Identity: Youth, and Crisis, Essay Example

Compare and contrast 2 theorists and their contributions to child development.

The two theories chosen for analysis areattachment theory espoused byJohn Bowlby and MaryAinsworth (2008), and Erickson’s (1968) psychosocial development theory. In comparing the two theories they both explain significant stages of a child’s development. Attachment theory is relevant in education towards understanding how infants and young children are affected when attachment bounds are broken. Specifically, this theory falls into the category ofis a psychological, evolutionary and ethological classifications. Essentially, they provide descriptions and explains growth phenomena to the extent of providing profound interpretations regarding diversities occurring in interpersonal relations later in life.

Erickson’spsychosocial development theory while addressing interpersonal relationships accounts for them at different phases of the life course. He relates them to physical growth. For example, attachment developments is perceived as vital during infancy when he describes it as trust versus distrust; during toddler ages as autonomy versus shame and young adolescent industry versus inferiority (Erikson, 1968).

A marked contrast between the two theories, however, lie in explanations of how psychosocial development in the featured attachment task is achieved and maintained throughout childhood and beyond.John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth (2008) contend that infants attach to people other than parents because they seek protection or security from harm being separated from parents(Kobak & Madsen, 2008). Erickson explains this as trust and distrust to say that it is a natural psychosocial development among infants and toddlers(Erikson, 1968).

Whose model do you feel still is relevant today with children as they develop?

Erickson’s model will always be relevant because it goes beyond attachment towards explaining psychosocial linking it with physical aspect of development, which attachment theory failed to address.

Study to examine the effect of watching violent TV on children’s behavior

Bukatko and Daehler (2013)’s Child Development: A Thematic Approach relates five themes pertaining to child development. They are, nature and nurture, sociocultural influence, continuity/discontinuity, interaction among domains, and Risk/Resilience. Chapter 2 offered examples of experimental and cross-sectional studies illustrated in meta-analyses(Bukatko& Daehler, 2013).

Study

Objective

• To determine the psychosocial effects of violent television shows on children behavior.

Background

Research studies reveal that the average American child watches a minimum of 4 hours television daily. Conclusions drawn confirmed that television could be a strong influence in shaping values that form behavior patterns. Precisely violent movies have a greater impact on negative behavior patterns (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2014)

Variables

Children behavior; violent movies; television, violent tendencies

Methodology

• Survey

Instrument– questionnaire will be administered to a sample of parents with children who watch violent movies consistently for more than four hours a day.

Data collection procedures – Two groups’ survey. Group 1:

• Parents will be asked to observe their children behavior for over a month, who have been watching violent movies. They will record significant changes in behavior questionnaires

Group 1:

• Parents will be asked to observe their children behavior for over a month, who have not watched violent movies. They will record significant changes in behavior questionnaires

Data analysis – survey monkey tool

Rationale for survey methodology

Surveys are less costly than cross-sectional or experimental studies. Even though it is not less adopted when conducting research in psychology in this case since the sample is purposive the method is most convenient.

References

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (2014). Children and TV violence. Retrieved on August 28^th from  http://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/Facts_for_Families_Pages/Children_And_TV_Violence_13.aspx

Erikson, Erik H. (1968). Identity: youth, and crisis. New York: W.W. Norton

Bukatko, D., &Daehler, M. (2013).Child Development: A Thematic Approach.  Wadsworth Publishing

Kobak R, Madsen S (2008). Disruption in Attachment Bonds. New York and London: Guilford Press