Affects, Cognition, and Language as Foundations of Human Development

Affects, Cognition, and Language as Foundations of Human Development considers human development from the three most basic systems—affects (our earliest feelings), cognition, and language. Holinger explores how these systems enhance potential and help prevent problems, both in individuals and in societies. He begins with a focus on the affects of interest and anger and how affects provide the foundation for the sense of self and playing and creating. The author delves into cognition in the context of human relationships and infants’ remarkable capacity to understand language long before they can talk. Drawing on the work of Darwin, Freud, Stern, Basch, and the ground-breaking ideas of Silvan Tomkins, this work thus deepens the exploration into human development by integrating affects, cognition, and language. The author also uses this triad to examine two important societal issues: physical punishment, and bias, prejudice, and violence. This book will not only appeal to psychologists, psychoanalysts, psychiatrists, and social workers but is also accessible to parents, educators, and policymakers.

Table of Contents:
Part 1 Developing 1. Developing: Exploring Human Development via Affects, Cognition, and Language 2. The Evolving Concept of Affects 3. Current Concepts of Affects: Functions and Examples 4. The Affect of Interest: The Core of Our Existence 5. Affects: The Foundation of Playing and Creating 6. Affects, Early Development, and the Sense of Self 7. Anger: The Misunderstood Affect 8. Emerging Cognition 9. Language: Before Children Begin to Talk 10. Affects into Words: When Children Begin to Talk 11. Integrating Affects, Cognition, and Language: The Impact of Early Verbalization of Affects, the Emergence of Empathy, and Clinical Implications Part 2 Societal Implications of Understanding Affects, Cognition and Language: Views on Overcoming Physical Punishment and Bias, Prejudice, and Violence Introduction to Part2: Physical Punishment and Toward Understanding Bias, Prejudice, and Violence 12. Physical Punishment: "The Canary in the Coal Mine" 13. Toward Understanding Bias, Prejudice, and Violence 14. Wrapping Up and a Glance at the Future

About the Author :
Paul C. Holinger, MD, MPH, is a Psychiatrist, Training and Supervising Analyst, and Child and Adolescent Supervising Analyst. Dr. Holinger is a Faculty Member and former Dean at the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute and retired Professor of Psychiatry at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.

Review :
“In Affects, Cognition, and Language as Foundations of Human Development, Paul Holinger has produced a tour de force. In an elegant, engaging volume he describes the intertwining of affects, cognition, and language in human development. In clear language he unpacks the impact of these complex interactions on individual treatment, parenting, and crucial social issues such as violence. This volume can serve as a cross-disciplinary foundational text for many mental health programs.” - Leon Hoffman, MD, Center for Regulation Focused Psychotherapy “In this book Paul Holinger effectively integrates knowledge about the “information systems” of affects, cognition, and language to create a new lens for looking at normal and pathological development through the life cycle. Clinicians, teachers, parents, and policymakers can fruitfully apply this illuminating perspective to address children’s needs in multiple contexts, ranging from child rearing to therapy to crucial social issues, as Holinger illustrates in his cogent discussion of physical violence and punishment. The reader comes away inspired with hope by Holinger’s clarity and commitment to the needs of children and all who care for them.” - Jack Novick, PhD, and Kerry Kelly Novick, Psychoanalysts and authors of Working With Parents Makes Therapy Work and Freedom to Choose: Two Systems of Self-Regulation “Paul Holinger has written a must read for parents, therapists, and legislators alike. If you've ever wondered why we do what we do or how to help someone or a society change, this is your go to book. Using the concepts of affect, cognition, and language he synthesizes an enormous body of research through clear anecdotes and case vignettes. As if that wasn't enough, he goes on to explain why, against all the evidence, we continue to use physical punishment as well as why we treat other types of people in such destructive, prejudicial ways.” - Daniel W. Prezant, President of the American Psychoanalytic Association “Paul Holinger, our experienced guide, takes us on a journey into the developing mind, tracing the trajectory from early affects to cognition and then language, each phase enriching the other. In jargon-free and often quite personal writing, we learn how affects are the foundation of being human and how they blossom under the caring spirit of the attuned caregiver. Holinger demonstrates how empathy is the medium that allows for the enlivening link between affects and words. Clear clinical examples animate these concepts along with demonstrations of attuned interventions. He shares with us in some detail a passion that he has devoted himself to throughout his career. That is, an understanding of the levels of damage that physical punishment inflicts on the growing mind and spirit. This is not to be missed. This and his understanding of the corrosive impact of malignant “othering” make