--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For the child whose impulsiveness is…" description: "\"For the child whose impulsiveness is indulged, who retains his primitive-discharge mechanisms, is not only an ill-behaved child but a child whose intel..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/841/selma-fraiberg-26204_action_for-the-child-whose-impulsiveness-is-ind_2707524.jpg" --- # For the child whose impulsiveness is indulged, who retains… ![“For the child whose impulsiveness is indulged, who retains his primitive-discharge mechanisms, is not only an ill-behaved child but a child whose intellectual development is slowed down. No matter how well he is endowed intellectually, if direct action and immediate gratification are the guiding…” quote by Selma Fraiberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/841/selma-fraiberg-26204_action_for-the-child-whose-impulsiveness-is-ind_2707524.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/841/selma-fraiberg-26204_action_for-the-child-whose-impulsiveness-is-ind_2707524.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/841/selma-fraiberg-26204_action_for-the-child-whose-impulsiveness-is-ind_2707524.jpg) > “For the child whose impulsiveness is indulged, who retains his primitive-discharge mechanisms, is not only an ill-behaved child but a child whose intellectual development is slowed down. No matter how well he is endowed intellectually, if direct action and immediate gratification are the guiding principles of his behavior, there will be less incentive to develop the higher mental processes, to reason, to employ the imagination creatively. . . .” [Selma Fraiberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/selma-fraiberg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Indulging impulsive, gratification‑seeking behavior hinders development of reasoning and imagination. **In simple terms:** Immediate gratification blocks higher mental growth. Key Takeaway Encourage delayed gratification and reflective thinking. Themes parenting development self‑control Mood concerned reflective Type advisory educational When to use this quote - education - child rearing - therapy - discipline - creative problem solving Key Concepts psychology cognitive development Questions to Reflect On - How can caregivers balance freedom and structure? - What activities foster imagination over instant reward? A Different Perspective Children may still develop higher functions with appropriate guidance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Direct action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/direct-action/) [Gratification](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gratification/) [Guiding principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guiding-principles/) [Ill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ill/) [Imagination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagination/) [Immediate gratification](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immediate-gratification/) [Impulsiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impulsiveness/) [Incentives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/incentives/) [Intellectual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intellectual/) [Intellectual development](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intellectual-development/) [Primitive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/primitive/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/process/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) ## Related quotes > [“A common misconception of education comes when the definition of education narrows to the intellectual. 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