HABIT ( THUMB AND DIGIT SUCKING) What is habit? Tendency towards an act that has become a repeated performance, relatively fixed, consistent and easy to perform by an individual. THUMB AND DIGIT SUCKING- Placement of the thumb or one or more fingers in varying depths into the mouth. It is normal till the age of 3 1/2- 4 years. ETIOLOGY- 1)Freudian theory- a) Proposed by sigmond freud. b) In the oral phase, it is believed to be ORO- EROTIC ZONE. ( The child has the tendency bto place his fingers or other object into the oral cavity.) 2) Oral drive theory of sears and wise - Prolonged suckling can lead to thumb sucking. 3) Benjamin's theory- Movement of head and tongue towards an object that touches his cheek . 4) Psychological aspect- Children deprived of parenteral love, care and affection resort to this habit. 5) Learned pattern- According to this thumb sucking ...