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When the first two volumes in this series were reviewed here (Vol. 38, 1957, p. 365) the general pattern and underlying plan was described. The group taking part in the discussions now under review was much the same as the previous group, but the guests this time were D. Buckle from the World Health Organization, Erik Erikson, Julian Huxley, and Raymond de Saussure. The present volume differs from the previous two in much the same way that a concerto differs from a symphony; this time we have two virtuoso soloists whose contributions dominate the book, namely Margaret Mead and Erik Erikson.
The first section deals with the childhood genesis of sex differences in behaviour. This is discussed by Margaret Mead with a wealth of fascinating anthropological material, her aim being to elucidate what can be regarded as universal sex differences, and how much of what is often so regarded must be ascribed to cultural influences. She adduces a great many data which are clearly relevant and indicate the great importance of the latter factor; but she by no means denies the intrinsic differences, and does not advance any dogmatic thesis. She lays much stress on the part of the mother in teaching young children of either sex what is their sex rôle. As in previous volumes, many interesting and important points come up in the widely-ranging discussion, e.g. Mead's authoritative statement that the idea of a truly matriarchal society is pure fantasy; or the suggestion that the concept of the latency period is not applicable to the development of girls.
The rest of the book, its greater part, is chiefly concerned with presentations by Erikson. First he describes a method of play construction which he used in examining a series of 12-year-old children, with comments on the typical sexual differences as well as on other points revealed by this method. The next section is devoted to the exposition and lively discussion of what Erikson calls the syndrome of identity diffusion, with s