All evidence points to the crucial importance of social experience in personality development. Human beings can recover from abuse and short-term isolation. But there is a point—precisely when is un-...

All evidence points to the crucial importance of social experience in personality development. Human beings can recover from abuse and short-term isolation. But there is a point—precisely when is un- clear from the small number of cases studied—at which isolation in childhood causes permanent developmental damage. Check Your Learning What do studies of isolated children teach us about the importance of social experience?