the book a worthy read. So does the sparkling “gleam in his eye” that he describes in caretakers that we readers also can feel in his graceful writing.” - Harvey Schwartz, MD, Producer and Host, IPA Podcast, Psychoanalysis On and Off the Couch “Paul C. Holinger, MD, MPH, has written a canonical text in Affect, Cognition, and Language as Foundations for Human Development. He takes the reader on an exciting journey through the intricate interplay of these “messy” information-processing systems. He shows how infants and children thrive where interest and curiosity have been encouraged. All this is done while tracing out the history of human development, including cutting-edge research and illuminating case studies. The author does not shy away from tackling the most pressing issues facing societies—prejudice, bias, racism, hatred, and violence. This is a gem of a book offering a roadmap as to what needs to be done for a healthy society. He not only leaves us with the challenge to take up the task to do better; he inspires us to do so as well. The book is a gift to humanity.” - Nancy Hartevelt Kobrin, PhD. Psychoanalyst and counter terrorist expert, author of The Jihadi Dictionary: The Essential Intel Tool for Military, Law Enforcement, Government and the Concerned Public “A remarkable tour de force … With deep scientific knowledge and support, but written to be readily accessible to all, Dr. Holinger’s manuscript should be read by all, and especially by new parents. The insights about infants and children that are provided form an invaluable foundation for raising curious, empathic, emotionally healthy, and downright delightful children.” - Daniel L. Goldberg, Attorney, Boston, Massachusetts “Dr. Holinger’s fascinating and ground-breaking book explores the origins of our earliest feelings (affects), thinking, and language—thus paving the way for a better understanding of human nature and development. In addition to discussing individuals and clinical cases, he also sheds new light on two major societal problems: physical punishment; and bias, prejudice, and violence. This is an essential book for mental health professionals, educators, and parents, and it is a must read in our troubled times.” - Pamela C. Cantor, PhD. Author of Understanding Children and Youth “Paul Holinger in this remarkable book creatively continues the thinking on affects that Darwin introduced in 1872. Darwin’s work almost got lost in psychology until the work of Silvan Tomkins in the middle of the 20th century. Since then a number of scholars have extended the thinking about affects into the meaning of language, development, and of the self. Holinger intelligently integrates these diverse strands into a cohesive whole. He further suggests the relevance of his model for understanding topics as wide-ranging as cults, racist extremism, and cognitive functioning. I warmly recommend this book for its fresh approach to subjects often slighted in psychological, social, and historical scholarship.” - Charles B. Strozier, Professor of History at John Jay College, psychoanalyst, and author of Heinz Kohut: The Making of a Psychoanalyst, Lincoln’s Quest for Union, and, most recently, The New World of the Self “Dr. Holinger provides a masterful integration of three core developmental domains, powerfully demonstrating the complexity and beauty of children’s experience of the world. This work is all the evidence we need to end the shame and humiliation of physical punishment, which offends the miraculous unfolding of the mind.” - Joan Durrant, Executive Director, Positive Discipline in Everyday Life; Professor (Senior Scholar), Department of Community Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences; and author of Positive Discipline in Everyday Parenting “Affects, Cognition, and Language as Foundations of Human Development, Paul Holinger’s newest book, arrives just in time. Dr. Holinger builds on the three core foundations into Part II where together we explore two critical societal problems: the physical punishment of children, and the origins and persistence of bias, prejudice, and violence. For workplaces virtually paralyzed by hypersensitivities, extreme polarities, and threats of violence, Paul’s insights provide hope. Hope, that with understanding, we can pull on the right threads to undo these two self-made Gordian knots.” David E. “Daven” Morrison III, MD. Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Chicago Medical School; Academy of Organizational and Occupational Psychiatry – Past President; Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry (GAP); Committee on Work and Psychiatry; and author of The A.B.C.’s of Behavioral Forensics (Wiley) “In times such as these, there seems nothing more important than to understand what makes human beings tick and to use that knowledge to live more deeply human and humane lives. If Silvan Tomkins, the grandfather of the modern-day study of emotion, was correct in following Darwin’s lead by declaring our affect system as the primary motivational system in human beings, then we surely need to better understand affect and emotion across human development. I believe that Tomkins was 100 percent correct, and I also believe that Paul Holinger’s new book is a superb elucidation of what we need to understand about affect, cognition, and language. This book will be illuminating and extremely helpful to parents and professionals alike.” - Lauren Abramson, PhD. Founding Director, Community