Child Development Theories Within The Field Of Psychology Essay

Developmental theory, with Piaget as the most prominent theorist, presents the idea that children actively construct knowledge as they manipulate and explore the world around them. Development is seen to take place in broad stages from birth through to adulthood, with each stage characterized by qualitatively distinct ways of thinking. However, some developmental theorists, in contrast to Piaget, place more emphasis on personal, social and emotional development rather than cognitive development and prefer to delay ‘academic’ experiences until later, for instance after the age of seven years in Steiner’s theory.

When an infant arrives in the world they are helpless tiny humans who depend on adults for every need from love, to feeding them. It is amazing how these tiny babies grow into adults able to make decisions and become self-dependent. There are many theories about how children develop and what roles the environment plays, what people affect their lives and how events can shape their personalities. Some of these children have and easy life and some have a harder time making that journey to adulthood.

The authoritarian parenting style is a style in which the parent has the only say. This parenting style “is based on obedience and the expectation of a child obeying without an explanation required” (McMillian). Authoritarian parents are more likely to discipline their children. Children of authoritarian parents don’t often get

Authoritarian parents normally do not interact with their children in positive ways and usually install fear into the child. Punishment is usually harsh and given without explanation. Children with authoritarian parents are often anxiety- ridden. Studies have shown that these children have lower self- esteem, show high aggressiveness and typically do less well in school. Permissive parenting consists of high nurture and acceptance, but these parents lack structure and control. These parents look at their children as “free spirits” who need space to learn and grow. Permissive parents are usually inconsistent with discipline. Children with permissive parents normally are impulsive and irresponsible. These children also lack any self- control since none was expected (Sclafani 47).

This assignment will discuss the main theories of child development and discuss the main principles across all area of development. The assignment will also evaluate an observation conducted on a child and link their behaviour to relevant child development theories. The assignment will firstly highlight some child development theories from behaviourists such as Bandura, humanists such as Maslow and constructivists such as Piaget. Secondly the child’s observation will be discussed and evaluated here relevant link to development theories will be made. Lastly the assignment will finish off with a reflection. Jennie Lindon defines development as” the sequence of physical and psychological changes experienced by human beings, which start with conception and continue throughout life.”(Jennie Lindon 2012:5) the early year’s foundation stage (EYTS) framework states that there are seven areas of learning and development however they view some are more important these are called the prime areas of development. There are three prime areas of development these are: communication and language, physical development, personal social and emotional development. The EYFS also states that “children develop in different ways at different times” (Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage 2014) which is why the development matters promote the message that every child is unique and has their own way of learning. (Development matters in the Early years Foundation Stage (EYFS) 2012)

The way a parent parents a child has a dramatic effect on a child’s development. In fact, research has revealed that parenting styles can impact a child’s cognitive, psychological, and social growth, which affects children in the childhood years, teenage years and adolescence. The reason is that children develop through a number of stimuli, communication, and conversation, which surround them. Families provide a structured environment in which a child lives while parents serve as role models and have a influence on their growth which can influence them either in a positive or negative way. This paper discusses the four parenting styles Diana Baumrind identified through extensive observation, interviews and analyses.

Adults who adopt an authoritarian style have high or unrealistic for children’s conduct and devote most of their time to enforcing those standers. Children who interact with authoritarian adults tend to display a variety of negative perceptions and behaviors. Some of these are aggressiveness, aimlessness, fearfulness, hostility, irresponsibility, low achievement, low self-esteem, low self-reliance, low self-control, suspiciousness, unfriendliness,

Authoritarian parenting style has an impact – either positive or negative – on children’s social and emotional development. Authoritarian parents generally raise children who are obedient and proficient because they are trained to be one when they were little. Moreover, Marsiglia et al (2007) states that “Children and adolescents from authoritarian families tend to perform moderately well in school and to be less involved in problem behaviors than children and adolescents from permissive families”. They are able to control aggressive impulses and not coercive toward parents (Patterson, 1976, as cited in Singh, 2007)

Using the principles of development learned in this course the authoritarian parent and the uninvolved parent could both make significant changes in order to promote better individual development and growth. A child may develop an aggressive behavior with an authoritarian parent and their externalizing and internalizing problems stem from this type of parenting style. (Braza, P. 2015) The authoritarian parent expects their child to be absolutely obedient and this often times leads to the child having a higher than normal likely of getting in trouble. These kinds of parents keep control of their children’s behaviors as much as possible and create firm rules so the child knows the consequences of breaking the rules. Authoritarian parents develop similar patterns of parenting within the other sources of child-bearing. Authoritarian parents often times score higher due to children searching for independence in the developmental process which increases conflicts. (Luyckx, K. 2011) Often time’s children from these authoritarian families can be less resourceful and have a lower self-esteem. Authoritarian parents create a solid behavior process for their children but often create the idea that a child must lie to do what he or she wants to do. A parent in this aspect can be so focused on their child always following the rules that once a child makes a

