संवेग और समायोजन
Emotions and Adjustment
An emotion is a stirred-up state involving feeling, bodily change and behaviour. Adjustment is the process by which a person keeps a workable balance between his needs and the demands of his environment. Both decide far more of a primary child's school life than ability does.
Emotional development in Classes 1-5
Emotions in early childhood are intense, brief and easily switched. Through the primary years they become less explosive, longer lasting and better hidden. A Class 1 child cries loudly and forgets in five minutes; a Class 5 child hides the hurt and carries it home. Fears also change from the concrete (dark, dogs) to the social (being laughed at, failing a test).
Emotional intelligence
Popularised by Daniel Goleman and built on Salovey and Mayer's work, emotional intelligence has five components: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy and social skills. It predicts classroom success and friendship quality better than IQ alone, and unlike IQ it can be taught directly through discussion, stories and modelling.
Adjustment and defence mechanisms
When a need is blocked, frustration follows and the child adjusts, well or badly. Common defence mechanisms seen in primary classes:
| Mechanism | What it looks like in class |
|---|---|
| Rationalisation | 'The test was unfair' after a low mark |
| Projection | 'Everyone in the group was talking, not me' |
| Regression | A Class 3 child starts thumb-sucking after a new baby at home |
| Repression | A child cannot recall the incident that frightened him |
| Compensation | A poor sportsperson works hard to top in drawing |
| Sublimation | Aggressive energy redirected into competitive sport |
| Withdrawal | A child stops answering and sits at the back |
Signs of poor adjustment and what a teacher does
- Watch for a sudden drop in work, refusal to speak, frequent stomach aches before school, aggression or clinging.
- Talk to the child in private, without an audience; shame worsens maladjustment.
- Give the child a small, definite responsibility — it rebuilds belonging and competence.
- Involve the family with care and, where needed, the school counsellor.
- Model emotional naming: 'you look upset because your turn was missed' teaches self-awareness.
✗ Punish a child who becomes aggressive so the behaviour stops. | ✓ Aggression is usually a symptom of frustration; find the blocked need first.
संकेत: समायोजन (adjustment) = आवश्यकता और परिस्थिति के बीच संतुलन; रक्षा-युक्तियाँ (defence mechanisms) उसी संतुलन को बचाने के अचेतन तरीके हैं।
This topic gives 1-2 questions, most often a situation followed by 'the child is using which defence mechanism'. Learn them by their one-line signature: blaming others is projection, making excuses is rationalisation, behaving like a younger child is regression, redirecting an urge into a socially valued activity is sublimation. Compensation and sublimation are the two that are considered healthy. Emotional intelligence questions almost always ask for its components or for the fact that it can be developed.
Frequently asked questions
What is emotional intelligence and can it be taught?
It is the ability to recognise, understand and manage one's own and others' emotions, made up of self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy and social skills. Unlike IQ, it responds well to direct teaching and modelling.
What is the difference between rationalisation and projection?
Rationalisation invents an acceptable reason for one's own failure or behaviour. Projection attributes one's own faults or feelings to somebody else. Both protect self-esteem but in different directions.
How should a teacher handle an emotionally disturbed child?
Observe the pattern, speak to the child privately and without shaming, give a small responsibility that rebuilds belonging, involve the family sensitively, and seek counselling support where the behaviour persists.
60-second recap
- Emotions in primary years become less explosive and more concealed.
- Emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, social skills.
- Adjustment is the balance between the child's needs and the environment.
- Defence mechanisms: rationalisation, projection, regression, repression, compensation, sublimation.
- Aggression or withdrawal signals a blocked need, not a bad child.
Ab isi chapter ke questions CTET Paper 1 mock test me practice karo — Maslow, motivation aur personality ke sawaal wahin milenge.