A Look into Child Development Theory

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the theorized ways to define human developmental stages, looking specifically at the 19th century psychologists, Jean Piaget, who analyzed cognitive development, Mary Rothbart, who studied temperament, and John Bowlby, who researched attachment. Although all three studied the manner by which individuals develop from an embryo into a full grown adult, primarily focusing on the factors that establish intelligence, personality, morality, and lifestyle, this papers aims to describe how each has proceeded down different avenues of study. Specifically, this paper demonstrates their differences in approach by seeing how they viewed an 18-month-old child's level of development. Through this example, the paper briefly summarizes the major findings of each developmental psychologist. The paper concludes that the parents of an 18-month-old recognizes that there is a combination of nurture and nature that influences their child.

From the Paper:

"Children differ from one other from early in life, which have important implications for parent/child interaction. An irritable infant, for instance, is predisposed to insecure attachment, which is likely due in part to the mother's increased ignoring. Psychologists as Rothbart (Kohnstamm & Martin, 1994) are just beginning to look at how the ratings on such questionnaires in early life correspond to later behavior and personality. For example, the approach-related dimensions of infant and child temperament seem to relate to the Big Five personality dimension of Extraversion/Surgency. However, the temperamental dimension of effortful control may also impact the expression of approach-related tendencies. Similarly, anxiety-related dimensions of infant and child temperament seem to relate to Neuroticism/Negative Emotionality.
"From birth, Jeffrey was a 'very temperamental baby.' He was difficult getting to sleep, he cried easily and for long periods of time, he was very fussy. When tested on the IBQ at the age of 12 months, there was a greater tendency for becoming distressed, taking longer to reduce this distress and a longer time being soothed. This behavior is noticeable at 18 months of age as well. Where many children go through the 'terrible twos,' Jeffrey seems to continually go through this stage. His parents are trying not to respond too negatively to this behavior for fear that it causes further aggravation. The hope is to help Jeffrey as he gets older learn how to better handle his temperament"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bowlby, J (1969) Attachment and Loss. New York: Basic Books.
• Encyclopedia of Psychology. (2008) Jean Piaget. Retrieved June 1, 2008. http://www.psychology.org/
• Kohnstamm, G.A., & Martin, R.P. (1994). The developing structure of temperament and personality from infancy to adulthood. Hillside, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
• Rothbart, M.K. (1981). Measurement of temperament in infancy. Child Development 52, 569-578.
• Rothbart, M.K., & Bates, J.E. (1998). Temperament. In W. Damon (Series Ed.) & N. Eisenberg (Vol. Ed.), Handbook of child psychology: Vol. 3. Social, emotional and personality development (pp. 105-176). New York: Wiley.

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