Authoritarian is only one of three parenting styles that Baumrind details. The other two styles include authoritative and permissive. These two variations in parenting styles were seen in the way my relatives and friends’ parents approached parenting. I observed how the parents of my close friend handled parenting. They maintained control over aspects in my friend’s life like school and chores but allowed the freedom to make decisions in areas of social activities. The most striking difference between my parents and my friend’s is the use of reasoning and the expression of warmth. Her parents provided justification behind their commands and or punishments while maintaining a sense of love and affection. The bond and love that is evident between my friend and her parents is not as strong in the relationship between my parents and me. The style that her parents exhibit is known as authoritative because of their focus on some parental control, use of reasoning and warmth. While on the other hand, my cousins raised their children in a completely different manor using a permissive parenting style. While they provide obvious love and affection towards their children, they fail to exert control and regulations. They did not have any real sense of rules in their household. Their children tend to act and do whatever they wanted with little to no repercussions.

The monarchic, extremely controlling type of technique tolerates low acceptance, exercises punishment, is low in involvement, and grants the child little to no autonomy. In other words, authoritarian parents do not explain the importance of following rules; instead, if a child questions the rules or regulations, the parents give them the “my way or the highway” type of response. There is parent-to-child communication, but a strong lack in child-to-parent communication. Berk (2013) shows that when compared to other types of parenting, authoritarian-parented children in middle childhood and adolescence receive lower grades, self-esteem, independence, and develop anxiety and or depression. In addition, authoritarian-reared children are typically influenced greatly by their peers and distance themselves from their parents—which results in an avoidant or disorganized attachment. However, Berk (2013) makes note that since the parents are very controlling, a child who has authoritarian parents commits fewer unsociable acts and receives higher grades than children who have permissive or uninvolved parents. Overall, without a secure attachment, an authoritarian-reared child typically lacks developmentally in self-esteem and emotional self-regulation

For authoritarian parents, rules are far more important than relationship. These parents hold high demands for their children’s behavior because they believe their kids are in need of adult’s control to manage their actions. They are very strict and controlling. They have the need for obedience and may use excessive punishment to force the child to follow their rules or directions. Authoritarian parents believe this type of parenting is helpful at keeping the children out of trouble. These high standards can hurt the relationship between the parent and child. Although authoritarian parents love their children, they are not responsive. They show little affection and have no acknowledgment of their children’s opinions. As the result, the children are allowed to have little verbal exchange and are emotionally detached. This style of parenting can lead to child’s social incompetence. Children fail to initiate activity as well as having weak communication skills. The children of authoritarian parents are often obedient, quiet, unhappy, fearful, and anxious about themselves. Because these children are not free to express themselves, they turn the angers toward themselves. The internalization of anger can lead to lower

Having authoritarian parents can be unhealthy and make a child’s life difficult. Authoritarian parents can be very controlling and have very little warmth. For instance in DOC A, one invoke phrases such as “you will do because…..I said and I’m the parent….you’re not. It’s a poor choice to become an authoritarian parent because one child will become rebellious and might display aggressive behavior

Children with authoritarian parents often follow rules, but has low self-esteem and has fear of punishment and some may be aggressive because of how strict the parents are. Where children who grew up with authoritative parents are often happy and independent and knows how to solve things by themselves. Children with permissive parents often doesn’t follow rules and may show behavioural problems. While children with uninvolved parents tend to lack self-esteem and is emotionally sad and often has behaviour problems. Positive and Negative effects may come from different styles of parenting. The child’s development may depend on what style of parenting their parents

To start with, authoritarian is the “because I said so” parents, it is both unresponsive and demanding. The main characteristics of this style is that parents are very strictly and controlling. Open communication is generally not an option in this type of parenting style. They expect their orders to be obeyed without question. Authoritarian parents feel they are the boss and their children should conform to their demands without question. Kids from authoritarian families may be relatively well-behaved. But they also tend to be less resourceful, have poorer social skills, and lower self-esteem. The rules are expected to be followed to with no room for