Transformation (www.communitytransformation.net), and Restorative Justice facilitator, trainer, writer, and theorist “Paul Holinger’s book is, above all else, a message of hope. In exploring the origins and factors of healthy human development and explaining them in certain, clear-eyed terms, Dr. Holinger operates on the belief that when we know better, we will do better. He clarifies the murky early years of parenting, and reframes moments that can feel frustrating into observations of what is, truly, quite fascinating about tiny, growing humans. Our children and our society are counting on us to heed Dr. Holinger’s call and lean into our full humanity so every child gets a chance to reach their full, innate potential.” - Heidi Stevens, Nationally syndicated columnist “Paul C. Holinger offers the professional community and the general public a brilliant integration of humanitarian and scientific approaches to child development. His presentation of the interplay of affects, cognition, and language as foundational elements of human development reflects his extensive experience and deep respect for the uniqueness of each individual. The impact of societal problems – physical punishment, bias, prejudice, and violence – on child development is presented in terms that constitute a call to action for parents, educators, and mental health professionals; for anyone committed to protecting children’s developmental potential.” - Harriet Wolfe, M.D., President, International Psychoanalytical Association “This provocative book describes a bold thesis that links infants’ subcortical reactions to several contemporary social problems. Key foundational scholars are identified that led Holinger to hone in on the developmental processes integrating affect, cognition, and language in thought-provoking juxtapositions. Vignettes nicely illustrate Holinger’s points and clinical implications are provided to make this book appealing to a wide range of readers, including parents, educators, therapists, and scientists.” - George W. Holden, Emeritus Professor, SMU President of the US Alliance to End the Hitting of Children “Paul Holinger conveys the wisdom of a lifetime as he synthesizes the latest research in child development and brings this to life with clinical examples, personal anecdotes, and quotes from thinkers from Aristotle to Martin Luther King. While the book’s title might seem daunting, it will prove enlightening and an enjoyable read for parents, clinicians, educators, policy makers, and pretty much anyone curious about how affect, cognition, and language apply to parenting, psychotherapy, and social policy.” - Arthur Nielsen, MD, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, faculty The Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute, and author of A Roadmap for Couple Therapy and Integrative Couple Therapy in Action. "Paul C. Holinger offers the professional community and the general public a brilliant integration of humanitarian and scientific approaches to child development. His presentation of the interplay of affects, cognition, and language as foundational elements of human development reflects his extensive experience and deep respect for the uniqueness of each individual. The impact of societal problems— physical punishment, bias, prejudice, and violence—on child development is presented in terms that constitute a call to action for parents, educators, and mental health professionals; for anyone committed to protecting children’s developmental potential." Harriet Wolfe, MD, President, International Psychoanalytical Association "Paul Holinger’s book is, above all else, a message of hope. In exploring the origins and factors of healthy human development and explaining them in certain, clear-eyed terms, Dr. Holinger operates on the belief that when we know better, we will do better. He clarifies the murky early years of parenting, and reframes moments that can feel frustrating into observations of what is, truly, quite fascinating about tiny, growing humans. Our children and our society are counting on us to heed Dr. Holinger’s call and lean into our full humanity, so that every child gets a chance to reach their full, innate potential." Heidi Stevens, Nationally Syndicated Columnist "Paul Holinger has written a must-read for parents, therapists, and legislators alike. If you’ve ever wondered why we do what we do or how to help someone or a society change, this is your go-to book. Using the concepts of affect, cognition, and language he synthesizes an enormous body of research through clear anecdotes and case vignettes. As if that wasn’t enough, he goes on to explain why, against all the evidence, we continue to use physical punishment as well as why we treat other types of people in such destructive, prejudicial ways." Daniel W. Prezant, President of the American Psychoanalytic Association "In Affects, Cognition, and Language as Foundations of Human Development, Paul Holinger has produced a tour de force. In an elegant, engaging volume, he describes the intertwining of affects, cognition, and language in human development. In clear language, he unpacks the impact of these complex interactions on individual treatment, parenting, and crucial social issues such as violence. This volume can serve as a cross-disciplinary foundational text for many mental health programs." Leon Hoffman, MD, Center for Regulation Focused Psychotherapy "In this book, Paul Holinger effectively integrates knowledge about