Child Development Theories Within The Field Of Psychology Essay

The primary focal point of the authoritarian style is on respect rather than parent-child relationships. Authoritarian parents are known for being strict. They lay out rules and expect their children to follow them without question, even if the child has a valid reason for questioning a decision. They establish many rules for the household and leave little or no room for negotiation on policies. Authoritarian parents also fail to explain why the rules exist because they believe that, as the parent, they are the authority on all decisions and shouldn’t be questioned.

According to Merriam-Webster, psychology is “the study of the human mind and its functions”. With psychology, we are able to understand and predict human behavior and overall understand how we think and process the world around us. In this research paper we will be discussing the most known theories of a specific branch of psychology, child development, then I will explain which theory of all I believe is right and why. Developmental psychology is the scientific study how and why human beings change over the course of their life. We will be discussing the following theories: Developmental Milestone, Cognitive Stages, Psychosocial Stages, and Psychosexual Stages, and Moral stages. Before we dive in we

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.

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).

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.

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)

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,

Authoritative parents know what they want their children to do, but they also treat them with respect and warmth. Children raised with this parenting style are independent, self-reliant, competent, and tend to do well in school. Authoritarian parents have strict guidelines, are very demanding, and do not respect or communicate well with their children. Their treatment of their children is cold and rejecting. This parenting style tends to cause hostility and resentment in children. The children are less confident, do not do as well academically or socially, and are often anxious and irritable. Permissive-indulgent parents are easy going and have low attempts to control their children. The children are treated with warmth and support. Children raised by permissive parents tend to be resourceful and have high self-esteem. However, research supports the idea that these children have less self-discipline and are less responsible than children from authoritative families. (Permissive Parenting) Rejecting-neglecting parenting involves having low demands for behavior and low attempts to control their children. “The children of neglectful parents are the least competent, responsible, and mature.” (Rathus, pg. 167)

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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