration, the concept implies a delay or lag in development. Therefore, acceleration is the acceleration of growth rates anddevelopment in childhood and adolescence. Also here can be attributed the rapid increase in the volume of the body of adults. Today, there are two types of acceleration: intragroup and epochal. The first is the acceleration of the rate of development of some children and adolescents in certain age groups. Epochal acceleration is the rapid physical development of modern children in comparison with previous generations.
Reasons for acceleration
To understand what retardation is, it is necessary to find out the reasons for the development of the opposite phenomenon, that is, to establish the biological mechanisms of acceleration. Conventionally, the reasons for accelerated growth and development can be divided into three main groups:
1. Hypotheses of physico-chemical nature. These include the theory of Koch, who believed that modern children are exposed to a stronger effect of ultraviolet rays, which are a growth stimulant. But still more common, confirmed by many researchers, is the hypothesis of the impact of industrial waste on the growth of children.
2. Hypothesis of the influence of social conditions on the growth and development of the child, in particular, improved nutrition, medical care and urban living conditions. According to researchers, all of these factors can also stimulate physical development.
3. A hypothesis according to which acceleration is the result of cyclic biological changes in heterosis and other phenomena. The effect of heterosis can be explained by the wide migrationmodern population and the growing number of mixed marriages. At the same time, the offspring with each generation becomes more and more physically developed.
It would be correct to agree with all three hypotheses, since many authors consider the acceleration caused by the influence of a number of factors, while at different times and in different places different circumstances are fundamental.
Retardation: causes and factors. Overview
Retardation in psychology is a slow physical development and formation of the functional systems of the body in childhood and adolescence. At this stage of the study of this phenomenon, scientists identify two main causes of retardation: hereditary factors and organic disorders, congenital or acquired in postnatal ontogenesis, as well as all sorts of social factors.
Hereditary retardants and the social factor
Basically, by the end of the growth processes, retardants do not lag behind their peers in this indicator, they simply reach the average values one or two years later. If we take into account that retardation in psychology is a slowdown in growth and development, then in order to fully consider the problem, it is necessary to determine the cause of this phenomenon. If the lag occurs as a result of a hereditary factor or after a disease, then, as a rule, there is a temporary growth retardation, and after the final recovery, the growth rate accelerates, that is, the genetic program is implemented in a shorter period.
NegativeThe social factor can also influence the growth and development of the child. And this is not so much a low material income as a negative emotional microclimate in the family or in children's institutions. It has been established that children who are brought up in boarding schools, in orphanages or in conditions of lack of attention from their parents, lag behind their peers by one and a half to two years in development.
Cyclic
Retardation in psychology is a little-studied phenomenon, but its very existence confirms the theory of cyclic change of acceleration epochs. According to scientists, in the last five years there has been a slowdown in the acceleration and retardation of development. For what reasons such cyclicity occurs is unknown, but scientists attribute this to the following factors: changing climatic conditions on the planet, increased solar activity, food quality, and so on. All causes can be conditionally divided into exogenous (negative environmental impact) and endogenous (acquired or congenital).
Retardation is of particular importance when determining whether a child is ready for school, since his psychophysiological maturation directly affects academic performance and how relationships with peers will develop. Very often, children with developmental delays are taught on an individual basis. It is also worth noting that retardation and acceleration can be harmonious and inharmonious. That is, each child has an individual rate of growth and development.