the ‘information systems‘ of affects, cognition, and language to create a new lens for looking at normal and pathological development through the life cycle. Clinicians, teachers, parents, and policymakers can fruitfully apply this illuminating perspective to address children’s needs in multiple contexts, ranging from child rearing to therapy to crucial social issues, as Holinger illustrates in his cogent discussion of physical violence and punishment. The reader comes away inspired with hope by Holinger’s clarity and commitment to the needs of children and all who care for them." Jack Novick, PhD, and Kerry Kelly Novick, Psychoanalysts and Authors of Working With Parents Makes Therapy Work and Freedom to Choose: Two Systems of Self-Regulation "Paul C. Holinger, MD, MPH, has written a canonical text in Affect, Cognition, and Language as Foundations for Human Development. He takes the reader on an exciting journey through the intricate interplay of these ‘messy’ information processing systems. He shows how infants and children thrive where interest and curiosity have been encouraged. All this is done while tracing out the history of human development, including cutting-edge research and illuminating case studies. The author does not shy away from tackling the most pressing issues facing societies—prejudice, bias, racism, hatred, and violence. This is a gem of a book offering a roadmap as to what needs to be done for a healthy society. He not only leaves us with the challenge to take up the task to do better; he inspires us to do so as well. The book is a gift to humanity." Nancy Hartevelt Kobrin, PhD, Psychoanalyst; Counter Terrorist Expert; and Author of The Jihadi Dictionary: The Essential Intel Tool for Military, Law Enforcement, Government and the Concerned Public "In this remarkable book, Paul Holinger creatively continues the thinking on affects that Darwin introduced in 1872. Darwin’s work almost got lost in psychology until the work of Silvan Tomkins in the middle of the twentieth century. Since then, a number of scholars have extended the thinking about affects into the meaning of language, development, and of the self. Holinger intelligently integrates these diverse strands into a cohesive whole. He further suggests the relevance of his model for understanding topics as wide-ranging as cults, racist extremism, and cognitive functioning. I warmly recommend this book for its fresh approach to subjects often slighted in psychological, social, and historical scholarship." Charles B. Strozier, Professor of History at John Jay College; Psychoanalyst; and Author of Heinz Kohut: The Making of a Psychoanalyst, Lincoln’s Quest for Union, and The New World of the Self "Paul Holinger, our experienced guide, takes us on a journey into the developing mind, tracing the trajectory from early affects to cognition and then language, each phase enriching the other. In jargon-free and often quite personal writing, we learn how affects are the foundation of being human and how they blossom under the caring spirit of the attuned caregiver. Holinger demonstrates how empathy is the medium that allows for the enlivening link between affects and words. Clear clinical examples animate these concepts, along with demonstrations of attuned interventions. He shares with us in some detail a passion that he has devoted himself to throughout his career. That is, an understanding of the levels of damage that physical punishment inflicts on the growing mind and spirit. This is not to be missed. This and his understanding of the corrosive impact of malignant ‘othering’ make the book a worthy read. So does the sparkling ‘gleam in his eye’ that he describes in caretakers that we readers also can feel in his graceful writing." Harvey Schwartz, MD, Producer and Host, IPA Podcast, Psychoanalysis On and Off the Couch "A remarkable tour de force … With deep scientific knowledge and support, but written to be readily accessible to all, Dr. Holinger’s manuscript should be read by all, and especially by new parents. The insights about infants and children that are provided form an invaluable foundation for raising curious, empathic, emotionally healthy, and downright delightful children." Daniel L. Goldberg, JD, Boston, Massachusetts "Dr. Holinger’s fascinating and ground-breaking book explores the origins of our earliest feelings (affects), thinking, and language—thus paving the way for a better understanding of human nature and development. In addition to discussing individuals and clinical cases, he also sheds new light on two major societal problems: physical punishment; and bias, prejudice, and violence. This is an essential book for mental health professionals, educators, and parents, and it is a must-read in our troubled times." Pamela C. Cantor, PhD, Author of Understanding Children and Youth "Dr. Holinger provides a masterful integration of three core developmental domains, powerfully demonstrating the complexity and beauty of children’s experience of the world. This work is all the evidence we need to end the shame and humiliation of physical punishment, which offends the miraculous unfolding of the mind." Joan Durrant, PhD, Executive Director, Positive Discipline in Everyday Life; Professor (Senior Scholar), Department of Community Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences; and Author of Positive Discipline in Everyday Parenting "Affects, Cognition, and Language as Foundations of Human Development, Paul Holinger’s