Symbolic behaviour in the young child is closely related to the symbolic thought of this age. This thought is based on the early types of mental representation or imagery, with its particular characteristics. Dysfunctional types of this behaviour, despite their symbolism, should not be taken as indications of neurotic illness. Such an illness should be diagnosed on the basis of developmental as well as clinical findings. It is proposed that the establishment of conceptual thinking (secondary process) may be a necessary precondition for the development of the neurotic symptom, which is a highly composite and structured behaviour.
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