newest book, arrives just in time. Dr. Holinger builds on the three core foundations in Part 1, where together we explore two critical societal problems: the physical punishment of children and the origins and persistence of bias, prejudice, and violence. For workplaces virtually paralyzed by hypersensitivities, extreme polarities, and threats of violence, Paul’s insights provide hope. Hope, that with understanding, we can pull on the right threads to undo these two self-made Gordian knots." David E. "Daven" Morrison III, MD, Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Chicago Medical School; Academy of Organizational and Occupational Psychiatry – Past President; Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry (GAP); Committee on Work and Psychiatry; and Author of The A.B.C.’s of Behavioral Forensics "In times such as these, there seems nothing more important than to understand what makes human beings tick and to use that knowledge to live more deeply human and humane lives. If Silvan Tomkins, the grandfather of the modern-day study of emotion, was correct in following Darwin’s lead by declaring our affect system as the primary motivational system in human beings, then we surely need to better understand affect and emotion across human development. I believe that Tomkins was 100 percent correct, and I also believe that Paul Holinger’s new book is a superb elucidation of what we need to understand about affect, cognition, and language. This book will be illuminating and extremely helpful to parents and professionals alike." Lauren Abramson, PhD, Founding Director, Community Transformation (www.communitytransformation.net), and Restorative Justice Facilitator, Trainer, Writer, and Theorist "This provocative book describes a bold thesis that links infants’ subcortical reactions to several contemporary social problems. Key foundational scholars who led Holinger to home in on the developmental processes integrating affect, cognition, and language in thought-provoking juxtapositions are identified. Vignettes nicely illustrate Holinger’s points and clinical implications are provided to make this book appealing to a wide range of readers, including parents, educators, therapists, and scientists." George W. Holden, PhD, Emeritus Professor, SMU President of the US Alliance to End the Hitting of Children "Paul Holinger conveys the wisdom of a lifetime as he synthesizes the latest research in child development and brings this to life with clinical examples, personal anecdotes, and quotes from thinkers from Aristotle to Martin Luther King. While the book’s title might seem daunting, it will prove enlightening and an enjoyable read for parents, clinicians, educators, policy makers, and pretty much anyone curious about how affect, cognition, and language apply to parenting, psychotherapy, and social policy." Arthur Nielsen, MD, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University; Faculty, Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute; and Author of A Roadmap for Couple Therapy and Integrative Couple Therapy in Action “Paul Holinger’s insightful exploration of the interplay between affect, cognition, and language represents a groundbreaking contribution to our comprehension of the development of children's emotions. The author skillfully integrates theory, clinical research, and personal experience, offering profound insights that inspire new avenues of inquiry into complex topics such as the genealogy of violence. In these troubled times, characterized by global societal turmoil, this book serves as an essential resource for anyone committed to better understanding the intricate relationship between the factors that shape adult behavior from its earliest stages." Alejandro Dagfal, PhD, Professor of History of Psychology, University of Buenos Aires; Head of the Center for the History of Psychoanalysis, National Library of Argentina; independent researcher, CONICET "In this very fine book, Paul Holinger presents us with a compelling view of the interplay of three essential information systems - affects, cognition, and language - in relation to child development, empathy, and clinical work. He demonstrates the convergence of these essential information systems, in relation to the vicissitudes of child development and the very personal interactions within the family. When a child’s affects, cognition, and language are misread in the family, it can tragically lead to isolation, frustration, and painful misunderstanding. Conversely, when families, teachers, and psychotherapists can accurately respond to a child’s attempts to connect, it can facilitate pleasurable engagement with the world, open doors to creativity, and promote an evolving sense of self. Beyond all that, Holinger links the typical failures in empathy and communication to their extremes in corporal punishment and the effects such punishment has on individuals and society. His writing is scientific, yet highly accessible, and often playful. As a scholar he does not simply present his ideas but illustrates them with engaging anecdotes, organizes them in an order that naturally unfolds, and contextualizes his ideas in the history of the field and in relation to the leading contributors that have preceded him. This is not just a good book, it’s an important book and one that you will learn something from. I certainly did." Daniel S. Benveniste, PhD, author of Libido, Culture, and Consciousness: Revisiting Freud’s Totem and Taboo